Suffering “Heartbreaking” Loss in 2021, Carissa Moore’s Brazilian Rival Not Ready to Call It a Day

From becoming a stunt double for Bethany Hamilton in Soul Surfer to challenging surfers for the World Championship, Tatiana Weston-Webb keeps her waves close. The 2023 Pan American Games shortboard champion has battled her way to the top of her career with no salt left behind. Yet, the Women’s WSL Championship Tour 2021 marked the pinnacle of her progress. Going wave-to-wave with American surf queen Carissa Moore, the Brazilian surfer aims to go one step further and claim her gold medal. For Moore, it’s about winning consecutive gold medals!

After her success at the Tokyo Olympics, the five-time World Champion has her targets locked in. Tatiana Weston-Webb, too, is determined to move past the disappointment of her ‘heartbreaking’ loss in 2021. However, she won’t be swept away by setbacks!

During the final in 2021, Moore won the contest by scoring 16.60 in the last heats, while Tatiana managed 14.20. With the waves crashing to the boards thick and fast, the surfers tried to catch the perfect spiral for a great score. Although Tatiana Weston Webb fetched a massive wave, she faltered at the last section, owing to her loss. It still hurts her!

Carissa Moore vs. Tatiana Weston-Webb 2.0!

In an interview with Mitchell Salazar, Weston-Webb reveals to challenge the American surfing icon in Paris. She stated, “I am very proud of myself for getting very close to a World title in 2021. I think that battle against Carissa was something I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” reminiscing about the sensational tide battle. “And even though it was heartbreaking to lose, it was now, looking back, an incredible performance on my part and hers. There are so many things that I can sit here and pick apart my career,” mentioned Tatiana. 

Significantly, the competition had three heats, and the Hawaiian surfer lost the first round. Tatiana scored 15.20 to Carissa’s 14.06. Yet, Carissa used her waves to her advantage and stormed back to excite the crowd at the Lower Trestles- the surfing jewel of Southern California. With that loss on top of her mind, Tatiana remains focused on the next step ahead.

She finds comfort in her thoughts and states, “But I just have to sit back and look at the humanity of everything and tell myself, like hey, you did a great job, and you’re still doing a good job, and keep it up. Because it’s not easy, and we deserve that empathy and respect for ourselves.”

While Carissa Moore aims to extend her dominance, Tatiana Weston-Webb aims to end her dominance. The two will battle it out at the 2024 Paris Olympics to decide the ultimate winner.

This is it! There is no turning back for Tatiana. Either she performs for the ages, or Carissa Moore will catch her perfect wave yet again!

Who do you think will win the contest? Let us know in the comments below.