Carissa Moore wins opening race at Paris Olympics

Reigning gold medalist Carissa Moore started the Paris Olympics well, winning her heat to close out the first round of the women’s surfing competition in Teahupo’o, Tahiti.

The former Punahou student competed in the eighth and final heat and won with a score of 16.50 over two waves, beating Japan’s Shino Matsuda (11.16) and Portugal’s Teresa Bonvalot (10.34).

Moore advances to the third round on Monday by winning her heat, with the other two surfers set to compete in the second round scheduled for Sunday.

Moore’s total score was only bettered by her compatriot Caroline Marks, who achieved a score of 17.93 in the first heat.

All three members of Team USA won their heat.

Tatiana Weston-Webb of Kauai, competing for Brazil in her second Olympics, finished second in her heat and will compete again on Sunday.

Weston-Webb finished with a score of 10.33 behind Caitlin Simmers of the United States, who recorded two golf scores of at least 6.43.

Weston-Webb scored a 5.83 and a 4.50 on her two best waves.

The semi-finals and final of the event are scheduled for Tuesday.