For Carissa Moore, the reigning Olympic surfing champion, the goal was clear.
Gold medal or bust.
But the plan fell short, with the American surfer losing in the quarterfinals of the women’s competition early Friday. Her bid to cap a stellar career in golden style ended when she lost a quarterfinals heat to France’s Johanne Defray in Teahupo’o, Tahiti.
Moore left the World Surf League (WSL) in 2023 to focus on preparing for the Paris Games, spending two months at an Olympic surf site in Tahiti rather than competing on tour.
“And when you come up short of a dream, it sucks,’’ Moore wrote on Instagram on Friday. “But at the same time, how fun was it? I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
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“I would’ve been so bummed if I looked back and had done this halfheartedly. I went all in. And I just hope that at the end of the day, I can encourage whoever’s watching — win or lose.’’
Moore, 31, is a five-time world champion who validated her greatness in 2021 by winning gold at the Tokyo Games in surfing’s Olympic debut.
She said that triumph and fifth world title later in the year left her at a crossroads: What else might fulfil her before potentially starting a family with her husband, Luke, or focusing on priorities out of the water?
Eventually, Moore decided to leave the WSL Tour. (She competed in two events but gave up her full-time status since joining the WSL more than a decade ago.)
“Don’t be afraid to go into it fearlessly and don’t be afraid to fail,’’ Moore wrote Friday. “The process has been so much fun. I feel like there’s been a lot of personal growth in and out of the water, and I’m really proud of my backside barrel riding.
“I caught some waves I never thought I would’ve ever caught in my whole life in this process. Obviously I’m really sad to not be a part of Finals Day and get to represent my home and my family one more time, but I’m really grateful. I couldn’t have imagined a better place to finish off my career.”
Moore has said she still will surf competitively, but has not provided details.
