“Start of the year you don’t know how you’re going to come back, and I was feeling good, but with this beach you never know so what a way to start it.

“It’s going to be a long road and I’m just getting the legs ready to run that road, so I’m going to try and go all the way.”

Losing the final in the last two tour events in Hawaii, five-time world champion Moore edged Wright with a combined two-wave score of 11 points to 10.

Wright and Moore met in the final in Hawaii in 2021 when the Maui Pro was relocated to Pipeline from Honolua Bay due to a shark scare, with Wright then taking the trophy.

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Moore also finished second in the Billabong Pro last year, losing to Moana Jones Wong in an upset.

But this time she was all smiles.

In a low-scoring final, with the lead changing several times, Moore set up the victory with barrel ride that judges scored a 7.17.

Wright could only manage two scores of 5.0 and bombed her last wave with just over a minute left on the clock.

Moore was ranked No.1 for most of 2022 before being beaten by fifth-ranked Stephanie Gilmore in the WSL final.

“I’m so happy I have so many emotions - this win has been a few years in the making,” Moore said.

“After finishing the season the way I did last year it’s nice to come away with a win and wipe that slate clean.”

AAP

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