OCEANSIDE — Coco Ho took the Supergirl Pro win on July 24, out-surfing more than 100 top female surfers who were vying for first place, $10,000 and points to qualify for the Women’s World Surf League Tour.
The final heat between Ho and fellow Hawaii surfer Malia Manuel brought some of the the best conditions in the three-day competition. Waves from 2 to 4 feet had shape, and winds subsided from previous days.
During the final heat Ho scored a nearly perfect 9 out 10 points on one of her two waves as crowds of spectators watched from Oceanside Pier and the beach. Ho won the competition with a score of 14.50. Manuel came in a strong second with a score of 13.27.
Ho surfed well throughout the competition. Semifinal scores were Ho 13.33, Manuel 10.26, and third-place winner Laura Enever, of Australia, 9.67.
After the final heat fans greeted Ho and Moore as they exited the water, and Ho was announced the winner. To celebrate her win, event crew and friends hoisted her onto their shoulders for a victory carry to shore.
An awards ceremony at the pier amphitheater followed.
Ho said there are a lot of competitions still ahead for her, but the Supergirl Pro win gives her a needed mental edge going forward after coming up short of a top score in competitions during the previous six months.
She said to reset herself from a performance slump, she recently changed everything from her training routine to her surfboards.
The win moves Ho from No. 21 to No. 6 in the Women’s Qualifying Series (QS) World Surf League rankings, and puts her above the cutoff to re-qualify for the Championship Tour.
This is the third Supergirl Pro win for Ho, who won two victories as a junior.
Manuel currently sits at No. 1 in QS rankings. Both Manuel and Ho said they will focus on competitions that lay ahead in the second half of the year.
Enever ranks No. 10 in the QS, and is working to re-qualify.
The next qualifying event takes place in Cornwall, England, Aug. 10 to Aug. 14.
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