Breaking News: Caroline Marks Beats Carissa Moore, Wins 2023 World Title

Caroline Marks has officially won the 2023 WSL World Title.

The 21-year-old Floridian, who was ranked number three in the world heading into Finals Day, took down 5x Hawaiian World Champ, Carissa Moore, in the best-of-three, winner-take-all final matchup at San Clemente’s Lower, Trestles on Saturday.

“There’s definitely going to be an afterparty later,” Marks said, “and everyone is invited.”

On the women’s side, this marks the first time a goofy-footer has won the World Title since 2005 with Australia’s Chelsea Georgeson.

For Florida, this is the first women’s World Title since the great Lisa Andersen, who won her last of four consecutive Titles in 1997.

And fellow Floridian, Kelly Slater, shared his congratulations:

“Apologies for the bad quality screengrab but huge congrats to @caroline_markss on her maiden @wsl world title and another for the state of #Florida! The potential has been there for years so it’s great to see it come together for you, Caroline! Great job. 👏🏽🙌🏽

“Condolences but great surfing this year to @rissmoore10 who has been the form surfer on tour for many years now and will surely continue being in the title running for many years to come. 🌺”

As for Carissa, this is the second year in a row in which she has been in the number one ranking spot heading into Finals Day, only to lose it in the best-of-three showdown. Last year, she fell to Stephanie Gilmore, who came all the way from number five for the win.

What's more, with a World Title and finishing the year with a higher seed above fellow Team USA hopeful, Caity Simmers, Marks has officially, provisionally locked in her spot for the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she'll compete alongside Moore at Teahupo'o.

From the water, post win, WSL commentator Strider Wasilewski declared:

“The grom just won the world title!”

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