RAGLAN, New Zealand - Olympic gold medalists Italo Ferreira of Brazil and Carissa Moore of Hawaii won the New Zealand Pro on Monday, after a photographer's injury briefly halted competition.
Ferreira defeated Australia's Morgan Cibilic with a thrilling aerial display, scoring 17.50 to Cibilic's 15.80. The Tokyo gold medalist now leads the world rankings.
Moore, returning after a break for her first child, beat 20-year-old Californian Sawyer Lindblad in the final, 17.9 to 16.67. The five-time world champion scored 19 out of 20 in her semi-final, the year's highest women's total.
The event was delayed when an in-water photographer suffered puncture wounds from what officials believe was either a shark or a sea lion. The photographer is in stable condition. The World Surf League's vice president noted uncertainty about the animal, calling the incident "very scary."
The tour next heads to El Salvador for the Surf City Pro.