Carissa Moore and Italo Ferreira have emerged victorious at the 2026 Corona Cero New Zealand Pro Presented by Bonsoy, claiming the top spots in epic four-to-five-foot waves at Raglan’s Manu Bay. The two Olympic Gold Medalists and former World Champions both claimed their first Championship Tour (CT) victories since becoming parents, defeating Sawyer Lindblad and Morgan Cibilic, respectively, in the historic finals.
Before the champions were crowned, finals day was placed on a lengthy hold following a rare ‘code red’ wildlife incident in the water during the men’s Semifinals. WSL veteran photographer Ed Sloane sustained minor puncture wounds to his ankle from an unconfirmed animal, with some social media reports suggesting a seal. Ed was safely transported to the hospital in stable condition. Event officials monitored the lineup with jet skis and drones, eventually resuming the competition once the area was cleared.
Carissa Moore’s Historic Return to the Podium
In the women’s Final, five-time World Champion Carissa Moore faced off against 2024 Rookie of the Year Sawyer Lindblad. The heat was an intense back-and-forth battle; after Moore opened with an 8.50, Lindblad answered with a massive 9.00 via searing forehand carves, putting Moore in need of an 8.18. With only six minutes remaining, Moore found a steep inside section and delivered three powerful backhand blasts to score a 9.40, finishing with an incredible 17.90 heat total.
This victory is exceptionally significant for Moore, as it marks her 29th CT win and her first since stepping away in 2023 to welcome her daughter, ‘Olena. “This is for the moms, never stop dreaming if you want to,” Moore said. “When I walked away two years ago, I didn’t know if I’d ever get this feeling back or this opportunity to surf perfect waves with only one other person out in front of a beautiful crowd and at a beautiful place with my family on the beach. In that process, you doubt yourself so much, and so I think the win means so much to me. I do want to say thank you to my husband because without him, this wouldn’t be possible. To my beautiful daughter, who is adapting to all these conditions and places we’re going, I couldn’t do it if she weren’t willing to; she has given me a strength that I didn’t even know I had. And my dad, he’s here. For me, this feels like a really full-circle moment with him. Our first CT win was here in New Zealand, and so to have it with him here is really cool. And my sister was here, and all my family at home has been so special. I really want to dedicate this win to Greg Browning, my friend who passed away last year. He is the most spectacular human I’ve ever met, and he is the example that I think we all should strive to be because he lived with kindness and love and treated people well because that’s what matters.” Moore said, dedicating the win to her family and her late friend Greg Browning.
Ferreira Reclaims World No. 1 in Electric Final
On the men’s side, Italo Ferreira showcased his electric frontside surfing against the critical backside snaps of Australia’s Morgan Cibilic. Cibilic put the pressure on early, smashing massive vertical re-entries to earn an 8.90. Unfazed by the deficit, Ferreira responded spectacularly by landing back-to-back air-reverses on a single wave to score a massive 9.33.
The victory marks Ferreira’s 11th CT win and secures his return to the World No. 1 ranking, meaning he will wear the Yellow Leader Jersey at the upcoming Surf City El Salvador Pro. Attributing his fresh competitive drive to his wife and newborn son, the Brazilian champion celebrated the win by embracing his new “dad power”.
“I’m so stoked to win a comp on a left, like a real left, because in the past we’ve had Teahupo’o, Pipe, some big ones, but not a perfect one,” Ferreira said. “I was like, ok, this can be my comp, because I’ve been surfing so much, dedicating a lot. I’ve been on the road for two months, without my kid, without my wife. I was like, ok, it’s time to put all the energy into this event. I just want to say thank you to God for everything. The opportunity to stay here, to be here, to win this comp, to have a great family, to have a beautiful history behind me, and I’m still going. That’s my energy. I’m creating a new life right now, and it’s been so sick. Dad’s power, right? I’m so happy.”
Surf City El Salvador Pro Presented by Corona Cero
The Surf City El Salvador Pro Presented by Corona Cero, Stop No. 5 of the 2026 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), will hold a competition window from June 5 – 15, 2026.
