Women's CT Season Preview

The World Surf League’s Women’s World Championship Tour is as strong as it’s ever been, and the talent pool seems to get deeper on an annual basis.  A couple of years ago, the Women’s CT was extremely top-heavy, with really just a few surfers that had a legitimate shot of winning an event. Things are becoming more balanced now, which is great for the tour. Let’s take a look at the Top 5 surfers in the 2016 Go Left Projected Rankings for the Women’s CT:

1. Carissa Moore, Hawaii

We currently have the pleasure of watching perhaps the best competitive female surfer in history in Carissa Moore. Just 23 years of age, Moore has already won three World Titles in five years on tour, and I think picking her over the field to win it all in 2016 is the smart move. Carissa is the best surfer of them all right now, and I can’t see that changing any time soon. She’s won nearly ¾ of her career heats, a staggering number, and she simply looks the part in the water every time she paddles out. Her consistency, ability to surf well in all conditions and competitive drive make her a no-brainer for the top spot on this list. Oh, and there’s the fact that she won the World Title in 2015.

Carissa Moore is the best surfer on the Women's CT.
Courtesy of chde.eu

2. Tyler Wright, Australia

This may be mostly a gut call, but I think 2016 is going to be Tyler Wright’s best season yet. I am a big fan of her surfing, as she is the most powerful shredder on the Women’s CT. She won in France last year while consistently making quarterfinals throughout much of the season. She’s not flashy, but when she gets the chance to really rip off some big turns there is nobody that can match her raw aggression and power on open faces. If she can take advantage of that in events like Bells, Margaret River and Maui she could be in the running for the World Title. I don’t see anyone beating Carissa, but I like Tyler a lot this year.

3. Courtney Conlogue, USA

Courtney Conlogue seemed to be on the verge of putting it all together for a couple of years, and in 2015 it all happened. She won three events and finished second on tour after having a shot at the World Title going into the Target Pro. Interestingly, she didn’t make a final in any contest aside from the three she won, but there is little doubt that she’s an elite surfer. I dropped her to third in the Go Left rankings only because I expect such big things from Tyler Wright this season.

4. Stephanie Gilmore, Australia

The only real question relating to Steph Gilmore is her health, but it’s a big question. She missed most of last season due to injury, and she is the elder stateswoman (yet still just 28) in the elite group of the Women’s CT. However, she remains the only other surfer aside from Carissa Moore to win a World Title since the young Hawaiian joined the ranks. It was difficult to figure out where to rank Gilmore coming off last season, but this feels like the right spot. She’s won an amazing six World Titles; can she make it a seventh? I wouldn’t rule out the possibility if she can stay healthy and locked in all season long, but her injury history drops her to fourth in the rankings.

Is Steph Gilmore set for a bounce-back 2016 season?
Courtesy of surfglassy

5. Sally Fitzgibbons

I like Sally Fitzgibbons a lot, but I just couldn’t rank her any higher. Carissa, Courtney and Steph have more style, and Tyler has more power. That kind of leaves Sally in no-man’s land, and while being ranked fifth is nothing to be ashamed of it’s clear that Fitzgibbons craves a World Title. She’s a notoriously hard worker, and I’d love to see it pay off and win her the crown. It’s going to be quite the challenge, though.

Follow Morgan, founder of Go Left, on Twitter @GoLeftSurf