- WSL / Damien Poullenot
- WSL / Damien Poullenot

In her first two contests as a full-time Championship Tour competitor back in 2010, Carissa Moore lost three heats to Sally Fitzgibbons. By her third event, the TSB Bank NZ Surf Festival, Moore got rolling. She beat her friend Coco Ho in Round 3 for her first heat win, then went the distance, smashing Fitzgibbons in the Final with a near-perfect heat score of 19.16 out of 20.

Nine years later, in her opening round victory at the Oi Rio Pro, Moore has captured the 250th heat win of her career. In classic, casual Moore fashion, she was caught off guard by the milestone.

Carissa Moore on 250th Heat Win
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Moore advances into the Round of 16 on Opening Day of the Oi Rio Pro, earning the 250th heat win of her career.

"I honestly didn't really know that it was until I came in and someone told me on the broadcast, but I'm really happy. It's really cool," said Moore.

Currently ranked third in the world, a mere 860 points from catching up to World No.1 Stephanie Gilmore, Moore is one of the most successful competitors in Rio. She took out the inaugural Rio Pro in 2011, then finished runner-up in 2014. She also has four Semifinal appearances. The only time she's missed Finals day was in 2017 when she was knocked out early and had to settle for a 13th-place finish.

Her Seeding Round win at this year's event keeps her on track both in Rio and in terms of the World Title race. Consistency has been key for her this season, and with a good head space in Brazil, she could be setting herself up for a statement-making run as things get down to the business end.

MARGARET RIVER, WESTERN AUSTRALIA - JUNE 4: Three-time WSL Champion Carissa Moore of Hawaii s eliminated from the 2019 Margaret River Pro with an equal 3rd finish after placing second in Semi Final Heat 2 at Main Break on June 4, 2019 in Margaret River, W Carissa Moore at the last event in Margaret River. - WSL / Matt Dunbar

"It's been a fun season so far," said Moore. "It was just nice to go home and press reset so that week at home definitely meant a lot."

Confident and building momentum, heat win 251 may not be too far behind.

Watch the Oi Rio Pro live June 20-28 on Worldsurfleague.com, App and Facebook.

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