Bianca Buitendag upset the women’s world title race and ended her year strongly by making the semifinals of the Target Maui Pro held at Honolua Bay, Hawaii, finishing seventh on tour overall for 2014.

Bianca getting busy on her backhand.

Local contender Carissa Moore (HAW) won the event beating Tyler Wright (AUS) in the finals, putting an end to Wright’s chances of a maiden ASP World Title. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) consequently ended the year as the over-all points leader, and the 2014 ASP World Champion.

Bianca opened up her account by winning her Round 1 Heat 6 with an excellent 18.47, which sent her straight through to Round 3 where she scored an 8.83, backed by a 6.17 taking her on to Round 4. After a convincing win over Australia’s Dimity Stoyle in her Heat 3 of Round 4, Bianca found herself up against Australia’s Sally Fitzgibbons, a multiple CT event winner and three times world title runner-up.

Dimity Stoyle (AUS) taking out her Round 2 win, awaiting elimination in her Round 4 Heat against Bianca Buitendag (RSA).

The Vic Bay local did extremely well to hold her own and narrowly took the heat win with a combined heat score total of 15.97 to trump Fitzgibbons’ 15.33, effectively smashing any chance Fitzgibbons had of winning her maiden world title.

The Semifinals were loaded, with local favourite Carissa Moore (HAW) and Courtney Conlogue (USA) facing off in Heat 1 while Bianca Buitendag (RSA) found herself up against Tyler Wright (AUS).

Wright has been a standout favourite for this year’s title race, juggling top position all season, with now six-time World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS). While Bianca was unfortunate to lose against Wright in the Semi’s, it was an inspiring end to a great season. Bianca put on a ferocious performance, taking out some big names in the process, and has solidified her name as a future Woman’s ASP world title contender.

Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), beyond stoked to claim her sixth ASP World Title victory.

The Hawaiians will be stoked with a local victory, compliments of Carissa Moore (HAW) who finished third over-all on the Woman’s ASP World Tour rankings.

It’s no wonder the Target Maui Pro boasts Maui’s best point break.

Check out the finals wrap-up video here: