Instincts forged by a decade on the World Surf League tour told top-ranked Carissa Moore that this was it, a fourth world championship was finally about to be hers even before the judges’ scores were posted.

But the struggles endured in a three-year wait since her last title prompted hit-the-brakes caution.

So, Moore paced in the locker room at the Lululemon Maui Pro in an emotional tug of war, attempting to maintain focus in case she had to go head-to-head with No. 2-ranked Caroline Marks in the semifinals.

Only when it was announced that Stephanie Gilmore had, indeed, eliminated the 17-year-old Marks in the quarterfinals, assuring Moore of the title no matter what happened in the semifinals, were the years of pent-up emotion released and arms thrust skyward in exultation.

“All of (the world titles) have been different and special in their own way,” Moore said. “But this one … just looking back on the journey and what it has taken to get here, I think it was the hardest, most difficult battle to the end. So, for me, this one is extra special.”

It was the latest accomplishment in what has become a red-letter week in the 27-year-old’s remarkable career. Sunday, by virtue of their advances in the meet and positioning atop the WSL rankings, Moore and Marks nailed down the two provisional berths on the U.S. Olympic team for the 2020 Games in Tokyo.

And her third place in the Maui Pro, where she lost to Gilmore in the semis, 15.94-15.07, pushed her official career tour earnings above the $2 million mark.

But for all the elation of earning a place in the sport’s Olympic debut, the trip to the WSL’s final stop of the year, Honolua Bay, would not have been complete without recapturing the world title Moore had come for.

“The world title is the pinnacle of surfing. It is the top of our sport and it is won over 10 events in which you have to show resilience and perseverance in big surf and small surf,” Moore said.

In 2011, at age 18, Moore became the youngest person — male or female — to win a surfing world championship. She won twice more, in 2013 and ’15. and then hit a wall of heightened expectations and periods of self doubt when they weren’t met.

“I just think that was a different time. Coming in as a young person you don’t have any fears,” Moore said.

In 2017 she was stuck in a rut of six fifth-place finishes, dropped as low as eighth in the rankings and became increasingly self-critical. “I think I can be pretty hard on myself,” Moore acknowledged.

Midway through 2018, Moore said she hit a low point, finding herself at a crossroads with the doubts. “I think those are the moments that can make you stronger,” she said. “When you look back, you are grateful for those moments. Those low points shaped me and helped me to be here today. They are all part of the journey.”

In her self examination, Moore said, “I thought, ‘Wait!’ surfing is supposed to be fun. This is what I loved. So, that was the point where I finally made a change (to) a more positive approach. I looked at what I was doing because every day is gift.”

She hit the beach with that attitude this year and it has paid dividends. Moore won events at South Africa in July and France in October and in none of her last seven competitions did she finish lower than third.

Monday, for all that it meant in the standings and within herself, “was incredible,” Moore said. “This has been three years of growing and learning, it has been a journey and I’ve been looking forward to this moment.”

WAHINE WORLD CHAMPS

Hawaii women’s world surfing champs

Year—Champion

2019 — Carissa Moore

2015 — Carissa Moore

2013 — Carissa Moore

2011 — Carissa Moore

1981 — Margo Oberg

1980 — Margo Oberg

1979 — Lynn Boyer

1978 — Lynn Boyer

1977 — Margo Oberg

Source: World Surf League.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.