The 2008 Women’s ASP World Qualifying series ended Thursday with 16-year-old Carissa Moore taking the title over 7x world champ Layne Beachley and two fellow teens, Laura Enever and Coco Ho, both 17.

Moore, who won 11 National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) National Championships, becomes the youngest winner of a Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Event.  On her way to the title, Moore defeated current world champion Stephanie Gilmore and World Tour hopeful Alana Blanchard.

The win did come with some drama as Ho, Moore’s close friend, helped block Beachley’s chances at a win toward the end of the final when it became clear that Ho could not win.  Beachley needed to score a little more than six points for the win and with less than a minute left, it looked like there was a wave that could get her that score.  But Ho also dropped in and ensured Beachley couldn’t get her score.

“It was pretty good Hawaiian teamwork,” said Beachley. “I’m sure if Coco kicked out of that wave I could have still hit the lip, but as I was bottom-turning I saw Coco go for an air. And, well, that just ruins any chance of doing anything. That’s what happens here in Hawai’i.

“I was really thankful that Coco ended up getting that one,” Moore said after the win. “I’m definitely thankful that she is one of my best friends.”

Moore is not competing for a spot on the 2009 World Tour but Ho and Blanchard still have a chance to make the tour depending on how the final two women’s events go down.

Read more about the final.

Out with the old and in with the new.  That just might be what many are thinking after the first day of action for the women at the Reef Hawaiian Pro.  After 44 women started the day, the field was whittled down to 16 in the semifinals, with seven aged 18 or under.  Among them are 16-year-olds Carissa Moore (pictured above) and Courtney Conlogue, 17-year-olds Coco Ho and Sally Fitzgibbons and 18-year-old Alana Blanchard.

Still alive in the contest are defending world champ Stephanie Gilmore and a number of other world tour surfers including Layne Beachley, Silvana Lima and Rosanne Hodge.  Notable surfers who were eliminated in the first two rounds include world tour surfers Karina Petroni and Megan Abubo, who won the contest last year.

Two full days of surfing remain for the Reef Hawaiian Pro and it may face a day or two of delays thanks to a new wet front moving in.  When action does resume, it can be seen live at the Triple Crown of Surfing website.