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Olympics-Surfing-Emotions run high in Tahiti as reigning champ Moore knocked out

Feelings ran high at the surfing venue in Tahiti on Thursday, with ruling Olympic champion Carissa Moore and regional preferred Vahine Fierro knocked out, while Brazil's Gabriel Medina set up a blockbuster semifinal with Australia's Jack Robinson.

There was debate too, with an Australian Olympic surfing judge cut from the panel scoring the competitors after a picture flowed on social networks showing him posturing with beaten quarter-finalist Ethan Ewing and the Australian group supervisor.

Regional web surfer Kauli Vaast advanced to the semi-finals at his home break of Teahupo'o but the drama and heartbreak was most palpable in the females's competition.

Hawaiian Moore, who went down to Johanne Defay in a low scoring quarter-final, stated she couldn't think of a much better place to call time on her storied career.

The five-time world champ skipped this year's expert tour, saying she would likely hang up her competitive rash t-shirt and aim to start a household after the Olympics.

I suggest, you put whatever you have into something. I put my whole year, I gambled, I left the trip. I came here and invested months out of the year just trying to do my absolute best, and when you come up short of a dream, it sucks.

However at the exact same point, like how enjoyable was it? I would not have had it any other way.

So certainly, I'm actually unfortunate to not be a part of finals day and get to represent my home and my household one more time, but I'm actually grateful, the Hawaiian said.

In round three earlier on Thursday, Defay took down Fierro, who after winning the Tahiti Pro at the same unbelievable location in May, had high wish to make the podium.

Good job to Johanne, she's a really strong competitor, Fierro stated. The conditions were tricky. I had the ability to find barrels, however I just fell, I wasn't able to make them and that's what cost me the heat.

Fierro took a jetski back to coast via the small viewer zone at Teahupo'o, where the home fans revealed their appreciation.

I wish to thank all the crowd, all individuals that supported me from far and from close. It warms my heart so much. Whether I win or lose, they existed and it's really unique, she stated.

Medina was scientific in finishing the run of his teammate Joao Chianca, as was Australia's Robinson as he triumphed over fellow Australian Ewing in often challenging conditions.

Medina had Chianca on the ropes early, while Robinson came from behind to take the lead and ultimate victory from Ewing, establishing a mouthwatering semi-final with Medina.

Alonso Correa continued his effective performances for Peru with a win over Japan's Reo Inaba in the other quarter-final. Defay will face American world champion Caroline Marks in one semi-final, while Tatiana Weston-Webb of Brazil and Costa Rica's Brisa Hennessy will satisfy in the other.

Competitors has actually been cancelled for Friday and is set up to resume on Saturday, although organisers could decide to endure a nail-biting wait on better waves to arrive in time for the last possible day of competition on Monday.

Hold-ups due to poor conditions are regular in surfing competitors, with organisers having a 10-day window to run four days of heats - though choosing those days is not constantly simple.

Waves were still somewhat jumbled on Thursday after two-and-a-half days of competitors were lost to stormy weather. The swell is forecast to drop before a small bump up on Saturday, making it a possible day to find the medallists.

(source: Reuters)