Caroline leads surfing into equal-pay era

SYDNEY: American teenager Caroline Marks became the first woman to earn the same prize money as the men’s champion after winning the season-opening World Surf League event in Australia on Monday.With surfing making its Olympic debut in 2020, the sport’s authorities decided last year to close the gender pay gap and better promote the women’s tour after a growing social media backlash. Marks, 17, was the first to benefit, pocketing US$100,000, the same as Brazilian men’s winner Italo Ferreira. It was the first WSL win for an emotional Marks, who beat three-time world champion Carissa Moore in the final and upset seven-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore in the quarters. “I can’t believe it. I’m speechless. It’s incredible to be a part of this sport,” she told the WSL website at Duranbag Beach on the Gold Coast.