Break Line: Stephanie Gilmore

Todd Cole Hits the Ocean With the World Champion Surfer to the Sounds of Liars

Stephanie Gilmore Photo: Rabejac / Roxy

Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 24, has claimed her 5th ASP Women’s World Title today, winning the Roxy Pro Biarritz over Tyler Wright(AUS), 18.

I woke up this morning and thought it wouldn’t happen today, Gilmore said. But as the day progressed, and things fell into place, I began to believe it could happen. France is such a special place and having so many people on the beach watching us surf today is really emotional. I think I’m going to cry.

Gilmore set an ASP record by being the first surfer ever to win four titles from four attempts (2007 – 2010), but fell back to ASP Women’s World No. 3 in 2011. Today’s emotional win is a reassertion of her dominance as one of the greatest icons in women’s sports.
This year for me was all about improving my consistency and having fun with my surfing, Gilmore said. From when I started five years ago to where we are now, women’s surfing has improved so much. It’s an honor to be back up top as these girls push me every day and are all incredible surfers.

Today’s incredible achievement puts the young natural-footer in an elite class of surfers to win five or more ASP World Titles, overtaking women’s records set by Freida Zamba (USA), Wendy Botha (AUS) and Lisa Andersen (USA). The only other two surfers in history to claim five or more titles are Kelly Slater (USA) and Layne Beachley (AUS).

Fellow finalist Wright put on an impressive display of surfing throughout the Roxy Pro Biarritz, besting Courtney Conlogue (USA), 19, and Coco Ho (HAW), 19, en route to today’s Finals. Unfortunately for Wright, her momentum didn’t transcend into the Final bout against Gilmore, but the tour sophomore was happy with her performance nonetheless.
I feel pretty good, Wright said. I was so excited for Steph (Gilmore). She was ahead of me the whole time and with five minutes to go I was like, ‘you’ve done it!’ It’s incredible – she ripped the whole contest and didn’t lose one heat, she was shredding!

Today’s Runner-Up finish at Grande Plage is a season best for Wright and vaults her from 5th to 3rd on the elite ASP Women’s World Championship Tour rankings.
I’m happy with how that season went, Wright said. I’m just enjoying myself! I feel it’s funner when I just messing around rather than be too serious. You know I love surfing and that’s about it.

Coco Ho (HAW) 21, was responsible for the biggest upset today when she defeated Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 21, in this morning’s Quarterfinals. Ho was later stopped by runner-up Tyler Wright in the semis, not able to find the highest scoring rides in a wind affected line-up. Finishing equal third in Biarritz, Ho confirms her newly found rythmn after a brilliant second place in the previous event in Brazil.

ROXY PRO BIARRITZ FINAL RESULTS:
1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 18.53
2 – Tyler Wright (AUS) 13.10

ROXY PRO BIARRITZ SEMI-FINALS RESULTS:
SF 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) 14.66 def. Coco Ho (HAW) 9.37
SF 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 17.10 def. Carissa Moore (HAW) 12.50

ROXY PRO BIARRITZ QUARTER-FINALS RESULTS:
QF 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) 11.37 def. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 10.53
QF 2: Coco Ho (HAW) 12.60 def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 8.76
QF 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 13.57 def. Malia Manuel (HAW) 10.00
QF 4: Carissa Moore (HAW) 16.33 def. Laura Enever (AUS) 12.07

ROXY PRO BIARRITZ ROUND 4 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 11.40 def. Lakey Peterson (USA) 9.50
Heat 2: Coco Ho (HAW) 11.67 def. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 8.77
Heat 3: Malia Manuel (HAW) 12.10 def. Paige Hareb (NZL) 9.16
Heat 4: Laura Enever (AUS) 12.13 def. Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 8.66

CURRENT ASP WOMEN’S WCT TOP 5 (After Roxy Pro Biarritz):
1. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 48,400 pts
2. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 42,100 pts
3. Carissa Moore (HAW) 36,700 pts
4. Tyler Wright (AUS) 36,700 pts
5. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 34,800 pts

 

Staphanie Gilmore off the lip Photo: Cazenave / Roxy

Sally Fitzgibbons bottom turn Photo: Rabejac / Roxy

Stephanie Gilmore Photo: Rabejac / Roxy

Staphanie Gilmore Photo: Cazenave / Roxy

Staphanie Gilmore Photo: Cazenave / Roxy

Victory Gilmore Photo: Bonnarme / Roxy

Victory Gilmore Photo: Bonnarme / Roxy

Victory Gilmore Photo: Bonnarme / Roxy

Photo: Rabejac / Roxy

Another Lay Day has been called in Biarritz due to lack of swell on offer this morning at the primary venue of ‘La Côte des Basques’.
1Ft Onshore surf is rolling in at low tide in front of the judges tower and Dave Shipley, ASP’s head judge along with the contest director and after concerting with the surfers, have decided to wait for a push in swell forecasted to hit the coast tomorrow during the day.
With small conditions today we’re just going to continue monitoring the swell hoping for a slight increase tomorrow and a little more offshore into it too, Dave Shipley stated. We’ll take a look tomorrow morning with a 7am call and we’ll keep monitoring during the day, with a possible lift in the swell in the afternoon, and we look to getting some heats done tomorrow.

The first heat of the Roxy Pro Biarritz will see Courtney Conlogue (USA) 19, Coco Ho (HAW) 21, and Sarah Mason (NZL) 17 face each other when competition commences. The next Call is set to 7am tomorrow morning Thursday, July 12, 2012.
In the meantime, the Biarritz crowds already on-site will have the opportunity to come watch some action from the Kassia Invitational where Californian iconic longboarder Kassia Meador and her logger friends will revisit traditional longboarding in an exhibition awarding style.

Former Women’s World Tour surfer and Biarritz local Lee-Ann Curren will also put on a show with her band Betty the shark at 5pm in the Roxy lounge on-site at ‘La Côte des Basques’.

ROXY PRO BIARRITZ ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Courtney Conlogue (USA), Coco Ho (HAW), Sarah Mason (NZL)
Heat 2: Tyler Wright (AUS), Lakey Peterson (USA), Sage Erickson (USA)
Heat 3: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Rebecca Woods (AUS), Johanne Defay (FRA)
Heat 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Paige Hareb (NZL), Jacqueline Silva (BRA)
Heat 5: Carissa Moore (HAW), Sofia Mulanovich (PER), Justine Dupont (FRA)
Heat 6: Laura Enever (AUS), Malia Manuel (HAW), Pauline Ado (FRA)

Photo: Rabajec / Roxy

Were now half way through May with a summer ahead, surf trips to plan, Uni free, places to skate and of course festival’s to go to.
However with the weather so unpredictable, Mother Nature has really got us wondering if we will ever see the sun or waves for that matter!

With Uni and poor conditions chances of any surf in the South of England hasn’t been easy, you know what it’s like. So to keep myself motivated I’ve been exercising whilst at the same time having fun. This has involved: running, Zumba and having a go at POP Pilates to help keep those all-important muscles working.

The great thing about these activities is you don’t need great weather to have fun and still hang out with friends at the same time (voila).
It can help improve your stamina and improve your mood in order to gain motivation for when the great weather and conditions arrive.
Alongside exercising I’ve been watching the Billabong Pro Rio (congrats John John!) and the PKRA O’neill Kiteboarding World Cup. These are just some of the factors which can influence and have an impact!

So where does that leave us? We at Girls Shred want to know how YOU stay motivated in order to get ready or the summer or how you keep inspired. Send in your techniques to girlsshred@gmail.com, this can be in the form of a picture explaining why, or simply some motivational music. Whatever it is…. we want to know and you never know, your ideas could be featured on our page!

Don’t forget if planning to exercise, make sure you warm up and cool down afterward to reduce any form of injury. If unsure seek medical advice before starting to exercise!

Good Luck!