Happy Gilmore now has more to be happy about. As if winning the ASP Women’s World Title in her rookie year wasn’t enough, Rip Curl’s Stephanie Gilmore has received the honour of a nomination for the 2008 ESPY Awards as ‘Best Female Action Sports Athlete’.

Considered one of the most prestigious sports awards ceremonies in the world, the ESPY’S, now in their 16th year, recognize the incredible achievements and performances of athletes across the world, from Tiger Woods to Kobe Bryant to… Steph Gilmore. With voting polls now open, the winners will be decided at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles on 20th July, with the lucky winners receiving their awards from Justin Timberlake.

Steph has the additional honour of being the only professional surfer, male or female, to be nominated for an ESPY award in 2008. Competing against Steph for honors of ‘Best Female Actions Sports Athlete’ are Gretchen Bleiler (Snowboarding), Jessica Patterson (Motocross) and Lindsey Jacobellis (Snowboarding).

In 2007, Steph Gilmore was not only the first surfer (male or female) to ever win an ASP World Title their rookie year, but she also bagged 4 out of 8 event victories on the elite ASP Women’s World Tour. Fresh off a dynamic victory at the 2008 Rip Curl Women’s Pro at Bell’s Beach, Steph currently sits at a close 2nd to ratings leader Sofia Mulanovich.