Steph Gilmore, whom we interviewed for the current issue of Cooler, remains on track for her fourth consecutive ASP Women’s World Title by bagging the third victory of the season at the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic in Sydney, Australia.
After a series of down days, the event came to a thrilling climax, when the 22 years old Australian defeated fellow countrywomen Sally Fitzgibbons with experience and patience in 4-6ft waves. “It’s incredible how good this feels,” said Gilmore. “Competing in Australia is one of my favourite things to do. I feel comfortable in these waters and have won this event a few times. I guess I’m on a roll and I’m feeling good. The conditions were really deteriorating throughout the day so I’m glad we got the final finished relatively early. I was pretty nervous throughout the final. Sally (Fitzgibbons) has been on fire all week and she really has a good local support base in Sydney. She’s so hungry for a win. But it was all about patience and I just had to sit there and wait for a wave of consequence.”
Gilmore, who won the Beachley Classic as a wildcard four years ago and then as a world tour rookie a year later, finished with a two-wave combined total of 14.20 (out of a possible 20) to Fitzgibbon’s 12.40 total. Fitzgibbon picked up 972 ratings points and US$10,000 for second place, her second runner-up finish in the past two events.
