Stephanie Gilmore staying positive while heading into 2012 ASP Women’s World Tour – Surfing News
Australian professional surfer Stephanie Gilmore admitted that she is feeling much more positive compared to last year while heading into the 2012 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Women’s World Tour.
The 24-year-old New South Wales-based surfer has not competed in a single heat since the US Opening of Surfing last year, which served as the final stop of the women’s elite tour.
However, she is ready to end her long break from surfing to kick-start her campaign for her fifth ASP World Title at Roxy Pro at Snapper Rocks on February 25.
Heading into what is considered to be the greatest stage of female surfing in 2011, the four-time ASP Women’s World champion was still recovering both physically and emotionally after getting assaulted by a man near her house in Coolangatta.
The random act of violence had shook her up pretty badly and effected her performance during her campaign for what could possibly have been her fifth consecutive ASP World Title.
Gilmore admitted that she had underestimated the effect that the incident had on her. However, she conceded that the long break from surfing has allowed her to spend time with her family and get over her bitter experience. "Now I feel 100 per cent and just
can't wait to get out there competing again,” said the Australian.
Despite her horrific experience prior to the previous season, she had shown apparent improvement in her performance as the season progressed and eventually finished in third place, behind Hawaii’s Carissa Moore and Australia’s Sally Fitzgibbons.
Feeling much more relaxed and focused this time, Gilmore is not only looking to make a solid impact in the upcoming ASP Women’s World Tour, but also plans on enjoy her surfing.
“I’m a competitive person,” Gilmore said. “I want to be the best. I feel like I’ve already accomplished more [competitively] than I ever thought I would and I’m proud of that. There’s nothing forcing me to compete, I do it because I enjoy it and because
I want to win. If you’re winning events, you’re winning world titles so yes, the world title is still very much the goal.”
The ASP Women’s World Tour will get underway with the Roxy Pro at Gold Coast this Saturday.
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