Top 5 female surfers of 2011 ASP Women’s World Tour – Part 3
3. Stephanie Gilmore
When it comes to experience and skill, there are few female surfers who can match this 23-year-old Australian, who adopted the surfing passion at an age of 10. Gilmore not only has the necessary skills, but also possesses a positive attitude, always wearing
a bright smile on her face, something that is a huge plus when facing an intimidating competition in Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Women’s World Tour.
Gilmore is a four-time ASP Women’s World Champion, just losing her throne to Hawaii’s Carissa Moore a few weeks back. The 2011 season may not have gone as well for one of the most dominating females in the sport, but it was not a total disappointment either.
Her performances were nothing short of spectacular regardless of which surfing spot the Tour took her to in the world.
The first stop of 2011 ASP Women’s World Tour, Roxy Pro, pitted Gilmore against ASP Top 16 surfers in her own backyard, Australia. Getting off to a good start, the local prodigy got through the initial stages of the competition without a scratch. However,
the quarter-final turned out to be the end of the road for her as she conceded victor to her compatriot Laura Enever, after putting up a commendable fight.
Rip Curl Women’s Pro at Bells beach, Australia, saw Gilmore return as a shadow of her former self, drilling through the competition in the early rounds to confidently make her way into the quarter-finals and eventually the semi-finals. Once again she found
herself facing a compatriot, though this time is was the deadly Sally Fitzgibbons. Despite being perfectly capable of surviving the challenge, Gilmore faltered in front of her rival and was forced to make an exit just one step away from the title shot.
Heading to New Zealand for the fourth elite event of the year, Subaru Pro TSB Bank Women’s Surf Festival, Gilmore was expected to be high on confidence after an impressive third place finish in the previous stop. On the contrary, she turned up at the competition
as a completely unrecognizable person. She seemed to be lacking rhythm and her performances were nothing close to what she was renowned for. She was put out of her misery in the fourth round by her compatriot, Chelsea Hedges.
After a disappointing effort in New Zealand, the Australian sensation returned to Australia for the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic. Determined to redeem herself, Gilmore got off to a blazing start and rampaged through the first four rounds, as well as
the quarter-finals. Stepping in the semi-finals, she came face to face with Moore. The Hawaiian was on fire this season and did not take long to assert her dominance in the heat, eliminating the Australian from the competition.
Gilmore’s trip to Brazil for the Billabong Rio Pro earned her yet another third place finish. She remained a strong contender for the event title since the very start, but was undone by Fitzgibbons in the semi-finals for the second time this season.
Despite getting really close, Gilmore was yet to collect a single victory this season, or even make it to the final for that matter. The pressure was mounting on her as all eyes were on her, the four-time reigning ASP Women Champion. After a long and patient
wait, she was finally able to pick her first event title in France after winning the Roxy Pro by defeating Moore in the finals.
Feeling much relieved after a successful result in France, Gilmore headed to America for the final event of the season, US Open of Surfing. The event saw the Australian phenom make her way into the quarter-finals and then succumbing to Hawaii’s Coco Ho.
Despite losing her throne after sitting on it for four years, the latest season was not a complete let down for Gilmore. She had consistently managed to make her way into the crucial stages at nearly all the events, the repeated failure to see herself through
to the end was somewhat alarming. Despite not looking her best, Gilmore finished in overall third. She was indeed one of the most consistent and impressive surfer this season and if it wasn’t for the likes of Moore and Fitzgibbons, she may have collected her
fifth consecutive ASP Women’s Championship title.
To be continued in Part 4.
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