“It’s a new start for me. To win on your home turf, in front of all these people, it’s unbelievable.” — Stephanie Gilmore, 2009 Roxy Gold Coast Pro Champion
The Roxy Pro Gold Coast came to an end this weekend, and without any surprise the crown goes to Stephanie Gilmore. Stephanie had dominated most of the final, but in the last minutes fellow finalist Melanie Bartels stepped it up and fought hard to give Gilmore a scare. “I was definitely nervous surfing against her,” Steph said. “She’s a great surfer and I know she has the ability to throw good scores right back at me.”
Steph’s good scores and victory aren’t the only impressive statistics to come out of this contest. Having toured for two years and three months, the Billabong Pro Rio is the only stop that Stephhasn’t won. Even more impressive is the fact that she’s managed to win five events, twice.
While this may seem like just another win to add to her long list, it’s actually especially victorious. Having won the event as a wild card in 2005, The Roxy Gold Coast Pro has been somewhat of a curse for Stephanie ever since. “This win is definitely more satisfying,” Gilmore said. “In 2005, I was blown away. I couldn’t believe I achieved it, but this time around it’s pleasing to know that I’ve come off a season as world champ. And I’ve done some training, so to come back out here today and win makes you feel really good.”
ROXY PRO GOLD COAST FINAL RESULTS:
1 Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.07
2 Melanie Bartels (HAW) 12.50
ROXY PRO GOLD COAST SEMIFINALS RESULTS:
SF 1: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.33 def. Paige Hareb (NZL) 12.16
SF 2: Melanie Bartels (HAW) 17.34 def. Coco Ho (HAW) 13.27
CURRENT ASP WOMENS WORLD TOUR RATINGS:
1 Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 1200
2 Melanie Bartels (HAW) 972
3 Paige Hareb (NZL) 756
3 Coco Ho (HAW) 756
5 Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 552
5 Rebecca Woods (AUS) 552
5 Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 552
5 Bruna Schmitz (BRA) 552
9 Silvana Lima (BRA) 360
9 Amee Donohoe (AUS) 360
9 Samantha Cornish (AUS) 360
9 Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 360
9 Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 360
9 Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 360
9 Alana Blanchard (HAW) 360
9 Megan Abubo (HAW) 360
17 Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) 180
18 Layne Beachley (AUS) 0
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