On an exciting final day at the Gidget Pro Sunset Beach in Hawaii, ASP Women’s World Tour champion Stephanie Gilmore retained her title, while local hope Carissa Moore recorded her first ASP tour victory.
Gilmore in claiming her third consecutive world title made history as the only surfer to win the title in each year they have competed at the elite level in either the men’s or women’s competition.
It was also another great day for Sally Fitzgibbons, who earned her second consecutive top three finish on the tour and consequently moved up to fifth place in the overall standings with one event left to go.
But it was the stunning performance by local resident Moore that lit up Sunset Beach as she claimed first place after coming into the competition via a Trials victory.
“It’s such an honour,” a clearly delighted Moore said. “I’m speechless right now. I never thought that I would make the final in this event. All of the girls were surfing so well and congratulations to Steph [Gilmore] for winning the World Title.”
Despite the fact that she is just 17-years-of-age, Moore had been to the finals of an ASP World Tour event previously in 2007 and she utilised that prior knowledge along with her local know-how to her full advantage this time.
“It definitely helps having other World Tour experience under my belt,” she said. “I also know surfing on the North Shore is always going to be challenging and the girls surf at such a sick level and each heat is a clean slate.”
'It's surreal to win for a third time' – Stephanie Gilmore
Gilmore went into Sunset Beach under world title pressure from six other surfers, who were all in contention for the crown, but the 21-year-old Australian proved too consistent for the field in the end.
“It’s surreal to win for a third time,” Gilmore said. “It’s amazing! I woke up this morning and knew it was going to be a good day. The waves were building and you sort of get that fuzzy feeling throughout the day. I really don’t even know what to think about it. I just want to thank everyone for the support that I’ve had throughout the whole year.”
Fitzgibbons was also pleased with her continued fine progress to her rookie year and en route to the final the 19-year-old Australian scored a perfect 10 point ride in the semi finals.
“I was really happy to get that wave,” Fitzgibbons said. “It was tricky. There were not that many waves in that heat and I was happy to get the score and move on through to Final.”
Gidget Pro Sunset Beach final result
1) Carissa Moore (HAW) 14.24
2) Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 13.07
3) Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 12.17
4) Alana Blanchard (HAW) 11.17
Gidget Pro Sunset Beach semi-final results
SF 1: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.40, Carissa Moore (HAW) 11.34, Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 10.33, Melanie Bartels (HAW) 5.64
SF 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 17.17, Alana Blanchard (HAW) 13.83, Malia Manuel (HAW) 8.90, Coco Ho (HAW) 1.10
Gidget Pro Sunset Beach quarter-final results
QF 1: Melanie Bartels (HAW) 12.40, Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 11.23, Megan Abubo (HAW) 6.50, Laurina McGrath (AUS) 4.33
QF 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 13.40, Carissa Moore (HAW) 12.00, Samantha Cornish (AUS) 9.57, Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 2.00
QF 3: Alana Blanchard (HAW) 11.27, Malia Manuel (HAW) 10.43, Silvana Lima (BRA) 8.90, Paige Hareb (NZL) 0.00
QF 4: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 11.90, Coco Ho (HAW) 11.16, Bruna Schmitz (BRA) 1.37, Bethany Hamilton (HAW) 1.16
ASP Womens' World Tour overall rating (after Gidget Pro Sunset Beach)
1) Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 5521 pts
2) Silvana Lima (BRA) 4548 pts
3) Coco Ho (HAW) 4117 pts
4) Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 4071 pts
5) Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 3792 pts
See all the action from Sunset Beach at Triple Crown of Surfing and for more information about the tour go to ASP World Tour
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