Latest news with #StephanieGilmore
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Steph Gilmore: ‘I was looking for something more, in myself and in my surfing'
Stephanie Gilmore, the most successful women's surfer of all time, is back. Last weekend, the 37-year-old returned to the World Surf League (WSL) for the first time in two seasons, as a wildcard at the Gold Coast Pro. But unsure of how she would fare, against competitors who had not even been born when Gilmore first started winning WSL events, the Australian came armed with a good excuse. 'I'm playing on stage with Spiderbait,' Gilmore said ahead of a concert which took place on Sunday on the sidelines of the event. 'So I've actually got something that's taken my mind off the surfing, which is kind of nice. Maybe it's a cop-out, but if I don't do well in the competition I can just blame it on all the band practice I have to do.' Advertisement Gilmore, a guitarist, first performed with Spiderbait at Falls Festival in Byron Bay a decade ago, and has since joined the Australian rockers for a number of surfing-adjacent gigs. 'Steph is a double mega shredder!' the band said recently. But Gilmore needed no excuses; she advanced comfortably through the opening round on Saturday, sending junior world champion Luana Silva to the elimination round. After several lay-days, with small surf, Gilmore was back in the water on Thursday, winning her way through to the quarter-finals with victory over defending world champion Caitlin Simmers. Related: 'Best day of my life', 'surreal and special': Australian victories at Bells Beach mean more to local surfers | Kieran Pender 'It's pretty exciting,' Gilmore says. She opted out of the 2024 WSL campaign to focus on other surfing pursuits, and then again decided to miss the current 2025 season. But Gilmore had never flagged the possibility of retirement – a return to competition has always been on the cards. On the Gold Coast, the wildcard enables her to test the waters. Advertisement The quality of women's elite surfing has improved markedly in recent years – thanks in part to equal prize money since 2019 and an integrated tour schedule from 2022. Last year the women charged heavy Tahitian barrels at Teahupo'o, while an exciting new generation of female surfers (including Australians such as Milla Brown and Sierra Kerr) are as proficient in the air as their male counterparts. 'I'm being very honest with myself, in how I go into this, and my expectations are definitely on the lower side,' Gilmore says. 'I've been watching the women's tour the last couple of years, and the talent has risen to new heights. To win the events you've really got to be producing some excellent surfing. I'm just going to enjoy the journey.' Gilmore's return to the competitive rash-vest against a field of young prodigies is a full-circle moment; it was once the Australian, a teenage surf star, downing more-fancied veterans. 'I was once that 18, 19-year-old, in my first years on tour,' she says. 'I remember coming up against my heroes – it was the best feeling ever, to try and beat them.' Gilmore's 2022 world title – the eighth of her career – elevated her above Layne Beachley's haul of seven, which had long been the defining mark of greatness. 'That was my dream – I really wanted to beat Layne's record,' Gilmore says. 'It really put a great exclamation mark on my achievements in my career, I would say probably the best performance of my career. It was a dream come true.' Advertisement But then, after finishing sixth in 2023, Gilmore decided to take a break. 'I've spent 17 years on tour,' she says. 'I've had a lot of great success, really achieved my main goal – to win an eighth world title. I was looking for something more, in myself and in my surfing.' Gilmore took time off from chasing event wins to search for new waves, trial new equipment and spend 'a lot less time on aeroplanes', she says. 'The tour schedule is quite gruelling.' Already this year, WSL surfers have gone from Hawaii to a wave pool in Abu Dhabi, to Portugal, to El Salvador, and to Australia, in barely four months. After the three-leg Australian stop, those who survive the mid-season cut will head to the United States, Brazil, South Africa and Tahiti. That's a lot of jet lag. 'It's been nice to spend a lot of time at home, see my family and friends a lot more,' Gilmore says. ' But if anything, it's really just made me appreciate how good the life is that I got to live on tour – and the one I continue to live now. I just want to travel and surf, it really is the best, most fun thing in the world.' Advertisement Will a return to the WSL in 2026 follow? It is likely, although not guaranteed, that Gilmore would be granted a season-long wildcard for the next campaign, removing the need for the Australian to qualify through the second-tier Challenger series. The format has also been rejigged, with next year's title to be determined by overall points rather than a final event (reverting to the format that delivered Gilmore seven of her eight world titles). 'I'm going to surf this event [on the Gold Coast] and see what happens,' she says. 'There are some changes happening on the world tour for the future years, and that's definitely getting me excited to see if I can have another crack. But there are no set decisions just yet – we'll see what happens.' With an emerging generation of young stars on tour, including 19-year-old Simmers, 20-year-old Silva and 22-year-old Molly Picklum, plus the likes of Kerr and Brown not far behind them, Gilmore is realistic about her longevity in the sport. Related: Sierra and Josh Kerr: father-daughter duo who are the past, present and future of surfing | Kieran Pender Advertisement 'It feels like there's a massive amount of young women in this next generation that are just pushing the boundaries,' she says. 'For me, my time is probably pretty limited in terms of winning. If I'm going to do it, I probably have a pretty short window in the next few years to do any more winning before it's just too hard to beat these young women.' Gilmore is 37; her male equivalent, Kelly Slater, the greatest of all-time, only recently stopped surfing on the WSL regularly. Now in his early 50s, Slater won his last WSL event just three years ago. 'Kelly's a freak,' says Gilmore. 'He's a hard one to use as an example.' But she says better support around health and recovery has helped career longevity, together with a healthy mindset. 'The main thing I get from Kelly is his mind – he stays youthful in his mind,' she says. 'Everything is fun and life is a wonderful adventure. He's just like a little kid who wants to travel and surf – he's one of the most passionate surfers on the planet. I think that is what has kept him so youthful, and his surfing is still up there with the best in the world at over 50 years of age. He's a huge inspiration.' Gilmore says she is taking things one step at a time – starting with the next heat at Burleigh Heads. But although the surfing great has not yet made up her mind about returning to the WSL full-time, she is certainly not ruling out the prospect of a charge at a ninth world title. Advertisement 'If I'm going to compete on the tour, that's what I'm going for,' she says, matter-of-factly. 'I'm not just going there to be another jersey. So that's the plan. I'll see what happens. I think it would be cool to keep going, imagine getting to Kelly's number [11 world titles]. That would be crazy.' Gilmore pauses for a moment, reflecting on the magnitude of the suggestion. 'I don't think I could do that. But, I don't know…!' Alongside another world title or three, there is another aspiration keeping Gilmore in a competition rash-vest. 'When I look at the Olympics, 2032 in Australia, I'm like – that would be super cool, to be able to surf in the Olympic Games at home here on the east coast of Australia.' Gilmore will be in her mid-40s come the Brisbane Olympics; she represented Australia at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, when surfing made its Games debut. Brisbane 2032 is, she admits, 'a pretty out-there dream.' But Stephanie Gilmore is back – and still dreaming big.
ABC News
17-05-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Stephanie Gilmore hungry to avenge loss to Erin Brooks after comeback at WSL Gold Coast Pro
Eight-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore has all but confirmed a return to the top level next year following her quarter-final finish at the Gold Coast Pro last week. The greatest female surfer of all time will not be at Margaret River when the World Surf League championship tour event kicks off today, but the 37-year-old says a promising comeback at Burleigh Heads has reignited her competitive fire. "Jeffreys Bay sounds pretty good, Lower Trestles, Fiji," she said. "I was excited to go out there and test myself against the best girls in the world and see if I can still do it. "Now I'm thinking I want to get some revenge." After an 18-month break from the sport, Gilmore was granted a wildcard entry into her home event. She claimed the prized scalp of reigning women's world champion, 19-year-old Caitlin Simmers, before going down to another rising star, 17-year-old Erin Brooks, in the finals. Brooks was just five months old when Gilmore won her first world title in her rookie year on tour in 2007. "I used to always see stats when Kelly [Slater] would surf heats against up-and-comers and they were like, 'Kelly was on tour for five years before this guy was born,'" Gilmore said. "Now that's the situation I'm in, and it's cool. Having proved to herself she still has what it takes to match it with an exciting new generation of female talent on tour, Gilmore said she had unfinished business and was hungry to avenge her loss. The WSL's new-look 2026 schedule will help to sweeten the deal. A return to the "Dream Tour" destinations and the axing of the controversial mid-season cut made it likely fans would be seeing the biggest name in the sport back in a rashie next year. Gilmore admits she has missed the adrenaline rush of high-stakes competition and the energy of surfing in front of big crowds, but do not expect to see her at every stop. "At the end of the day, I think it's more about your personal drive and motivation," she said.
The Advertiser
08-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Gilmore beats world champ in surf duel of generations
Stephanie Gilmore still has it, beating Caity Simmers in surfing's hotly-anticipated duel of generations at the Gold Coast Pro. Gilmore, 37, is through to the quarter-finals in her first World Surf League event for nearly two years after beating the 19-year-old American on Thursday in the round of 16 at Burleigh Heads. The Australian eight-time world champion relished her tactical battle with the reigning world champion and current world No.2, edging her out 12.84 to 12.50 after Simmers fell at a crucial point in the heat. "Caity's one of my favorite surfers - she's the current world champion, she's probably everyone's favorite surfer," wildcard entry Gilmore said. "She's so unpredictable and just fluid and really great to watch. "It's nerve-wracking surfing against people like that, but it really brings out the best in you because you have to find ways to win and dig deep and find new strategies and stuff, and I just enjoyed it a lot." It was a day of upsets, with Australian Sally Fitzgibbons beating compatriot and world No.5 Tyler Wright. Hawaiian world No.1 Gabriela Bryan was another big-name casualty, falling to Brazilian Luana Silva. Men's world No.2 Ethan Ewing also fell in an all-Australian heat, taken out by wildcard Morgan Cibilic. Gilmore will have another inter-generational heat in the quarters, taking on 17-year-old Canadian rookie Erin Brooks. While some of the guns misfired, Australian world No.3 Molly Picklum put an upset Bells Beach loss behind her with the highest women's heat score of the day, a 16.27, to also reach the quarters. Picklum will face Fitzgibbons in an all-Australian heat. Compatriot Isabella Nichols, who won Bells for the first time, was another to progress as Brazilian two-time world champion Filipe Toledo shone. Half of the men's round of 32 heats were run on Thursday and Toledo stood out, posting a 9.37 wave score and a total of 17.87. Competition resumed on Thursday after a three-day break and will run deep into the weekend, with the finals potentially not decided until Monday. Stephanie Gilmore still has it, beating Caity Simmers in surfing's hotly-anticipated duel of generations at the Gold Coast Pro. Gilmore, 37, is through to the quarter-finals in her first World Surf League event for nearly two years after beating the 19-year-old American on Thursday in the round of 16 at Burleigh Heads. The Australian eight-time world champion relished her tactical battle with the reigning world champion and current world No.2, edging her out 12.84 to 12.50 after Simmers fell at a crucial point in the heat. "Caity's one of my favorite surfers - she's the current world champion, she's probably everyone's favorite surfer," wildcard entry Gilmore said. "She's so unpredictable and just fluid and really great to watch. "It's nerve-wracking surfing against people like that, but it really brings out the best in you because you have to find ways to win and dig deep and find new strategies and stuff, and I just enjoyed it a lot." It was a day of upsets, with Australian Sally Fitzgibbons beating compatriot and world No.5 Tyler Wright. Hawaiian world No.1 Gabriela Bryan was another big-name casualty, falling to Brazilian Luana Silva. Men's world No.2 Ethan Ewing also fell in an all-Australian heat, taken out by wildcard Morgan Cibilic. Gilmore will have another inter-generational heat in the quarters, taking on 17-year-old Canadian rookie Erin Brooks. While some of the guns misfired, Australian world No.3 Molly Picklum put an upset Bells Beach loss behind her with the highest women's heat score of the day, a 16.27, to also reach the quarters. Picklum will face Fitzgibbons in an all-Australian heat. Compatriot Isabella Nichols, who won Bells for the first time, was another to progress as Brazilian two-time world champion Filipe Toledo shone. Half of the men's round of 32 heats were run on Thursday and Toledo stood out, posting a 9.37 wave score and a total of 17.87. Competition resumed on Thursday after a three-day break and will run deep into the weekend, with the finals potentially not decided until Monday. Stephanie Gilmore still has it, beating Caity Simmers in surfing's hotly-anticipated duel of generations at the Gold Coast Pro. Gilmore, 37, is through to the quarter-finals in her first World Surf League event for nearly two years after beating the 19-year-old American on Thursday in the round of 16 at Burleigh Heads. The Australian eight-time world champion relished her tactical battle with the reigning world champion and current world No.2, edging her out 12.84 to 12.50 after Simmers fell at a crucial point in the heat. "Caity's one of my favorite surfers - she's the current world champion, she's probably everyone's favorite surfer," wildcard entry Gilmore said. "She's so unpredictable and just fluid and really great to watch. "It's nerve-wracking surfing against people like that, but it really brings out the best in you because you have to find ways to win and dig deep and find new strategies and stuff, and I just enjoyed it a lot." It was a day of upsets, with Australian Sally Fitzgibbons beating compatriot and world No.5 Tyler Wright. Hawaiian world No.1 Gabriela Bryan was another big-name casualty, falling to Brazilian Luana Silva. Men's world No.2 Ethan Ewing also fell in an all-Australian heat, taken out by wildcard Morgan Cibilic. Gilmore will have another inter-generational heat in the quarters, taking on 17-year-old Canadian rookie Erin Brooks. While some of the guns misfired, Australian world No.3 Molly Picklum put an upset Bells Beach loss behind her with the highest women's heat score of the day, a 16.27, to also reach the quarters. Picklum will face Fitzgibbons in an all-Australian heat. Compatriot Isabella Nichols, who won Bells for the first time, was another to progress as Brazilian two-time world champion Filipe Toledo shone. Half of the men's round of 32 heats were run on Thursday and Toledo stood out, posting a 9.37 wave score and a total of 17.87. Competition resumed on Thursday after a three-day break and will run deep into the weekend, with the finals potentially not decided until Monday.
The Advertiser
08-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Wildcard Gilmore beats world surfing champion
Australian surfing great Stephanie Gilmore has knocked reigning world champion Caity Simmers out of the Gold Coast Pro. Competing in the World Surf League for the first time in nearly two years, Gilmore is through to the quarter-finals after beating the American on Thursday in the round of 16. Competition resumed after a three-day break and Gilmore, the eight-time world champion, edged out the world No.2 12.84 to 12.50. Gilmore is competing at Burleigh Heads as a wildcard and she will face Canadian Erin Brooks in the quarters. Isabella Nichols, who won the previous round at Bells Beach, will go up against fellow Australian Sally Fitzgibbons in another quarter. Compatriot Molly Picklum is also through to the last eight, while world No.1 Gabriela Bryan joined Simmers as a big-name casualty when she lost her heat to Brazilian young gun Luana Silva. The men are halfway through their round of 32 heats and Australian Ethan Ewing was knocked out by compatriot Morgan Cibilic. Australian surfing great Stephanie Gilmore has knocked reigning world champion Caity Simmers out of the Gold Coast Pro. Competing in the World Surf League for the first time in nearly two years, Gilmore is through to the quarter-finals after beating the American on Thursday in the round of 16. Competition resumed after a three-day break and Gilmore, the eight-time world champion, edged out the world No.2 12.84 to 12.50. Gilmore is competing at Burleigh Heads as a wildcard and she will face Canadian Erin Brooks in the quarters. Isabella Nichols, who won the previous round at Bells Beach, will go up against fellow Australian Sally Fitzgibbons in another quarter. Compatriot Molly Picklum is also through to the last eight, while world No.1 Gabriela Bryan joined Simmers as a big-name casualty when she lost her heat to Brazilian young gun Luana Silva. The men are halfway through their round of 32 heats and Australian Ethan Ewing was knocked out by compatriot Morgan Cibilic. Australian surfing great Stephanie Gilmore has knocked reigning world champion Caity Simmers out of the Gold Coast Pro. Competing in the World Surf League for the first time in nearly two years, Gilmore is through to the quarter-finals after beating the American on Thursday in the round of 16. Competition resumed after a three-day break and Gilmore, the eight-time world champion, edged out the world No.2 12.84 to 12.50. Gilmore is competing at Burleigh Heads as a wildcard and she will face Canadian Erin Brooks in the quarters. Isabella Nichols, who won the previous round at Bells Beach, will go up against fellow Australian Sally Fitzgibbons in another quarter. Compatriot Molly Picklum is also through to the last eight, while world No.1 Gabriela Bryan joined Simmers as a big-name casualty when she lost her heat to Brazilian young gun Luana Silva. The men are halfway through their round of 32 heats and Australian Ethan Ewing was knocked out by compatriot Morgan Cibilic.
7NEWS
08-05-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Stephanie Gilmore knocks out Caity Simmers to reach quarter-finals of Gold Coast Pro
Australian surfing great Stephanie Gilmore has knocked reigning world champion Caity Simmers out of the Gold Coast Pro. Competing in the World Surf League for the first time in nearly two years, Gilmore is through to the quarter-finals after beating the American on Thursday in the round of 16. Competition resumed after a three-day break and Gilmore, the eight-time world champion, edged out the world No.2 12.84 to 12.50. Gilmore is competing at Burleigh Heads as a wildcard and she will face Canadian Erin Brooks in the quarters. Isabella Nichols, who won the previous round at Bells Beach, will go up against fellow Australian Sally Fitzgibbons in another quarter. Compatriot Molly Picklum is also through to the last eight, while world No.1 Gabriela Bryan joined Simmers as a big-name casualty when she lost her heat to Brazilian young gun Luana Silva. The men are halfway through their round of 32 heats and Australian Ethan Ewing was knocked out by compatriot Morgan Cibilic.
