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Stephanie Gilmore claims 5th ASP Women’s World Title at Roxy Pro Biarritz

Photos Credits: Cazenave/Timo

GRANDE PLAGE, Biarritz/France (Saturday, July 14, 2012) – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 24, has claimed her 5th ASP Women’s World Title today, winning the Roxy Pro Biarritz over Tyler Wright(AUS), 18.

“I woke up this morning and thought it wouldn’t happen today,” Gilmore said. “But as the day progressed, and things fell into place, I began to believe it could happen. France is such a special place and having so many people on the beach watching us surf today is really emotional. I think I’m going to cry.”

Gilmore set an ASP record by being the first surfer ever to win four titles from four attempts (2007 – 2010), but fell back to ASP Women’s World No. 3 in 2011. Today’s emotional win is a reassertion of her dominance as one of the greatest icons in women’s sports.

“This year for me was all about improving my consistency and having fun with my surfing,” Gilmore said. “From when I started five years ago to where we are now, women’s surfing has improved so much. It’s an honor to be back up top as these girls push me every day and are all incredible surfers.”

Today’s incredible achievement puts the young natural-footer in an elite class of surfers to win five or more ASP World Titles, overtaking women’s records set by Freida Zamba (USA), Wendy Botha (AUS) and Lisa Andersen (USA). The only other two surfers in history to claim five or more titles are Kelly Slater (USA) and Layne Beachley (AUS).

Fellow finalist Wright put on an impressive display of surfing throughout the Roxy Pro Biarritz, besting Courtney Conlogue (USA), 19, and Coco Ho (HAW), 19, en route to today’s Finals. Unfortunately for Wright, her momentum didn’t transcend into the Final bout against Gilmore, but the tour sophomore was happy with her performance nonetheless.

“I feel pretty good,” Wright said. “I was so excited for Steph (Gilmore). She was ahead of me the whole time and with five minutes to go I was like, ‘you’ve done it!’ It’s incredible – she ripped the whole contest and didn’t lose one heat, she was shredding!”

Today’s Runner-Up finish at Grande Plage is a season best for Wright and vaults her from 5th to 3rd on the elite ASP Women’s World Championship Tour rankings.

“I’m happy with how that season went,” Wright said. “I’m just enjoying myself! I feel it’s funner when I just messing around rather than be too serious. You know I love surfing and that’s about it.”

Coco Ho (HAW) 21, was responsible for the biggest upset today when she defeated Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 21, in this morning’s Quarterfinals. Ho was later stopped by runner-up Tyler Wright in the semis, not able to find the highest scoring rides in a wind affected line-up. Finishing equal third in Biarritz, Ho confirms her newly found rythmn after a brilliant second place in the previous event in Brazil.

Highlights from the Roxy Pro Biarritz will be available via http://roxylive.com/roxyprobiarritz/2012/

ROXY PRO BIARRITZ FINAL RESULTS:
1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 18.53
2 – Tyler Wright (AUS) 13.10

ROXY PRO BIARRITZ SEMI-FINALS RESULTS:
SF 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) 14.66 def. Coco Ho (HAW) 9.37
SF 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 17.10 def. Carissa Moore (HAW) 12.50

ROXY PRO BIARRITZ QUARTER-FINALS RESULTS:
QF 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) 11.37 def. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 10.53
QF 2: Coco Ho (HAW) 12.60 def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 8.76
QF 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 13.57 def. Malia Manuel (HAW) 10.00
QF 4: Carissa Moore (HAW) 16.33 def. Laura Enever (AUS) 12.07

ROXY PRO BIARRITZ ROUND 4 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 11.40 def. Lakey Peterson (USA) 9.50
Heat 2: Coco Ho (HAW) 11.67 def. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 8.77
Heat 3: Malia Manuel (HAW) 12.10 def. Paige Hareb (NZL) 9.16
Heat 4: Laura Enever (AUS) 12.13 def. Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 8.66

CURRENT ASP WOMEN’S WCT TOP 5 (After Roxy Pro Biarritz):
1. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 48,400 pts
2. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 42,100 pts
3. Carissa Moore (HAW) 36,700 pts
3. Tyler Wright (AUS) 36,700 pts
5. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 34,800 pts

Français

Stephanie Gilmore décroche son 5ème titre de Championne du Monde au Roxy Pro Biarritz

Photos: Cazenave/Timo

A 24 ans, la surfeuse du team Quiksilver Stephanie Gilmore a remporté le 5ème titre de Championne du Monde de sa carrière sur la Grande Plage de Biarritz en s’imposant face à Tyler Wright en finale du Roxy Pro Biarritz, à une manche de la fin du Championnat du Monde de Surf 2012.

« Je me suis réveillée ce matin en pensant que ça n’arriverait pas aujourd’hui » a déclaré Stephanie Gilmore « mais au fil de la journée, je me suis mis à y croire. La France est un pays si accueillant, être encouragée par autant de gens sur la plage, c’est très touchant. Je crois que je vais me mettre à pleurer. »

Stephanie Gilmore a remporté 4 titres mondiaux consécutifs de 2007 à 2010, dominant outrageusement le surf féminin. 3ème mondiale l’an passé, elle retrouve aujourd’hui son statut de n°1 et intègre le cercle fermé des plus grandes stars du sport féminin.

« Cette année, j’ai décidé de me consacrer à retrouver ma constance et du plaisir à surfer » ajoute la championne. Entre mes débuts parmi l’élite il y a 5 ans et maintenant, le surf féminin à tellement progressé. C’est vraiment un honneur d’être de retour au plus haut niveau, les autres surfeuses m’ont poussé vers le haut tous les jours. »

Grâce à cette nouvelle victoire, l’Australienne intègre la caste des surfeuses aux 5 titres mondiaux dépassant Freida Zamba (USA), Wendy Botha (AUS) et Lisa Andersen au Panthéon du Surf. Seuls Kelly Slater et Layne Beachley ont remporté plus de titres qu’elle (11 pour Slater et 7 pour Beachley).

Malgré une saison exceptionnelle ponctuée par deux victoires, la Roxy girl Sally Fitzgibbons, déjà deux fois vice-championne du monde, voit le titre mondial lui échapper une troisième fois après avoir été battue par Coco Ho en quarts de finale. A 21 ans la prodigieuse surfeuse de Guerroa demeure néanmoins l’une des principales prétendantes à une couronne mondiale dans les saisons à venir.

Revoir les meilleures séries, vagues, photos du Roxy Pro sur www.roxylive.com

ROXY PRO BIARRITZ FINALE:
1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 18.53
2 – Tyler Wright (AUS) 13.10

ROXY PRO BIARRITZ DEMI FINALES:
SF 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) 14.66 def. Coco Ho (HAW) 9.37
SF 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 17.10 def. Carissa Moore (HAW) 12.50

ROXY PRO BIARRITZ QUARTS DE FINALE:
QF 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) 11.37 def. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 10.53
QF 2: Coco Ho (HAW) 12.60 def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 8.76
QF 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 13.57 def. Malia Manuel (HAW) 10.00
QF 4: Carissa Moore (HAW) 16.33 def. Laura Enever (AUS) 12.07

ROXY PRO BIARRITZ ROUND 4:
Heat 1: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 11.40 def. Lakey Peterson (USA) 9.50
Heat 2: Coco Ho (HAW) 11.67 def. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 8.77
Heat 3: Malia Manuel (HAW) 12.10 def. Paige Hareb (NZL) 9.16
Heat 4: Laura Enever (AUS) 12.13 def. Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 8.66

CLASSEMENT ASP WORLD TOUR 2012 (Après Roxy Pro Biarritz):
1. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 48,400 pts
2. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 42,100 pts
3. Carissa Moore (HAW) 36,700 pts
3. Tyler Wright (AUS) 36,700 pts
5. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 34,800 pts