Steph’s showdown

DEFENDING Roxy Pro champion Stephanie Gilmore says she still feels she has at least “another world title in me’’ as she prepares for her defence of the tournament crown in the women’s world tour opener on the Gold Coast.

Gilmore (pictured yesterday) and world champion Tyler Wright head an intimidating armada of Australian surfers out to put their mark on one of the best records in world surfing at the Roxy Pro at Snapper Rocks.

The annual event has proved a happy hunting ground for Australian women who have won 12 of the 16 titles decided since the inaugural event in 2002.

And the locals have protected their turf well in recent times with American Carissa Moore the last international to win the event in 2015 prior to Wright’s second win in 2016 and Gilmore’s sixth crown just a year ago.

“This is the one you want to win. It’s my break, it’s an event I love and the atmosphere is amazing,’’ Gilmore said.

The event has also traditionally also provided a sneak peek at the women most likely to be dominating the world title race with Gilmore winning the crown at Snapper Rocks en route to four of her six world titles and Moore winning the Roxy Pro prior to both her 2011 and 2015 world crowns.

Gilmore says her narrow loss to Wright last December has stoked her competitive fire, as has the close competition between the top women surfers in the world.

“You live and learn, but it still stings,’’ she said of finishing runner-up to Wright.

“To see four or five girls battling right to the end has me excited for this year. It’s got a lot more interesting because it’s so close. I still feel I have another world title or more in me.’’

The Roxy Pro could start as early as Sunday on the Gold Coast.

A highlight of the opening round will be the all-Aussie battle between Gilmore, Bronte Macaulay and teenager Macy Callaghan, the latter rushed into the line as an injury replacement for Courtney Conlogue..