Gilmore’s pressure opens rivals’ doors
EVEN seven-time world champions feel the pressure of defending their crown ... just ask Stephanie Gilmore.
The Tweed Coaster’s World Surf League title defence got off to a slow start yesterday, with Gilmore pipped in her opening-round heat of the Gold Coast Pro by Danish-born, Sunshine Coast-raised Isabella Nichols.
In solid four-to-five foot waves at Duranbah, where the event moved for a second day from traditional venue Snapper Rocks, Nichols scored a two-wave total of 11.60 out of 20 to pip Gilmore by 1.43 points.
Despite not winning, Gilmore progressed to the third round, with New Zealand’s Paige Hareb finishing third.
The 31-year-old admitted starting her year in the world No.1’s yellow rash vest had played a part in her showing.
“First event of the year, it’s a light, bright jersey but it has some weight to it,” Gilmore said. “First heat of the year I wanted two excellent scores and really start strong, and I didn’t do that.
“It’s a long year but it’s important to start strong so I’ve got work to do ”
Gilmore will next face NSW tour rookie Macy Callaghan in the third round after the teenager survived a second-round elimination heat along with Sally Fitzgibbons.
Under a new competition format for 2019, last-placed competitors from the firstround heats are placed into three-woman heats in the second round. Only the top two in each heat progress.
Fitzgibbons could only score 9.4 in her openinground heat with young American Caroline Marks (14.50) and West Australian Bronte Macaulay (12.84) finishing ahead of the threetime world championship runner-up.
Fitzgibbons bounced back in the second round, posting a two-wave score of 13.00 to ease past Callaghan (11.83) and Keely Andrew (11.73).
“When you’re faced with the little challenges of being in third place or just battling it out with these women – they’re the best in the world – you’ve just got to be OK with whatever situation you’re in,” Fitzgibbons said.
“Got to have another surf today, so that was the awesome side ... just trusting I’ve done all the work and let it come out.”
Fitzgibbons faces two-time tour runner-up Courtney Conlogue in a eye-catching third-round heat. Nichols’ reward for beating Gilmore is a third-round heat with 17year-old Marks, who last year became the youngest athlete to secure a fulltime spot on the men’s or women’s tour.
IT’S A LIGHT, BRIGHT JERSEY BUT IT HAS SOME WEIGHT TO IT
STEPHANIE GILMORE