Gilmore countdown

Surf’s ‘smiling assassin’ delivers Olympic warning

“SEE you in Tokyo.”

And with that, Olympic gold medal contender and Australia’s smiling assassin of surfing Stephanie Gilmore, sent a message to the world.

Up on stage to collect her fifth win at the season-ending Maui Open in Hawaii yesterday, Gilmore had the final say of the year by dropping the subliminal hint to her rivals that the six-month countdown to Tokyo had begun. Finishing the 2019 World Championship Tour year ranked number four in the world, Gilmore — the most successful surfer in history — has been selected alongside world number five, Sally Fitzgibbons, to represent Australia at the Tokyo games in June.

It will be surfing’s debut as an Olympic sport.

“See you in Tokyo, this will be really cool,’’ Gilmore, the seven-time world champion, said, pointing to her rivals off stage. Gilmore, 31, completed her 2019 season by ending the incredible comeback story of one her closest friends, Tyler Wright.

Wright, Australia’s twotime world surfing champion, made her return to competition in Maui after being forced to put her career on hold for 17months.

So serious was the debilitating virus, Wright suffered a mess of neurological problems, that included her being unable to hold a conversation.

Yet despite returning to the water 10kg lighter as a result of the virus, Wright stunned her rivals by progressing all the way to the final, where she met her mentor, Gilmore.

“I couldn’t have thought of a better person to share the final with,’’ Gilmore said.

“We’ve missed her a lot, but she’s surfing better than ever.’’

Turning to Wright, Gilmore said: “I can’t wait to see you next year.

“I’m sure you’ll be as dangerous as ever.’’