Roxy Pro Gold Coast: Steph keeps sweeping
Unlike her heats earlier in the day, including a 16.60 out of 20, Chelsea Hedges (AUS) wasn't aligned with the rhythm of the ocean. However, the new mom took equal 3rd in the first event of the 2010 year
In her second year on the ASP Tour, Coco Ho (HAW) proves herself a massive threat after winning Rookie of the Year
Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) was defeated by Coco Ho (HAW), and placed equal fifth
Reigning 3x ASP World Champion and 3x Roxy Pro Gold Coast Champ Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) defeated Rebecca Woods (AUS) to advance into the semifinals
Rookie Lee Ann Curren (FRA) concludes her first ASP event as equal 9th after Round 3
Carissa Moore (HAW) was defeated by Sophia Mulanovich (PER), who fell to Melanie Bartels (HAW) in the quarterfinals
Bruna Schmitz (BRA) finished equal 9th after she was defeated during round 3. The Brazilian finished 14th in 2009
Wildcard surfer Tyler Wright (AUS) was narrowly defeated by Gilmore during round 3. At 14-years old she made history as the youngest ever winner of an ASP World Tour Event, at the 2009 Beachley Classic
Melanie Bartels (HAW) put it all together for the final but couldn't find the waves to solidify first. This year she hired coach Nancy Emerson to help her with her mental competitive edge
Silvana Lima (BRA) defeated Lee Ann Curren to advance into round 4. Sil concluded 2009 in 2nd place, she currently sits 5th on tour
Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) first had to get through charger Coco Ho (HAW) in Semi Final No.1 before reaching the Final
Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) repeats history and recaptures the win at Snapper Rocks in Australia
Sources say Stephanie Gilmore is not a name soon forgotten. Checking the ASP archives alone- the 22-year old Australian from New South Wales has nabbed 3 consecutive ASP World Titles; one for every year she has competed on tour since 2007 (Also the first rookie in history to claim the ASP World Title in her first year on tour.) Combined with an incredible amount of ASP Dream Tour wins (11), style and a smile, Steph is the complete all-star status.
After taking the Roxy Pro Gold Coast title for 2010, Steph holds the top position on tour with eight stops remaining. Surfing on her home turf of Gold Coast of Australia, Steph defended her title with good wave selection and the confidence of a fit and talented surfer. The remaining semi finalists of the Roxy Pro were no chance contenders- Melanie Bartels (HAW), and Coco Ho (HAW) also made it through to the semifinals in 2009, as well as 2005 ASP World Champion Chelsea Hedges who claimed a top score of the competition, 16.60 points out of a possible 20. Chelsea took a sabbatical from full-time competition in 2008 to become a mom, and has now rejoined the tour as a top competitor. “I’m enjoying and loving my surfing right now,” Chelsea,26, said. “I probably don’t get to surf as much as the other girls with free surfing. Being a mom is tough. It’s hard to get all those hours in the water. I’m lucky to get one surf a day, but at the same time, every surf I do have, I’m really amped, and I love every minute of it. I’m like a little kid again. I feel like Coco and Sally, and those girls - I’m just a bit older though.”
Although she didn’t claim the Gold Coast title, Mel says she’s an improved competitive version of herself. We last saw Mel during the Van’s Triple Crown in Hawai’i this past winter. Since then she has hired a coach to improve her psyche on tour. “I’ve been having trouble mentally,” Mel said. “It’s not my surfing that I need help with. It’s more mentally so she (Coach Nancy Emerson) is helping me keep positive and surrounding me with positive vibes, and everyone has been supporting me and just believing in me. I’m beginning to believe in myself now, so you will see a different Mel on tour this year.”
She isn’t the first top pro surfer to take a step back and check their mental state before returning to competition. On the men’s tour, both Bruce and Andy Irons have pulled themselves from the tour to focus on free surfing and to rediscover their passion. As her sixth year on tour, Mel is fired up to bring some titles home to Makaha, Hawai’i.
North of Makaha, and beginning her second year on the ASP Tour, Sunset Beach local Coco is retaining her position as a top contender. After finishing third overall in 2009, Coco finishes in the top four of the Roxy Pro, sharing the number 3 spot on tour alongside Chelsea.
The next stop on the 2010 ASP Women’s World Tour will be the Rip Curl Women’s Pro presented by Ford New Fiesta at Bells Beach from March 30 through April 5, 2010. The final four from 2009 are Sally Fitzgibbons, Stephanie Gilmore, Silvana Lima and Sofia Mulanovich. After Steph and Sil battled it out in the finals, Sil was the one to take home the big bell (which is now tattooed on her ribs!) If that isn’t a reason to defend your title, I don’t know what is.
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com
ROXY PRO GOLD COAST FINAL RESULTS:
1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 12.40
2 – Melanie Bartels (HAW) 10.35
ROXY PRO GOLD COAST SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF1: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.00 def. Coco Ho (HAW) 9.17
SF2: Melanie Bartels (HAW) 13.00 def. Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 10.30
ASP WOMEN’S WORLD TOUR TOP 5 (After Roxy Pro Gold Coast)
1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
2 – Melanie Bartels (HAW)
3 – Coco Ho (HAW)
3 – Chelsea Hedges (AUS)
5 – Silvana Lima (BRA)
5 – Sofia Mulanovich (PER)
5 – Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
5 – Rebecca Woods (AUS)
