By Lincoln Feast
Australia’s Stephanie Gilmore surfed her way through the field to claim a record-breaking eighth world title, overcoming American five-time world champion Carissa Moore in the final in Southern California on Thursday (Friday AEST).
The stylish Gilmore, who honed her surfing on the Gold Coast, made the most of the deteriorating conditions at the venue of Lower Trestles, Southern California’s premier cobblestone pointbreak.
Gilmore in action at Lower Trestles earlier this week.Credit:Getty
Gilmore, 34, had to battle through a series of head-to-head matches for a chance at the best-of-three title decider, overcoming Brisa Hennessy from Costa Rica, Brazil’s Tatiana Weston-Webb and France’s Johanne Defay.
“I don’t have much left to be honest,” an emotional Gilmore said. “I visualised it so much, I was like let’s do this, I have a chance.”
“I was thinking out there, whatever happens, happens,” Gilmore said. “I’m really proud that I was able to make it past Brisa, Tatiana, Johanne – all of the most incredible female surfers in the world – and then to make it all the way in the final against Carissa, who in my mind, she’s the real world champ this year.”
Moore, the top seed after the 10-stop world tour, progressed directly to the final but the 2021 world champion and surfing’s first Olympic gold medallist struggled to find the waves to unleash her powerful turns.
The win confirmed Gilmore as the most successful women’s professional surfer ever, breaking her tie with countrywoman Layne Beachley who won seven world titles in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Brazil’s Filipe Toledo beat countryman Italo Ferreira in the men’s final to claim his first world title, confirming his reputation as the best small wave surfer on the planet and extending the dominance of the “Brazilian Storm”.
“It’s just the relief. All the hard work you know, nine years, sacrificing a lot, my family – you know how hard it is to leave your kid behind,” Toledo said after embracing his family on the beach.
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