Gilmore retains world surfing title | Water Sports | Marine and Boating

2nd December 2008

AUSTRALIAN Stephanie Gilmore retained the women's world surfing title when she snatched victory in the final of the penultimate event in Hawaii.

The 20-year-old Queenslander pulled out an 8.50 scoring wave in the dying minutes of the four-woman final to overtake Brazil's Silvana Lima and win the Roxy Pro in 1.5m waves at Sunset Beach.

The victory gave Gilmore an unassailable lead in the 2008 World Championship Tour points standings and continued the dominance of Australia's female surfers on the world stage.

"I had no idea this was going to happen today when I woke up this morning," Gilmore said.

"Sofia (Mulanovich) went down and then Layne (Beachley) went down and I found myself in the final with a chance to clinch it.

"It feels unbelievable."

Lima led from the outset in the 35-minute final by posting two solid scores early on to net a 14.16 out of a possible 20.

While waves were scarce during the final, Gilmore found a walling righthander in the dying moments and tore it to pieces to attain an 8.50 out of a possible 10 and walk away with her second world crown.

"I knew I had to win the final to claim the title here at Sunset and when Silvana (Lima) got off to such a solid start, I thought I would have to get a result in Maui," Gilmore said.

"I had a pretty solid score, but still needed a 6-something and there weren't many waves at all.

"Then I saw this little lump out the back and I knew it would be good when I was stroking into it.

"Turned out to be the best wave of the heat and put me over the top."

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