Gilmore tunes up in France
KINGSCLIFF surf star Stephanie Gilmore was unstoppable as she charged to victory at the inaugural ASP Swatch Girls Pro, taking the title after overcoming Coco Ho at the main contest site of Les Bourdaines, France.
Gilmore is on fire this season as she guns for her fourth consecutive ASP world title and while her victory in France won’t count towards the championship, she considers it a good training run heading into the Peru event on June 5.
Gilmore claimed victory after leading from the opening siren and finishing off with a ride that scored 8.5 points out of a possible 10 with only seconds remaining.
The swell remained a solid 1.5 metres throughout the day, with a strong onshore wind making conditions tough for the girls and turning heats into a battle of physical fitness as well as surfing ability. “It is good training and great to hang out with all the girls here,” Gilmore said.
“It is hard work at these events because you have to surf more times and there are more girls in the water so it is difficult but it feels good to know that I can still cut it and compete at these events and I’m sure that all these girls are hungry to join the world tour soon.”
Gilmore has won three of the first four women’s world tour events this year.
