- 2017-03-19
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SPORTS
World Surf League: Roxy Pro Gold Coast, Stephanie Gilmore Takes First Victory in 2017 season
Roxy Pro Gold Coast ran Quarterfinals, Semifinals and Final on March 19 at Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. Waves were in four-to-six foot (1.5 - 2.0 metre) conditions.
6-time World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) took the first victory in this season. Today’s win marks Gilmore’s 25th elite tour victory and her first since the Cascais Women’s Pro in 2014.
She defeated Carissa Moore (HAW) on Quarterfinals, Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) on Semifinals and Lakey Peterson (USA) on Final.
Especially, everyone deeply watched Quarterfinals, where she competed against Carissa Moore again. Day before yesterday, Carissa Moore beat Gilmore in 10 seconds remaining on Round 3. But on Quarterfinals, Stephanie Gilmore earned perfect 10, took down Carissa Moore with a total of 17.50.
While, runner-up Lakey Peterson (US) came back to this event from her injury. Last year she injured her ankle during practice at home beach in the US and canceled before starting Roxy Pro Gold Coast. But this year, she took the second place, beating current World Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) and Johanne Defay (FRA).
After the Final, Stephanie Gilmore said;
“I can’t believe it, I’ve been visualizing holding that trophy so much. It was so hard against Lakey [Peterson]. I’m so happy to have all the support from everyone here and there’s nothing better than winning at home.
I haven’t had the yellow jersey for a while and it’s going to feel so good to put that on. Getting to win an event again was really cool and it feels really rewarding to win. It’s so far from here but I’d love to win another World Title. It’s the greatest feeling in the world to win here, in the greatest place on earth in my eyes."
Runner-up Lakey Peterson stated;
"I can’t complain too much with the result. I just missed it by one spot so it keeps the fire lit in me. It stings a little, but I really think I put together a great contest and did my absolute best. It was a really fun time and I’m so stoked the waves worked out as well, we got pumping surf for this event. To compete against Stephanie [Gilmore] here gives me chills and is one to remember.
Margaret River is a big shift, but I’m excited this year. I feel pretty comfortable in the bigger stuff now so I hope we get some waves. Everyone is surfing so well this year so it’s really fun to be part of it. I want to win the World Title for sure. After sitting on the sidelines and watching Tyler [Wright] dominate last year, I wanted to tap into that and come out guns blazing."
Roxy Pro Gold Coast Final Results:
1 - Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.60
2 - Lakey Peterson (USA) 12.66
Roxy Pro Gold Coast Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Lakey Peterson (USA) 18.60 def. Johanne Defay (FRA) 13.70
SF 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.27 def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 14.86
Roxy Pro Gold Coast Quarterfinal Results:
QF 1: Johanne Defay (FRA) 13.44 def. Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 9.50
QF 2: Lakey Peterson (USA) 17.10 def. Tyler Wright (AUS) 9.93
QF 3: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 14.00 def. Keely Andrew (AUS) 13.63
QF 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 17.50 def. Carissa Moore (HAW) 13.83
All photos copyright by World Surf League.- source : World Surf League