STEPH GILMORE TAKES NUMBER TWO!

 

Stephanie Gilmore, reigning three-time ASP Women’s World Champion, has claimed the 2010 Rip Curl Women’s Pro¬† over opponent Sofia Mulanovich, in a hard-fought Final at Bells Beach in Australia on Saturday April 3rd. Event No. 2 on the 2010 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Rip Curl Women’s Pro came to a dramatic close today, with the unstoppable, young Australian collecting her third Bells Title in four attempts.

“I’m a bit overwhelmed by this,” Gilmore said. “To ring the bell once is an amazing feeling, but three times? I don’t think the gravity of it has sunk in yet. It’s an incredible event and I feel very fortunate to have achieved such success here so far.”

While not necessarily a standout in the earlier rounds, Gilmore appeared to bide her time at the Rip Curl Women’s Pro, peaking on the final day of competition with some incendiary performances.

“I wasn’t in a hurry,” Gilmore said. “It’s probably not the most exciting frame of mind for the spectators, but I know that it doesn’t totally count until the Final, so that was my game plan and I guess it kind of worked for me. It’s what I’ve used for a lot of events and it seems to work.”

Having collected two wins from two events in 2010, Gilmore now has a commanding lead as she hunts down a fourth ASP Women’s World Title.

“Two for two is definitely an unexpected start of the year but I guess when you’re not really expecting too much that’s when it all just comes your way,” Gilmore said. “Winning the World Title is such an incredible feeling – it’s quite rare so while I can, I just might as well keep winning. But it does take a lot of energy.‚Äù

Sofia Mulanovich (PER), 26, former ASP Women’s World Champion (2004), surfed exceptionally well throughout the day despite suffering from a neck injury in yesterday’s Round 3. The fleet-footed Peruvian’s Runner-Up finish is good enough to vault her to ASP Women’s World No. 2 heading into the third event of the year.

“I’m not at my 100% but I’m just stoked to make it to the Finals,” Mulanovich said. “That’s why I really want to go get treated before my Final. Hopefully it feels better before the next event.”

Highlights from the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach presented by Ford Fiesta will be available via www.live.ripcurl.com

RIP CURL WOMEN’S PRO BELLS BEACH FINAL RESULTS:
1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 14.67
2 – Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 10.00

RIP CURL WOMEN’S PRO BELLS BEACH SEMIFINALS RESULTS:
SF 1: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 13.50 def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 10.67
SF 2: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 10.50 def. Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 10.50

RIP CURL WOMEN’S PRO BELLS BEACH QUARTERFINALS RESULTS:
QF 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 16.50 def. Coco Ho (HAW) 3.34
QF 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 17.34 def. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 4.56
QF 3: Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 9.33 def. Silvana Lima (BRA) 4.83
QF 4: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 9.93 def. Melanie Bartels (HAW) 7.67

Tags: asp, Bells Beach Pro, Rip Curl, Sofia Mulanovich, stephanie gilmore