Gilmore rides waves to greatness in securing emotional seventh world title win
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Steph Gilmore is used to the view from the top of the world.
Key points:
- Lakey Peterson's early exit at Maui Pro secured seventh world title for Stephanie Gilmore
- Gilmore had advanced to third round with a dominant heat win in the first round
- At 30, Gilmore has chance to eclipse surfing great Layne Beachley to become most successful women's surfer
Her seventh world title, secured this week in Hawaii, takes her level with compatriot Layne Beachley on the all-time list of female champion surfers.
But she also knows what it's like to have the world fall in on her, too.
And at the tender age of 22, when she was the victim of a sickening attack that left her physically and mentally scarred.
Her latest victory is all the more extraordinary for the journey her career has taken to this point.
Gilmore claimed her first world title in 2007 as a 19-year-old rookie (she was still at school when she entered, and won, her very first tour event two years prior).
She won the next three world titles and was surfing in a league of her own, even asking of herself if she might remain world champion for her entire career.
Then, just after Christmas 2010, when simply walking home to her Tweed Heads apartment, a homeless man assaulted her with a metal bar in a senseless act of violence.
She was struck in the head and tore ligaments in her wrist while defending herself from repeated blows.
Her attacker — a schizophrenic whose condition was aggravated by alcohol and drug abuse — was sentenced to four years in prison.
Gilmore endured sleepless nights and flashbacks. Her carefree spirit for a time diminished.
Being told she couldn't surf for the next two months was a dual blow. It temporarily robbed her of her passion and profession, but also a possible source of healing.
Out on the ocean she always found peace. But she was unable to go there at a time when she needed that peace most.
The journey back to the top
Injury and an understandably shaken confidence ended her dominance in the waves once she did return.
Her bid for five straight world titles was effectively over.
"It took her a couple of years [to fully recover]," remembers her mother Tracy.
"When she first went back in the water, we were watching her and she fell, and she came out really holding her arm … she said 'every time I fall the pain shoots up my arm' and so it took a lot longer to get over the physical.
"Even longer to get over the mental, because when your safety has been compromised like that you do always keep looking over your shoulder."
Remarkably, just shy of two years after the attack Gilmore was world champion again.
Digging deep in to reserves of mental and physical strength she went on to win world titles in 2012 and 2014.
The steel behind the smile
The challenges, however, did not relent. The latest came in the form of fellow Australian Tyler Wright, who was deserved champion in 2016 and 2017.
External Link: Layne Beachley on Steph Gilmore: tweet2
Once more questions were asked about whether the surfer nicknamed "Happy Gilmore" still had the drive to be the best in the sport. To rise again in the face of competition from a new, younger group of surfers.
She never doubted herself.
Those who did simply mistook her easy-going nature for a lack of steel that her titles should have informed them was ever present.
"I always wanted it, I know I'm relaxed sometimes, I just have so much joy when I do it," she said on Tuesday.
"I love just running down the cliff and smiling at everyone and then going out there and putting on a fierce face and trying to be a fierce competitor.
"To be able to balance the two I just really, really enjoy that and it's been something I've loved to do my whole career."
An effortless grace in the waves
Gilmore was quick to pay tribute to Beachley for being a trailblazer in women's surfing.
"It's an honour to sit alongside you Layne, you've been a huge inspiration for my entire career and for so many female surfers all around the world so to equal you is amazing," Gilmore said.
"What an honour, thank you so much, thanks for setting the standard."
The feeling of admiration is mutual.
External Link: Steph Gilmore interview: tweet
"As a surfer she's beautiful and graceful and it looks effortless," Beachley told the ABC.
"As a competitor she's fiercely focussed and fiercely determined. I refer to her often as the smiling assassin.
"Steph's a tremendous role model, she's a wonderful ambassador for the sport and such a beautiful person inside and out so I'm incredibly excited for her.
"It takes me back to the amount of work and the amount of dedication and commitment that was required for any athlete to win seven world titles."
Gilmore wrapped up the world title when her only challenger, American Lakey Peterson, had a surprise loss to Hawaiian Alana Blanchard in the second round of the Maui Pro.
Watching the heat from the cliff, Gilmore held her arms aloft and wiped away tears as she realised the world title was hers.
"I'll never forget being a young girl and just surfing all day long, it was all I could think about," she said.
"It's still my first love, it gives me so much joy and just challenges you and it's just everything.
"To come here today and be able to achieve this, oh my gosh [it's] just so, so special.
"Surfing is the best, it really is."
At 30, Gilmore is one of the veterans on tour but also has ample time to win an eighth world title which would make her Australia's most successful surfer, female or male, in terms of wins on the elite tour.
The all-time record-holder, American Kelly Slater (11 world titles) is still on the tour at the age of 46. Is his record in danger from the Australian champion?
"I hate that question," she says, flashing a broad smile that suggests it's nevertheless one she has considered.
"I'm just gunna lap up seven … but this is so, so cool."
External Link: World Surf League tweets Congratulations @Steph_gilmore, 2018 WSL World Champion!
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