Source : ABC NEWS
Eight-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore has all but confirmed a return to the top level next year following her quarter-final finish at the Gold Coast Pro last week.
The greatest female surfer of all time will not be at Margaret River when the World Surf League championship tour event kicks off today, but the 37-year-old says a promising comeback at Burleigh Heads has reignited her competitive fire.
“Jeffreys Bay sounds pretty good, Lower Trestles, Fiji,” she said.
“I was excited to go out there and test myself against the best girls in the world and see if I can still do it.
“Now I’m thinking I want to get some revenge.”
Steph Gilmore has just finished competing at the Gold Coast Pro after a wildcard entry. (Supplied: WSL / Beatriz Ryder)
After an 18-month break from the sport, Gilmore was granted a wildcard entry into her home event.
She claimed the prized scalp of reigning women’s world champion, 19-year-old Caitlin Simmers, before going down to another rising star, 17-year-old Erin Brooks, in the finals.
Brooks was just five months old when Gilmore won her first world title in her rookie year on tour in 2007.
“I used to always see stats when Kelly [Slater] would surf heats against up-and-comers and they were like, ‘Kelly was on tour for five years before this guy was born,'” Gilmore said.
“Now that’s the situation I’m in, and it’s cool.
“Time goes quick when you’re having fun.“
Gilmore says she has unfinished business after she was beaten by Erin Brooks in the quarter finals. (Supplied: WSL / Beatriz Ryder)
Having proved to herself she still has what it takes to match it with an exciting new generation of female talent on tour, Gilmore said she had unfinished business and was hungry to avenge her loss.
The WSL’s new-look 2026 schedule will help to sweeten the deal.
A return to the “Dream Tour” destinations and the axing of the controversial mid-season cut made it likely fans would be seeing the biggest name in the sport back in a rashie next year.
Gilmore admits she has missed the adrenaline rush of high-stakes competition and the energy of surfing in front of big crowds, but do not expect to see her at every stop.
“At the end of the day, I think it’s more about your personal drive and motivation,” she said.
“If I still want it, then I think I can still apply myself and chase after it.“
