Source : ABC NEWS
Eight-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore will return to the World Surf League for a cameo at the Gold Coast Pro after almost two years away from competition.
The 37-year-old will take up a wildcard for the event, which she has won an unprecedented six times, with the opening round scheduled for this weekend.
Last competing in August 2023, Gilmore took the 2024 season off to focus on her mental health, and then days out from this year’s season-opener decided to extend her break.
But competition returning to home territory at Burleigh Heads for the first time since 2019 was enough to lure her back into action.
“I’m super excited to have this opportunity to get back in the jersey for the CT’s return to the Gold Coast,” Gilmore, who is set to return to the tour full-time next year, said.
“I’ve been enjoying my time away from tour, but I’m still a competitor at heart, so I am really looking forward to clicking back into that mindset and testing myself after some time away from competition.
“It’s so close to home as well, so it’s really a no-brainer.
“I’m definitely not as in tune with Burleigh as I am with Snapper (Rocks), but it’s still a perfect right point, so I feel like it’s a spot that suits my style.
“It will be my first time competing at Burleigh since I was a junior, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Gilmore has a tough opening heat, drawn against reigning world champion Caitlin Simmers and Brazilian Luana Silva, who finished runner-up at Bells Beach last weekend.
The event was relocated from Snapper Rocks to Burleigh Heads, which has not hosted a Championship Tour event in more than a decade, due to the change in waves from the recent cyclone that hit Queensland.
Gilmore will replace Brazil’s Tatiana Weston-Webb while Spanish surfer Nadia Erostarbe will step in for French veteran Johanne Defay, who has withdrawn from the remainder of the season while she prepares to welcome her first child.
Hawaiian Ian Gentil has taken a wildcard to replace Gabriel Medina, while Sydneysider Jordy Lawler will start in place of injured Moroccan Ramzi Boukhiam.
Callum Robson has been awarded the event wildcard, while a further two will enter the main draw following the trials.
Fellow Australians Jack Robinson and Isabella Nichols will look for successive titles after victories at Bells Beach.
Robinson has climbed to world number three, trailing Brazilian rankings leader Italo Ferreira and Queenslander Ethan Ewing while Nichols is up to number four, one place behind Molly Picklum.
AAP
