Roxy Pro Update – Semifinals on Hold
As of today the women’s semifinals are on hold but yesterday the Roxy Pro Gold Coast was held in clean two-to-three foot waves at Duranbah Beach with the women surfers competing in three rounds of surfing before getting down to the semifinalists by the end of the long day.
Stephanie Gilmore, the reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion from Australia (show competing in her blue women’s board shorts above), was in sensational form today, beating Megan Abubo, of Hawaii, in Round 3 before ousting fellow Australian, Chelsea Hedges in the quarterfinals.
“It was a great heat with Chelsea (Hedges),” Gilmore said. “There was a lot of energy before we went down to the water and it just felt great. I love surfing with her, but it’s always hard. As I’ve said before, she’s probably the only girl I’ve ever competed against who can throw a 7 or 8 right back in your face at the start of a heat and it really fires me up. Of course, to come out on top is always a bonus.”
Gilmore is now into the Semifinals and looks to be the event favorite, securing the day’s high heat total of a 16.83 out of a possible 20 in her Round 3 heat.
“My last big result at home was when I was a wildcard at 17,” Gilmore said. “It’s always a treat to surf at home in front of your friends and family. Now that I’m through to the Semifinals, I’m feeling really good and hopefully, we’ll get to finish at Snapper Rocks.”
Gilmore will face 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie Paige Hareb , of New Zealand, in Semifinal 1 when Roxy Pro Gold Coast competition continues.
