Bells Beach win rings in world surf title success for Stephanie Gilmore

As omens go it's a pretty good one - win the Bells Beach world tour surfing event over Easter and Stephanie Gilmore ends up a world champion later the same year.

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As omens go it's a pretty good one - win the Bells Beach world tour surfing event over Easter and Stephanie Gilmore ends up a world champion later the same year.

The seven-time world champion is well aware that winning form in the second world tour event of the year traditionally springboards her to world title success.

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Gilmore rang the winners bell for the first time in 2007, the year she claimed her first world crown, backed up in 2008, won again in 2010 and then waited eight years to ring the bell for the fourth time in 2018.

Clarissa Moore, Caroline Marks, Stephanie Gilmore and Nikki Van Dijk with the Bells Beach trophy. Pic: Alison Wynd

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“I’ve won other world titles when I haven’t won at Bells but it is clearly an important event for me,’’ Gilmore said ahead of her bid to become the first woman to win five Bells Beach crowns after matching American Lisa Andersen’s record of four a year ago.

“It’s a crucial event for setting up for the year. It’s been apparent how my year goes when I do well here.’’

Gilmore admits she is fired-up to defend her crown after a less than memorable fifth placing in the world tour opener earlier this month at her home break on the Gold Coast.

Stephanie Gilmore competing in the opening event of the world tour. Pic: WSL/Kelly Cestari.

Stephanie Gilmore after winning her fourth crown last year.

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Gilmore was beaten by US teen Caroline Marks who went on to win the event - the first where women received the same prizemoney as their male counterparts on the world tour.

“I won my first event at 17 and to see Caroline do the same thing was special,’’ Gilmore said.

“To see a young girl stand on centre stage and receive the same cheque as the men’s winner … I really think it was a win for all of us.

Stephanie Gilmore after winning her seventh world crown in November.

“This new generation won’t know any different now and that’s so good.’’

But Gilmore, who has her sights set on winning an eighth world crown this year, said losing always motivates her.

“I'm sure everyone who didn't win will be coming here with fresh eyes and motivation ,’’ she said. “I know I am feeling extra feisty.’’

Along with Gilmore, Sally Fitzgibbons is highly rated to excel at Bells as a former two-time winner (2011, 2012).

Other multiple winners of the women’s title competing are Americans Carissa Moore (2013, 2014, 2015) and Courtney Conlogue (2016, 2017).

No current Australian man on the world tour has ever won a Bells Beach title with Wade Carmichael, Owen Wright, Julian Wilson and Mikey Wright among those favoured to end the drought.