Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach guide: Stephanie Gilmore chasing fifth title
Last year it was the Mick Fanning farewell show. This year things will be very different at Bells Beach when the surfing hotspot hosts round two of the women’s and men’s world surfing tours.
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Last year it was the Mick Fanning farewell show. This year things will be very different at Bells Beach when the Victorian surf break hosts round two of the women’s and men’s 2019 world tour events.
This year every round of the WSL is cucial for surfers with the tour doubling as an important part of Olympic selection.
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NATION V NATION: Australia, US battle for women’s crown
It is also the second of only three world tour surfing events held in Australia.
US teenager Caroline Mark and Brazilian Italo Ferreira will wear the yellow leaders vests into Bells Beach after winning round one of the world tour on the Gold Coast.
WHO
The top 17 women’s surfers in the world plus wildcards, and the top 34 men in the world plus wildcards will all compete at the annual event.
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WHAT
It is the second round of the women’s and men’s world surfing tour.
The opening event was at Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast last month.
DEFENDING CHAMPIONS
Stephanie Gilmore won her fourth crown at Bells in 2018.
Brazilian Italo Ferreira won his first.
OWEN WRIGHT: Ready to fly high again
OLYMPIC AMBITIONS: Daughter of a gun chasing Tokyo spot
AUSSIES TO WATCH
Stephanie Gilmore is Australia’s most winning surfer at Bells Beach and looking to shine again after a forgettable start to the season on the Gold Coast.
Australia does not have a single man currently on the Wold Tour who has won at Bells previously.
However Wade Carmichael, brothers Owen and Mikey Wright and Julian Wilson will be looking to shake things up at Bells.
THE NUMBERS GAME
Lisa Andersen was the first woman to win four Bells titles - a feat matched by Stephanie Gilmore in 2018.
Mark Richards, Kelly Slater and Mick Fanning have all won at Bells four times.
No current male surfer on the world tour has won it more than once.
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WORLD SURF LEAGUE
The WSL was formerly known as the ASP World Tour.
The series is used to determine the men’s and women’s world champions of surfing each year after a series of events. It will also play a major role in determining the surfers competing at next year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo.
THE VENUE
It is one of the best known surf venues in the world and is made up of several breaks, including The Bowl, Outside Bells, Rincon, Centreside, Southside and Winkipop.
The Bowl is the steep final section of the wave. Outside Bells is the main break that produces a long, fast, even wall when it gets above six foot. Winkipop runs over a reef producing a quick, hollow wave.
PAST WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS
2018: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
2017: Courtney Conlogue (US)
2016: Courtney Conlogue (US)
2015: Carissa Moore (HAW)
2014: Carissa Moore (HAW)
2013: Carissa Moore (HAW)
2012: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
2011: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
2010: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
2009: Silvana Lima (BRA)
2008: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
2007: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
2005: Sofia Mulanovich (PER)
2001: Neridah Falconer (AUS)
2000: Megan Abubo (HAW)
1999: Layne Beachley (AUS)
1998: Layne Beachley (AUS)
1997: Lisa Andersen (USA)
1996: Pauline Menczer (AUS)
1995: Lisa Andersen (USA)
1994: Layne Beachley (AUS)
1993: Pauline Menczer (AUS)
1992: Lisa Andersen (USA)
1991: Pauline Menczer (AUS)
1990: Lisa Andersen (USA)
1989: Wendy Botha (AUS)
1988: Kim Mearig (USA)
1985: Frieda Zamba (USA)
1984: Kim Mearig (USA)
1983: Helen Lambert (AUS)
1982: Debbie Beacham (USA)
1980: Margo Oberg (USA)
1979: Lynne Boyer (USA)
1978: Margo Oberg (USA)
1977: Margo Oberg (USA)
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PAST MEN’S CHAMPIONS
2018: Italo Ferreira (Bra)
2017: Jordy Smith (SA)
2016: Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
2015: Mick Fanning (AUS)
2014: Mick Fanning (AUS)
2013: Adriano de Souza (BRA)
2012: Mick Fanning (AUS)
2011: Joel Parkinson (AUS)
2010: Kelly Slater (USA)
2009: Joel Parkinson (AUS)
2008: Kelly Slater (USA)
2007: Taj Burrow (AUS)
2006: Kelly Slater (USA)
2005: Trent Munro (AUS)
2004: Joel Parkinson (AUS)
2003: Andy Irons (HAW)
2002: Andy Irons (HAW)
2001: Mick Fanning (AUS)
2000: Sunny Garcia (HAW)
1999: Shane Dorian (HAW)
1998: Mark Occhilupo (AUS)
1997: Matt Hoy (AUS)
1996: Sunny Garcia (HAW)
1995: Sunny Garcia (HAW)
1994: Kelly Slater (USA)
1993: Damien Hardman (AUS)
1992: Richie Collins (USA)
1991: Barton Lynch (AUS)
1990: Tom Curren (USA)
1989: Martin Potter (GBR)
1988: Damien Hardman (AUS)
1987: Nick Wood (AUS)
1986: Tom Carroll (AUS)
1985: Tom Curren (AUS)
1984: Cheyne Horan (AUS)
1983: Joe Engel (AUS)
1982: Mark Richards (AUS)
1981: Simon Anderson (AUS)
1980: Mark Richards (AUS)
1979: Mark Richards (AUS)
1978: Mark Richards (AUS)
1977: Simon Anderson (AUS)
1976: Jeff Hakman (HAW)
1975: Michael Peterson (AUS)
1974: Michael Peterson (AUS)
1973: Michael Peterson (AUS)