Stephanie Gilmore chasing first world surf victory in two years at Maui Pro
SIX-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore is hoping to end her longest dry spell on the world surfing tour at the scene of two of her greatest triumphs.
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SIX-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore is hoping to end her longest dry spell on the world surfing tour at the scene of two of her great triumphs.
Gilmore started her bid to end a two-year drought on the World Surf League with a victory in the opening heat of the Maui Pro, Hawaii, on Thursday.
Gilmore was one of three Australians to advance directly into the third round with rookie Keely Andrew and recently crowned world champion Tyler Wright also wining their opening bouts.
Gilmore, currently sitting in sixth place on the world rankings, is hoping to improve her two year winless record while in Maui where she was crowned world champion two years ago and won her first title back in 2007.
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While Gilmore was knocked out of the Maui Pro event early in 2014, the results of her closest rivals — Sally Fitzgibbons and Tyler Wright — at the same event saw her claim her sixth world crown.
“Honolua Bay is such a magical place, especially for me because it’s where I won my first world title,” said Gilmore, whose last world tour win was in Portugal in 2014.
“I’ve had so many great events here too. The scenery is insane and in my eyes it’s the best place to finish the tour.
“I love coming back here and I always look forward to this event.
“I would love to win here. I haven’t had much success over the past couple of years but I’ve been working hard just to make sure I feel good so I hope we get some swell.”
The 2016 world title for women has already been determined with Australian Wright securing her maiden crown last month with an event in hand.
But on the line in Maui are automatic spots on next year’s world tour for the top 10 women.
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