Stephanie Gilmore knocked out but embracing pressure of being among world title favourites

STEPHANIE Gilmore says she is not afraid to express her desire for a seventh world championship despite some of her rivals being unwilling talk titles.

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STEPHANIE Gilmore says she is not afraid to express her desire for a seventh world championship despite some of her rivals being unwilling to engage in title talk.

Gilmore was knocked out in the quarter-finals of the Roxy Pro yesterday by fellow Aussie Tyler Wright but will bank a “keeper’’ result from the first event of the year.

A six-time world champion, Gilmore missed most of last year’s season with a knee injury but has come back refreshed and hungry to equal Layne Beachley’s record with a seventh world crown.

“That’s why I’m on the tour, that’s why I’m here, that’s why I want to win these heats,’’ the Tweed Heads star said when asked if she embraced the talk of winning another title.

“It’s a funny thing when everyone’s too scared to talk about it but at the end of the day, that’s why we compete on the world tour.

“I am (comfortable with the pressure).

“I’ve definitely had that experience. I’ve been in a position where I’m chasing after one or I’m defending a world title and I guess I have that luxury of being able to remember those emotions, those nerves, how to deal with it and stuff like that.’’

And while she can draw on experience, Gilmore said this season was sure to be different from any other year on tour.

The women’s tour is experiencing unprecedented depth and Gilmore’s path to the world title is more difficult than ever.

“Every single year is different and the level of the girls gets harder and harder, so it’s never really the same experience,’’ she said.

“You really have to go into it with a fresh mind and embrace the feelings but just be excited for it.’’

Three-time world champion Carissa Moore, Tyler Wright, Sally Fitzgibbons and Courtney Conlogue are among the other title contenders and most have been upfront about their ambition heading into the season.

How much they will embrace that pressure during the year remains to be seen though.

“Everyone’s different, some people want to block it out,’’ Gilmore said.

“We’re at the first event of the year and we’re just getting to the (semi) finals, so it’s pretty early to talk about it.

“Some people don’t want to talk about it and that’s totally up to them.’’

While Gilmore lost her quarter-final, she was thrilled to be able to go head-to-head with Wright, saying it was the quality match-ups she had missed during her time out.

“I love those feelings of the battles and the rivalries and the nerves and excitement,’’ she said.

“It’s really cool. I think having that time off, I’m coming into it with new eyes again and it’s pretty exciting stuff.’’