Stephanie Gilmore wins ASP women’s world title 2008

SUNSET BEACH, Hawaii (Monday, December 1, 2008) – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 20, scalped her second consecutive ASP Women’s World Title today with an emphatic win at the Roxy Pro at Sunset Beach, ripping through the three-to-five foot (1.5 metre) waves at Sunset Point to defeat fellow finalists Silvana Lima (BRA), 24, Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), 22, and Nicola Atherton (AUS), 22.

Event No. 7 of 8 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Roxy Pro at Sunset Beach proved the most decisive event of year, seeing shock eliminations on the final day before Gilmore soared to victory to claim the 2008 ASP Women’s World Title.

“I had no idea this was going to happen today when I woke up this morning,” Gilmore said. “Sofia (Mulanovich) went down and then Layne (Beachley) went down and I found myself in the Final with a chance to clinch it. It feels unbelievable.”

“I knew I had to win the Final to claim the title here at Sunset and when Silvana (Lima) got off to such a solid start, I thought I would have to get a result in Maui,” Gilmore said. “I had a pretty solid score, but still needed a 6-something and there weren’t many waves at all. Then I saw this little lump out the back and I knew it would be good when I was stroking into it. Turned out to be the best wave of the heat and put me over the top.”

Gilmore’s clinching of her second consecutive ASP Women’s World Title makes it two-for-two for the young Australian, who has claimed the prestigious accolade in both years as a member of the ASP Women’s World Tour.

“The second one definitely feels better than the first one,” Gilmore said. “I’m going to savor this one for a while and then readjust my goals for next year. There should be big celebrations on for tonight.”

Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), 22, scored her season best finish with a 3rd place today, pushing the goofy-footer into 7th on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour ratings heading into the season-ender in Maui where she finished runner-up last year.

“I finished 4th out here at Sunset last year so I’m stoked to finish 3rd this year and hopefully I can keep improving next year,” Miley-Dyer said. “I was in the water with Steph (Gilmore) last year when she won the ASP Women’s World Title so to be in the water again feels really special. As for me, this year started off slow with an injury and a couple of average results, but I’m happy with my finish here and am looking forward to a strong showing in Maui.”