Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic 2010: Stephanie Glimore Wins

Stephanie Gilmore is still the reigning queen of surf, ranked no.1 as she heads into the fifth event of the ASP Women’s World Tour at Lobitos, Peru on June 5.

Stephanie Gilmore, reigning and three-time ASP Women’s World Champion, is on her way to her fourth consecutive ASP Women’s World Title after winning the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic in Australia.

Glimore defeated Sally Fitzgibbons at the Bank Beachley Classic, the fourth event of the 2010 ASP Women’s World Tour.

After four consecutive lay days, Stephanie Gilmore has now won three of the four events she has contested this year, including her victories at Gold Coast and Bells Beach.

“It’s incredible how good this feels,” said Gilmore. “Competing in Australia is one of my favourite things to do. I feel comfortable in these waters and have won this event a few times. I guess I’m on a roll and I’m feeling good.”

With less than five minutes to go, Gilmore jagged a set wave, combining powerful, top-to-bottom manoeuvres with seamless transitions to take the win with a 7.20 and claim her third Bank Beachley Classic title.

“I was pretty nervous throughout the final," said Stephanie Gilmore. "Sally Fitzgibbons has been on fire all week. She’s so hungry for a win. But it was all about patience and I just had to sit there and wait for a wave of consequence.”

Gilmore won the Beachley Classic as a wildcard four years ago and then again as a world tour rookie in the next year. This year, she finished with a two-wave combined total of 14.20 out 20 to Fitzgibbon’s 12.40 total.

With her win, Gilmore has collected 1200 ratings points and $20,000, the largest cheque of the ASP Women’s World Tour. Additionaly, she maintains her world no.1 ranking.

Fitzgibbon, now ranked no.2, is getting tired of constantly trailing behind Gilmore.

“It’s a little frustrating to get back-to-back seconds,” said Fitzgibbons. “But I’m so happy to be in the situation to reach the final and eventually go down to Steph (Gilmore). I’m happy with the result, but am looking forward to the next event.”

However, Fitzgibbons remains upbeat with her ASP world no.2 status.

“Being world no.2 is a great place to be at this stage of the year,” said Fitzgibbons. “I haven’t been this high on the rankings before, but I’m definitely closer to where I want to be.”

The prize purse of the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic is a whopping $118,000, which makes it the most lucrative of the eight stops on the 2010 ASP Women’s World Tour.