We recently caught up with 4x world champ Stephanie Gilmore. Steph's 4th world title marks the first time a surfer has achieved a perfect record, going undefeated, with Steph claiming the crown as a rookie and every year since. Yeah, impressive.
Dailystoke: Four world titles in four years…. how many world titles is enough?
Steph: It’s not a specific number of world titles that appeals to me it’s the feeling at that moment of clinching the title that I enjoy, so I guess I’ll just have to wait and see how far I’ll go.
Dailystoke: Any plans of exiting on top, sabbaticals, semi-retirements, etc? Or are you on the Kelly Slater lifetime conquest plan?
Steph: My plans change everyday, and they usually don’t go much further than a month into the future so I can’t really answer that question.
Dailystoke: When's the last time you watched a men's WQS or World Tour heat and thought to yourself, “I could've won that heat”?
Steph: I don’t think I’ve ever watched at a men’s heat with that frame of mind.
Dailystoke: How good are you at playing yourself in the Rip Curl: Live the Search game?
Steph: I’m pretty uncoordinated at that but it’s a good time killer at airports etc.
Dailystoke: What would you reckon you'd be doing with your life if you never surfed?
Steph: Not too sure, maybe I’d be getting more into music or working on something with my sisters.
Dailystoke: You and Mick are about the same size, have similar looks, have the same major sponsor and shaper, have very similar styles and both dominate your respective tours. What gives? Are you shaving your head and slumming as Mick on the men's tour?
Steph: Haha that would be a great story but no. Yes it’s pretty rare that we live really close to each other and have a lot in common in that sense, he’s also taught me a lot and is always the most genuine human being, I think we’re both learning from each other and I’m stoked to have won a couple titles with him.
Dailystoke: When's the last time you got burned by a stranger and when's the last time you burned a stranger?
Steph: Any surf at Snapper and that will usually go down.
Dailystoke: Are you currently in a relationship? If so, then spill it. If not, since out surfing you is impossible, what does one need to do to win you over?
Steph: Haha you’ll need to buy me a yacht, a few diamonds, some vintage guitars and a private jet to do the tour in.
Dailystoke: When was the last time someone hit on you in the lineup and when was the last time you hit on someone in the lineup? (ignore the latter if it will cause you relationship harm)
Steph: No hit ons in the lineup…I find that unattractive.
Dailystoke: Since you're virtually unstoppable, who do you see as the biggest threat to winning more consecutive titles?
Steph: Whoever wishes to beat me will be the biggest threat!
Stephanie Gilmore (Tweed Heads, NSW, AUS) (pictured) claimed her fourth consecutive ASP Women's World Title in Puerto Rico when she defeated Melanie Bartels (HAW) during the Quarterfinals of the Rip Curl Pro Search.Gilmore, who has netted a total of three out of six event wins this season, had enough points lead over ASP World No. 2 Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) to see her rise to the pinnacle of women's professional surfing once again with a win in the quarterfinals. Gilmore defeated Bartels by the narrowest of margins posting a 13.87 to Bartels 13.77 (both out of 20.00).The Rip Curl Pro Search is the 9th event on the ASP World Tour and the 6th event on the ASP Women's World Tour. © ASP/ ScholtzPhotographer: Kirstin Scholtz
