Stephanie Gilmore became the first surfer to win the Association of Surfing Professionals World title in their rookie season, a feat never achieved by even the greats of surfing, Layne Beachley and Kelly Slater.
The 19-year old from Coolangatta, Australia, made history by winning the final leg of the ASP Women's World Tour at the Billabong Pro Maui at Honolua Bay in December, where the waves were barreling hard. During the year, Gilmore claimed victories at the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach, the NAB Beachley Classic in Sydney and the Mancora Peru Classic. The last two wins coming back-to-back. Gilmore said: “It's truly an honour to make my way into the history books.”
