No record-smashing eighth crown for Gilmore says "His Holy Frothness".
The former BeachGrit habitué who now steers Surfline in Australia, Nick Carroll, has driven his sword into Stephanie Gilmore’s world title hopes in a sizzling interview on the always heart-quickening Ain’t That Swell podcast.
Carroll, who is sixty-three and described as “his Holy Frothness” for his storied forty-year-plus career in surf media, made the claim as he gave his characteristically thoughtful analysis of Rip Curl Finals Day, which is gonna be held at Lowers, sometime between September eight and sixteen.
Asked how he figured Gilmore, who goes into Finals Day ranked fifth and who must beat three other surfers to have a shot at world number one Carissa Moore, would fare, Carroll first, carefully applies a layer of butter.
“Ah, well, Stephanie, is probably my most favourite surfer in the world world, really, just because she’s got the best style of any surfer in the world and I’m a sucker for that. But…”
But.
“I will say she’s got absolutely no chance of winning this world title.”
Cue roar of laughter.
“She’s got some nasty opposition between her and Carissa and I suspect one will take her out at some point. But…”
But.
“If she was number two, she’d be a serious risk to Carissa. Steph has a lot of surf for here, eight world titles, can you imagine? She’d be the all-time one, then. Imagine would Layne (Beachley, who ties Gilmore for most world titles at seven apiece) would say! But…”
But.
“I can’t see it, it’s too big an ask.”
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all i see is red/
I’m about to flag this as surfporn – SGs rear, soft and gravity-defying, plus NC’s tiniest yet piercing vintage man-nipples, all under the same article. Words are not enough for Dirty Derek.
I thought he was dead?
Or is that the other brother?
I’m sure I read one them overdosed??
I do love top photo that tells us Steph is on the far left!! I was struggling to work it out with those 3 arses
Are you sure!?!?!? I though Steph was on the RHS!??!?!
Nonsense, we all know Steph considers competing in the WSL akin to going to war – hanging around with her frenemies, drinking smoothies, the odd press conference and of course jumping into the trenches when any big lefthander barrel approaches! Maybe she has gone off to Ukraine to teach the Russians how it’s done!
she’s planted like 2-3 shrubs around the global contest sites too
It’s camouflage! Just like a war!
I’ve been hoodwinked this entire time. Hashtag Steph = Che let’s print some t shirts and get rich
preppin ’em to surf ulu lefts?
Photo by Tom Carroll. *I think the ladder is doing the heavy lifting here.*
Stef definately wins the best arse in that contest
Listened to the podcast ,nick actually is better to listen to than is to read , comes over slightly less of a total wanker (just a little)
I got about 3min into the Sally one.. her voice ain’t pleasing on the ears.
Most people don’t get that far
I don’t know, parkos got some good cushion for the pushing?
If a surf writer writes in a forest, and the forest is not BG, does the writing really get read?
Chas doesn’t like the word surf writer around these parts because his twitter handle is surf journalist.
Old longtom has been pumping out some good work lately, actually worth reading
As well as the 20 Dunny Reds tucked in his waistband, also notice the Casio digital watch on his left wrist, and he’s carrying what appears to be a transistor radio in his right hand.
Preparing for an afternoon of cricket ?
Or perhaps listening to the races, as it looks like what could be a rolled up betting guide on top of the radio…
good spotting. 70’s… could be anything couldn’t it?!
good shout with the cricket though.
late 90’s i was still punching down a dart or 2 before a surf, that would almost literally kill me now.
Must be a portable tape recorder and some pre prepared questions, he is a newspaper man after all
Caption this picture:
Steph: “Gee Mick, what’s doing there?”
Mick: “Pill dick”
Porko: “Still split you love”
Steph has more chance of winning Thursday night powerball than the world title.
UPDATE: I was wrong, and Steph should immediately buy herself 8 Powerball tickets!
Awesome outcome. Please retire on top Steph, not like Kelly!