And says she'll back on the tour in 2026 in her thirty-ninth year.
It was to nobody’s surprise that ol Stephanie Gilmore took one whiff of Caity Simmers and Molly Picklum’s foaming and frenzied madness last year and quit the tour.
It was, ostensibly time off, but the champ, who turned thirty-seven in June, and who won her first world title in her rookie year of 2007, wasn’t going to upset her reputation for beatitude and calm with the sloppiness of age.
The zenith for Stephanie Gilmore’s career came in 2022 when she dominated Finals Day, starting in fifth place, mowing through all-comers before beating Carissa Moore in the winner-take-all surf-off.
Stephanie Gilmore’s cunning and intelligence were laid bare a few minutes ago when it was announced she would be climbing off the bench to compete as a wildcard at the Gold Coast, which is to be contested at Burleigh Heads, waiting period starting this weekend.
Real smart ‘cause Stephanie Gilmore has won the contest six times.
I’m super excited to have this opportunity to get back in the jersey for the CT’s return to the Gold Coast,” Gilmore, who says she’s gonna return to the tour in 2026 in her thirty-ninth year, says. “I’ve been enjoying my time away from tour, but I’m still a competitor at heart, so I am really looking forward to clicking back into that mindset and testing myself after some time away from competition. It’s so close to home as well, so it’s really a no-brainer.
“I’m definitely not as in tune with Burleigh as I am with Snapper (Rocks), but it’s still a perfect right point, so I feel like it’s a spot that suits my style. It will be my first time competing at Burleigh since I was a junior, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Ain’t gonna be easy.
She hits world champ Caity Simmers and Bells runner-up Luana Silva in the opening heat although hard to imagine anyone slaying those little Rincon-esque runners better than the eight-timer.
How’s it going to play it out?
Good chance she gonna win, I say.
And a 2026 return? Smart play or Slater-esque in its futility?