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Brazilian Surfer Luana Silva Defeats Stephanie Gilmore in First Round at Bells Beach
Luana Silva of Brazil defeated eight-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore of Australia in the first round of the World Surf League event at Bells Beach. Gilmore, returning after a two-year sabbatical, scored 6.10 while Silva scored 11.83 in four- to six-foot conditions. Silva, who cited Gilmore as an inspiration, advanced to the second round.
Apr 4, 6:55 PM·2m read1 source
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Bells Beach, Australia (Substrate) -- Luana Silva of Brazil upset Stephanie Gilmore of Australia in the first round of the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach on Saturday. The match took place under four- to six-foot wave conditions, with Silva maintaining the lead throughout the heat.
Silva scored 11.83 points, compared to Gilmore's 6.10, securing her advancement in the elimination-format competition. Gilmore, 38, entered the event as a wildcard after a two-year break from full-time World Surf League (WSL) competition. This marked her return to the tour, where she has won eight world titles and four Bells Beach events.
Prior to this heat, Gilmore had never finished worse than the quarterfinals at Bells Beach. Silva, who finished as runner-up to Isabella Nichols at the same event last year, described the matchup as challenging. Gilmore's sabbatical opened opportunities for other surfers, including Silva, to compete in her spot.
Silva expressed admiration for Gilmore, whom she has followed since age eight and credited with inspiring her professional career.
“I don't think I could have had a harder match-up ... she's the 'GOAT'.”
Silva noted focusing on her own performance despite feeling awe during the heat, describing it as a 'pinch-me' moment paddling out against Gilmore at Bells Beach.
The women's first round saw additional advancements, including five-time world champion Carissa Moore of the United States winning her wildcard heat. Australian Sally Fitzgibbons also progressed to the second round, while Ellie Harrison lost to American Lakey Peterson.
