On December 13th 2007, Stephanie Gilmore took surfing’s history book and turned to the next clean page. What she had to write didn’t fit under any previous headings so she took a pen and scribed the following. I, Stephanie Gilmore, am the first ever surfer to win a world title in their rookie year. The page still only contains one name. On the 22nd of November this year, Steph will pull on the yellow jersey and paddle out to the very same wave that seven years ago helped deliver her first world title. This year, she’s chasing her sixth.

“2014 has been the most intense world title race of my career, hands down,” says Steph. “Maui is where I won my very first title in 2007 and it’s incredibly special to me. I’m nervous as heck, don’t get me wrong! It’s not like there’s just one girl that I’m waiting for to lose. It’s going right down to the very last event of the year, that’s what everyone wants to see! It’s wild, but I really love it.”

It’s been an incredible year on the Women’s World Championship Tour from all the surfers, but there are four contestants who have taken out every single event of the season. “I’ll win an event, then Sally will win an event, then Carissa will win and Tyler will win one. We’ve literally been hand balling each other the number one position in this world title hunt and it’s crazy,” Steph delivered with a grin after taking the event win at the Cascais Billabong Women’s Pro in Portugal last weekend. The win moved her into first place but unfortunately removed any chances of Carissa Moore defending her 2013 world title. Suddenly there’s just three.

Sally Fitzgibbons, Stephanie Gilmore and Tyler Wright have been surfing against each other for years. They know each other personally and competitively, and each girl will be using all their prior experience to succeed over their friends. “Sally is a fierce competitor! But she’s also probably the nicest person you’ve ever met in your life. Lately we’ve had a really great rivalry going where we’ve been back and fourth with the results. Tyler is scary to have in a heat, she surfs so good! I can’t go into too much detail of my game plan, but more than anything I remind myself that I’m just paddling out for another surf,” the five-time world champ adds.

The Title Breakdown 

If Steph wins the event, she wins the world title. If Steph gets runner up no matter who wins the event, she’ll also take the crown. If she places third and that’s higher than Sally, she’ll be walking away with the trophy.

For Sally to win she wants Steph to bow out at the quarterfinals and go on the take the event win herself. If Steph falls out of the competition early and the race is left to Sally and Tyler, Sally just needs to place higher than Tyler.

For Tyler to take the crown she ideally wants Steph to lose in elimination Round 2. She also has to relegate Sally to second place or less and win the event to have the chance of grabbing the trophy.

Probably the most interesting part of the race is that there are two scenarios in which the girls can tie for points. If Tyler wins the event with Steph making her quarterfinal heat, they will both sit on 64,200 points. If Steph places third and Sally wins, they’re going to tie for first place on 65,500. According to the ASP Rulebook, “In the event of a tie for any World Title at the end of the Surfing Season, the tied Surfer will have a “surf-off” during the final event which will have the format determined by the Tour Manager.” That could be interesting.

Whatever happens in Maui it’s going to be an incredible conclusion to the best year of women’s surfing we’ve ever seen. And in all likelihood, things are just going to get better. “I’m 26 and I feel like I’m just getting started,” Steph confesses. “Women’s surfing is benefitting so much from having these rivalries.”

One more question Steph, who would you rather have in the final? “That’s a hard one, Tyler and I have really good battles and with Sally you can’t even think you’ve won a heat until the hooter has gone because she will fight to the very end. To finish 2014 in Honolua Bay with three girls fighting is going to be the most exciting event ever.” We agree.

Steph and the buttery style that has provided five world titles at a tender age of 26. Photo: ASP/Masurel