Source : ABC NEWS
Young Brazilian Luana Silva says she was overwhelmed to defeat one of her idols, Australian Stephanie Gilmore, at Bells Beach.
Gilmore’s World Surf League (WSL) return as a full-time competitor started on the wrong note on Saturday.
Silva eliminated the eight-time world surfing champion in the first round.
Gilmore, a four-time winner at Bells Beach, had previously never finished worse than the quarterfinals.
Silva led throughout their heat in the four- to six-feet conditions, scoring 11.83 to 6.10.
Gilmore, 38, is competing in the World Surf League as a wildcard after a two-year sabbatical from full-time competition.
Silva was runner-up to Australian Isabella Nichols at Bells Beach last year.
She said Gilmore helped inspire her to become a professional surfer.
“I don’t think I could have had a harder match-up … she’s the ‘GOAT’,” Silva said.
“She had more to lose than I did, but at the same time, these last two years, I actually got her spot when she wanted to take the break.
“So it’s like, ‘Thanks Steph, I can’t be your friend in the water’.
“But I’m stoked. She’s been my inspiration since I was eight years old. I have the most respect for her — she’s just the GOAT, I love her.”
Luana Silva was a runner-up at Bells Beach last year. (Getty Images/WSL: Ed Sloane, File)
Silva said she focused on her own surfing but admitted to being in awe of Gilmore as they went head-to-head.
“When I paddled out there, it was such a ‘pinch-me’ moment. Steph at Bells, how much better could that be?” she said.
“I was kind of fan-girling out in the water before the heat, too, but I had to turn it off.”
The new competition format means all heats are elimination.
US five-time world champion Carissa Moore, also back in the WSL as a wildcard, won her opening-round heat.
Australian Sally Fitzgibbons also progressed to the second round, but compatriot Ellie Harrison fell to American Lakey Peterson.
The men’s second round followed the women on Saturday afternoon, with only two heats possible because of changing conditions.
Australian Joel Vaughan lost to Brazilian Miguel Pupo, before George Pittar had a major upset win over 2023 Bells Beach winner Ethan Ewing in an all-local heat.
AAP
