Aussie surf legend locks in tour return
Melissa Woods |
Stephanie Gilmore will be back to chase a ninth world title with the Australian great confirming she will make a full-time return to the World Surf League in 2026.
After two years away from the tour the 37-year-old will take up a wildcard, as has her long-time rival Hawaiian Carissa Moore, who is making a comeback after becoming a mother.
Gilmore made a cameo at this year’s Gold Coast Pro and said she felt the competitive fires were still burning 20 years after making her Championship Tour debut.
“I’m really excited that I’ve accepted the 2026 WSL Championship Tour season Wildcard,” Gilmore said in a statement.
“The last few years, I’ve enjoyed time off to do some exploration and other things, but I’m looking forward to heading back to the CT in 2026, and seeing how I compete against the young talent on the tour.
“I’m mostly excited just to see how I go in these challenges again. When you step away from competing full-time, you can really switch off, and it can be hard to get back into that headspace, but I’m excited to feel that energy and that challenge again.
“I’m definitely excited to get back to all of those locations.”
Gilmore’s last world title came in 2022 when she entered the Finals ranked fifth and claimed five dominant heat wins to again lift the trophy.
She will have to topple Australia’s newest world champion Molly Picklum to win a ninth title.
With her record of 34 tour wins, the NSW surfer showed she could still match the current crop by eliminating 2024 world champion Caitlin Simmers at the Gold Coast Pro.
In her time away from competition she has surfed around the world, released a clothing collection, performed on stage with Australian band Spiderbait and launched a tequila brand with four other female surfers.
Gilmore said she was looking forward to having a steady routine.
“I’ve had incredible opportunities over the last few years, and it’s actually been busier than I could have imagined,” Gilmore said.
“It will be nice to get back on tour and have a schedule mapped out for the year.
“It’s been fun, but I’m looking forward to getting back into a bit more of a routine, so we’ll see where that leads me.”
Gilmore will make her competitive return at Bells Beach in April, with the Victorian break the first stop of a revamped tour.
AAP
