News flash: Australia's Stephanie Gilmore defeats Hawaii's Melanie Bartels in the final of the season-opening Roxy Pro, in two- to three-foot surf at Snapper Rocks in Queensland, Australia.
Reaction: That barely qualifies as news. Gilmore, 22, dominates the ASP Women's World Tour in almost the same convincing manner seven-time world champion Layne Beachley once dominated the women's tour, and nine-time world champion Kelly Slater once dominated the men's tour.
Gilmore, a powerful, fluid natural-footer who was crowned champion after each of her three years on the elite circuit, could win six consecutive world titles to match Beachley's record (1998-2003), and could very well win five straight to match Slater's record on the men's tour (1994-98).
She'll have considerably more trouble getting seven or even nine overall titles in her career, however, because there are a handful of promising juniors who already are as good or better than some competitors on the present World Tour roster.But Gilmore has a shot.
-- Pete Thomas
Photo: Stephanie Gilmore (left), showers Roxy Pro runner-up Melanie Bartels on stage after their final.
Credit: © ASP / SCHOLTZ
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