'Focus on healing': Aussie surfing legend Steph Gilmore abandons plans to return to WCT Tour
Multiple-time world surfing champion Stephanie Gilmore will not return to the World Championship Tour this season as expected.
After spending a large chunk of her life on tour, Gilmore stepped aside from professional surfing last season and did some media work but was set to return at next week's Pipeline Pro in Hawaii.
But the 36-year-old confirmed her projected return is now off, with with the eight-time title winner to spend another year away from the sport.
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"After careful consideration, I've decided to take another season away from the WSL tour," Gilmore said on Wednesday morning.
Stephanie Gilmore will spend another year from professional surfing. Getty
"This time will allow me to focus on healing some lingering injuries and redirect my energy toward continuing my adventures of surfing around the globe.
"I'm deeply grateful for the unwavering support of my sponsors and I wish all the athletes on tour the best of luck this season."
Gilmore has been busy putting together a clothing line with her sponsor Rip Curl during her off year but had suggested recently that she had felt the itch to get back into competitive surfing.
Although she had been enjoying her first break from the circuit in 16 years, she said she still tuned into Tour events.
"I was like 'man, I wish I was there, what am I doing?'," she said recently on The Howie Games podcast.
"It was an interesting feeling, but I liked it, because I must still want to do it.
Luana Silva of Brazil. Getty
"If I still want to be there then there's something inside of me that enjoys that desire of competition and trying to push yourself. It was a good feeling. it also made me think, 'Huh, maybe I could win nine [world titles]'."
Luana Silva, who recently became the first Brazilian woman to win the WSL World Junior Title, will take Gilmore's place as the 2025 season wildcard.
"Silva experienced her best season yet in 2024, placing in two CT Quarterfinals prior to the Mid-season Cut, which she narrowly missed making, along with a third quarter-final finish during a wildcard opportunity at the VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona," the WSL announced.
"The 20-year-old also made her mark at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, where she advanced to the quarter-finals. Silva closed out the 2024 season by winning the WSL World Junior Championships in the Philippines, the first Brazilian woman to do so.
"Initially qualifying for the CT in 2021, Silva has previously competed in the 2022 and 2024 seasons."
