Courtney Conlogue Claims Back-to-Back Wins at Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach

– Six-time WSL Champion Gilmore Retains Jeep Leader Jersey
– Conlogue Moves Up to World No. 4 After Classic Bells Beach Finale
– Defending Event Winner Wilkinson Eliminated in Round 3

Caption:  Courtney Conlogue (USA) with the coveted Bell, the winner’s trophy that will have her name added to it for the second year in a row after she took out the 2017 Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach today.
Credit: © WSL / Cestari

BELLS BEACH, Victoria/AUS (Monday, April 17, 2017) – Courtney Conlogue (USA) has won the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach today after defeating Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) in four-to-six foot (1 – 2 metre) conditions at the world-renowned Bells Beach in the Australian state of Victoria.

The third stop of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach, witnessed Conlogue ring the coveted Bell for the second time after her dominance throughout the final series today. The Californian unleashed her aggressive power-surfing to take down a stacked field of competitors, including six-time WSL Champion Gilmore, reigning WSL Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) and three-time WSL Champion Carissa Moore (HAW).

“Winning it last year felt so good, but to back it up is amazing,” said Conlogue. “I’m so speechless. The first two events of the Australian leg did not go that well for me, so I’m stoked to finish it off with a win. I have always loved coming to Bells. It’s an amazing arena with all of the fans down here. It’s a really tricky wave to master, so to have two wins here is really special.”

Caption:  Courtney Conlogue (USA) moves up the Jeep Rankings into the fourth spot with her win at Bells Beach today.
Credit: © WSL / Sloane

Conlogue came into the start of the 2017 season as World No. 2, but a 9th place finish at the Roxy Pro Gold Coast and 5th place result at the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro set her back to World No. 9. The Californian’s win today moves her up to fourth on the Jeep Leaderboard to now put her World Title campaign back on track.

“Coming up against Stephanie [Gilmore] in the Final was incredible,” continued Conlogue. “She is such an amazing surfer and tough competitor. Maintaining composure at the end was key. I had a lot of last-minute wins this contest and that’s why it’s true that you should never give up because it’s not over until it is over.”

The Final saw an exciting battle between Gilmore and Conlogue. Gilmore got the edge on the opening exchange with an excellent 8.33 (out of a possible 10) to Conlogue’s 8.00. The women continued to charge, again posting excellent-range scores with Gilmore leading Conlogue’s 15.27 combined score by only 1.06 points. In the last 5 minutes of the heat, Conlogue took off on the biggest set wave of the Final and displayed her trademark power hacks and jams in the pocket to post an excellent 9.00-point ride for the lead. With only seconds left, Gilmore attempted to scratch into a medium-sized set but was unable to make it, leaving Conlogue to win her second consecutive Bell with a heat total of 17.00.

“This was an incredible event,” said Gilmore. “We’ve had some awesome waves over these past few days and it was a special Easter weekend to have everyone down here. To surf in front of this crowd is a really special experience. I always try my best, but it is a tough field to beat so I am happy to come away with a second and still hold onto that lead. I will hopefully hold onto it for as long as I can.”

Coming into the Final, Gilmore was looking to add a fourth Bell to her trophy cabinet to equal the great Lisa Andersen (USA) for Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach titles. After a series of buzzer-beater heat wins throughout the Australian leg, Gilmore seemed to shift gears and stay more active in the Final, which gave her the upper-hand for its majority. Although Gilmore wasn’t able to get the win on her 11th time competing at this event, she heads to Brazil as the Jeep Frontrunner.

The first Semifinal saw Conlogue blast two near-perfect 9-point rides for the win over 2016 WSL Champion Wright. Wright, with a 7.17 and 7.83, was not able to overcome the Californian and will be eliminated in Equal 3rd place. Wright has made the final series at each of the events on the Australian leg, including a runner-up finish at Margaret River and 5th place on the Gold Coast. Today’s result will see Wright stay in 3rd on the Jeep Leaderboard.

“I am really happy with my performance on the Australian leg,” said Wright. “It has been really fascinating for me being able to use everything I’ve been working on this past year that I may not have had the opportunity to actually put into action. It has been really fun to move forward knowing I have more to give. I am really excited about it. Last year was definitely a first year, but this year I have a general idea of what needs to be done. It is quite fascinating to be seven years in and just doing this now.”

Eventual winner Conlogue previously dispatched three-time WSL Champion and three-time event winner Moore in the opening Quarterfinal matchup. A heated battle saw the two post excellent range scores. An intense paddle battle gave way for Conlogue to regain priority at the halfway mark. With ten minutes left and needing an 8.24, Moore waited for a set to come through while Conlogue kept busy on the inside. Moore missed her opportunity at the five minute mark to put even more pressure on her final attempt. Moore chased down a wave in the final minute, but it was not enough to meet the requirement. Moore will be eliminated with her third 5th place result of the season.

Courtney Conlogue (USA) // Credit: © WSL / Cestari

Rip Curl Women’s Pro Final Results:
1 – Courtney Conlogue (USA) 17.00
2 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.33

Rip Curl Women’s Pro Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 18.33 def. Tyler Wright (AUS) 15.00
SF 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 14.66 def. Lakey Peterson (USA) 9.73

Rip Curl Women’s Pro Quarterfinal Results:
QF 1: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 16.56 def. Carissa Moore (HAW) 15.33
QF 2: Tyler Wright (AUS) 15.26 def. Coco Ho (HAW) 11.60
QF 3: Lakey Peterson (USA) 15.86 def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 15.60
QF 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 18.60 def. Johanne Defay (FRA) 12.80

2017 WSL Women’s Jeep Leaderboard (After Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach):
1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 24,500 pts
2 – Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 21,700 pts
3 – Tyler Wright (AUS) 19,700
4 – Courtney Conlogue (USA) 18,500
5 – Lakey Peterson (USA) 16,250

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