Lima claims maiden title

Silvana Lima wins the 2009 Rip Curl Women's Pro

Photo: ASP CI Scholtz via Getty Images

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Sunday, April 12, 2009 - 6:03 PM

Source: BigPond Sport

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Twenty-four-year-old Silvana Lima claimed her maiden ASP Women’s World Tour victory by defeating reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion and two-time defending event winner, Stephanie Gilmore, in the final of the Rip Curl Women's Pro.

Lima's win also made her the first Brazilian to win at the iconic venue.

"This feels amazing. This is the first World Tour event I’ve ever won and to win it at Bells Beach is like a dream," said Lima.

"To be the first winner from Brazil to ring the Bell, it’s amazing! I am so happy. I hope everyone in Brazil stays up and parties big."

The final was an action-packed affair with both athletes pushing the limits in a display of high-class surfing.

Lima announced her intention to take it to the event favourite from the outset, opening with a 9.17 before backing it up with an 8.17, to put Gilmore on the ropes within the opening minutes.

"Steph is so good out there in any conditions and I knew I needed to get scores on top of her quickly," said Lima of her desire to put pressure on Gilmore early.

Her win in the second event of the 2009 Tour rockets Lima into second on the ASP Women’s World Tour ratings and, importantly, hands Lima the self-belief that she is capable of climbing all the way to the top.

"The world title is always my goal, every year," said Lima.

"Last year was a really good year for me, but I couldn’t win an event. Now that I have a win, my confidence is very high and I look forward to the next event."

Lima's win was made all the more impressive as Gilmore has spent the morning sessions confirming her undoubted quality, by pulling off the highest single-wave score of the event (9.60) in her semi-final victory over Sally Fitzgibbons.

Gilmore's second consolidates her position atop the Tour standings heading into the mid-year break.

Aussie Fitzgibbons, the 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie, was the other stand-out on the final day of action for women.

Fitzgibbons ousted veteran Jacqueline Silva and former seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion Layne Beachley on a giant-killing run that ended only when she fronted Gilmore in the semi-finals.

Rip Curl Women's Pro Bells Beach Results:

Final:
Silvana Lima (BRA) 17.34 def. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 13.06

Semi-finals:
Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.60 def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 11.67
Silvana Lima (BRA) 15.00 def. Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 7.57

Quarter Finals:
Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 14.50 def. Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 12.00
Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 8.43 def. Paige Hareb (NZL) 7.50
Silvana Lima (BRA) 7.23 def. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 7.07
Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 12.83 def. Samantha Cornish (AUS) 7.50

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