India Robinson has taken down 8x World Champion Stephanie Gilmore on her way to winning the Gold Coast Pro at Snapper Rocks putting her on top of the 2023 Challenger Series rankings.
The 22-year-old, who failed to make the Mid season-Cut and fell off the Championship Tour, must finish in the top five women at the end of the series to regain a spot on the 2024. Now she’s well on her way.
“It feels so surreal right now it has been an amazing week here and I can’t believe I’m standing here now as a winner,” Robinson told the WSL.
“I got a second-place finish at a Challenger Series a few years ago so I knew I could get here but to actually have the win now feels amazing. After I fell off the tour last year, I gave up my spot on the Challenger Series to focus on my health. I spent a lot of time here surfing at Snapper during my recovery and today I guess it all paid off. I’m so grateful for my support crew, I wouldn’t be here today without them all.”
Robinson matched up with Sawyer Lindblad (USA) in the final and got going early, posting a two-wave score of 14.17 (out of a possible 20). While Lindblad could only manage a 10.17 heat total.
Earlier, Robinson upset Gilmore in their semifinal, catching the two best waves of the heat.
CT veteran Sally Fitzgibbons also finished strong in the first event of the Challenger Series and now sits third on the rankings.
Surfers head to Narrabeen next for the Sydney Surf Pro.
2023 Boost Mobile Gold Coast Pro pres. by GWM Women’s Final Results:
1. India Robinson (AUS) 14.17
2. Sawyer Lindblad (USA) 10.17
2023 Boost Mobile Gold Coast Pro pres. by GWM Men’s Final Results:
1. Samuel Pupo (BRA) 15.10
2. Imaikalani deVault (HAW) 7.33
2023 Boost Mobile Gold Coast Pro pres. by GWM Women’s Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: India Robinson (AUS) 13.17 DEF. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 10.77
HEAT 2: Sawyer Lindblad (USA) 13.90 DEF. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 13.17
2023 Boost Mobile Gold Coast Pro pres. by GWM Men’s Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Imaikalani deVault (HAW) 13.34 DEF. Jett Schilling (USA) 12.16
HEAT 2: Samuel Pupo (BRA) 14.57 DEF. Crosby Colapinto (USA) 13.34
2023 Boost Mobile Gold Coast Pro pres. by GWM Men’s Quarterfinal Results:
HEAT 1: Imaikalani deVault (HAW) 12.50 DEF. Jacob Willcox (AUS) 9.97
HEAT 2: Jett Schilling (USA) 14.83 DEF. Jadson Andre (BRA) 12.66
HEAT 3: Samuel Pupo (BRA) 14.86 DEF. Jorgann Couzinet (FRA) 7.70
HEAT 4: Crosby Colapinto (USA) 13.40 DEF. Michael Rodrigues (BRA) 12.76
2023 Challenger Series Schedule:
- Boost Mobile Gold Coast Pro Presented by GWM (Queensland, Australia): May 6 – 13
- GWM Sydney Surf Pro Presented by Bonsoy (New South Wales, Australia): May 17 – 24
- Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa): July 2 – 9
- US Open of Surfing presented by Pacifico (Huntington Beach, USA): July 29 – August 6
- EDP Vissla Pro Ericeira Presented by Estrella Galicia (Ericeira, Portugal): October 1 – 8
- Corona Saquarema Pro (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil): October 14 – 21
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