Californian Courtney Conlogue has won the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach after defeating Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) in four-to-six foot conditions at the world-renowned Bells Beach in the Australian state of Victoria.
Californian Courtney Conlogue is a serious competitor. No one has ever thought differently, but she was on a different level at Bells. This win is a repeat victory, but it didn’t come easy. “I’m so happy to get another bell,” she said. “It’s just surreal right now.”
Along the way, she had to take out three world champions: Tyler Wright, Carissa Moore, and Stephanie Gilmore. One of those wins stands out. In the semis, she found herself in a dire situation against Tyler Wright. Early on in the heat, Wright took a commanding lead, and to anyone watching, the winner seemed preordained. Courtney, though, never gave up and ended up with an exciting come-from-behind finish.
“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.”
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 Courtney. “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.”
Her win puts her in fourth place in the rankings, and if she’s able to keep building the momentum she’s gained, Conlogue has a very real chance at hoisting a world title.
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach 2017 Results
1st – Courntey Conlogue
2nd – Stephanie Gilmore
3rd – Tyler Wright
4th – Lakey Peterson