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Stephanie Gilmore could beat my record: Layne Beachley
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(Gold Coast)
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LAYNE Beachley believes if anyone can challenge her record seven world surfing titles, it's newly-crowned two-time champion Stephanie Gilmore.
Preparing for her final event as a fulltime tour pro, Beachley, 36, singled out 20-year-old countrywoman Gilmore as the surfer most likely to dominate an era.
"Out of anyone she's going to be the closest,'' said Beachley.
"With her confidence and her tenacity and competitive spirit I think she'll be the one who'll challenge my seven world titles.''
Beachley will bow out a next week's season-ending event in Maui but Gilmore has already stamped her credentials as longtime successor by becoming the youngest ever back-to-back world champion.
"You know when she won her first world title she announced to the world that she's going to win 10,'' said Beachley. "I thought, `Woah settle down Tiger!'
"But now she's got a taste of what it takes to defend (the world title) and that knowledge, that experience is invaluable.''
Beachley has acted as a sounding board for Gilmore as she established herself on the tour.
"I'm just really proud of the fact that she considers me to be a mentor because I find her to be like a protege,'' said Beachley, who at 16 joined the pro Tour and fought through two episodes of chronic fatigue sydrome which threatened to end her career.
"I've enjoyed having Steph under my wing and I've enjoyed sharing my wisdom with her. I feel like she's the only one who's taken advantage of that. She's the smartest girl on tour.
"She's very passionate and she loves to win and obviously they're very important ingredients to becoming a world champion and maintaining that status.
While Beachley hasn't ruled out taking advantage of her automatic seeding and entry to some of next year's tour events, she said she's looking forward to retirement, content she's leaving the sport in capable hands.
"Yesterday's result actually strengthened my resolve to retire,'' said the world No.4 after hinting she'll compete at Bells Beach and her own event, the Beachley Classic next year.
"I feel really complete and satisfied and proud of where women's surfing is at right now.
"To see the talents coming through the younger ranks just gives me real confidence that it's in safe hands.
"I've always felt like the spokesperson or the figurehead and Stephanie's obviously very comfortable in that role and has quite an attachment to being world champion, so I feel good about my professional career winding down.
Beachley is on track to bow out by claiming the Hawaiian Triple Crown at Maui next week, heading into the last event with a 50-point lead over Gilmore.
Preparing for her final event as a fulltime tour pro, Beachley, 36, singled out 20-year-old countrywoman Gilmore as the surfer most likely to dominate an era.
"Out of anyone she's going to be the closest,'' said Beachley.
"With her confidence and her tenacity and competitive spirit I think she'll be the one who'll challenge my seven world titles.''
Beachley will bow out a next week's season-ending event in Maui but Gilmore has already stamped her credentials as longtime successor by becoming the youngest ever back-to-back world champion.
"You know when she won her first world title she announced to the world that she's going to win 10,'' said Beachley. "I thought, `Woah settle down Tiger!'
"But now she's got a taste of what it takes to defend (the world title) and that knowledge, that experience is invaluable.''
Beachley has acted as a sounding board for Gilmore as she established herself on the tour.
"I'm just really proud of the fact that she considers me to be a mentor because I find her to be like a protege,'' said Beachley, who at 16 joined the pro Tour and fought through two episodes of chronic fatigue sydrome which threatened to end her career.
"I've enjoyed having Steph under my wing and I've enjoyed sharing my wisdom with her. I feel like she's the only one who's taken advantage of that. She's the smartest girl on tour.
"She's very passionate and she loves to win and obviously they're very important ingredients to becoming a world champion and maintaining that status.
While Beachley hasn't ruled out taking advantage of her automatic seeding and entry to some of next year's tour events, she said she's looking forward to retirement, content she's leaving the sport in capable hands.
"Yesterday's result actually strengthened my resolve to retire,'' said the world No.4 after hinting she'll compete at Bells Beach and her own event, the Beachley Classic next year.
"I feel really complete and satisfied and proud of where women's surfing is at right now.
"To see the talents coming through the younger ranks just gives me real confidence that it's in safe hands.
"I've always felt like the spokesperson or the figurehead and Stephanie's obviously very comfortable in that role and has quite an attachment to being world champion, so I feel good about my professional career winding down.
Beachley is on track to bow out by claiming the Hawaiian Triple Crown at Maui next week, heading into the last event with a 50-point lead over Gilmore.