So, we’re already half way through January 2009….and we’re not flying around in space ships…yet…as predicted??!

But 2008 has passed and at around december 1st, I did happen to feel somewhat like an alien does when floating above the earth, (aka cloud 9) I filled with some stupendous emotion after winning an ASP world title for the second time in my short, 2-year career.

It all really kick started in Manly at the beachley classic. I’d just done well in France and had an awesome time in Brazil, and it all seemed waay too easy. I could be too careless and still win….until i got to Manly where at that present time, ASP womens world tour ratings leader was sent home, frustrated, confused, distressed and humiliated by up and coming, 14yr old Aussie superstar and eventual classic winner, Tyler Wright. It was at about that moment, i decided that defending a world title isnt exactly going to be a ‘piece a piss’ and i headed to Peru in my business suit, briefcase in hand and most importantly the “dont feed…i may attack” sign attached to my forehead. Of course, i really just meant strictly business and thats exactly how the rest unfolded. The hometown pressure got to the local hero Sofia Mulanovich, Layne Beachley crumbled when she saw my award winning smile and Silvana Lima didnt sweet talk the wave gods enough because they sent nothing her way. STEPH TIMES read-“The Grinch Prevails!” and I headed into Hawaii with a little bundle of nerves and smirks, a sense of what was on the way.

Sunset Beach is always a great event. After reading swell charts the North shore turns into its own version of gossip girl and the days before my heats not only do i chew my fingernails completely off but i run out of wax, because my boards are so freakin big. The first day we started in great 8ft waves and all the girls were charging. I lose and go to round two (totally part of my plan 😉 while the other contenders breeze through to round 3. Round two is surfed and i manage to get my act together and advance aswell. The boys are on the following days and charging some of the biggest sunset ever ridden, of course Parko, Jordy Smith and Dusty Payne were making it look like 3ft snapper rocks. By the time a quick and short lived drop in the swell came around it was our chance to finish up the Roxy Pro and send off the world title race to Maui…or so i thought. A new day, the waves were 4ft and sunset point was the centre stage for me and my brand new 6’5. The day was flying by and with only seven heats left, we were going to be finished before it became completely flat and as boring as stand up paddle contest…that was until Sofia surprised everyone with a quarter final loss! quickly followed by another soldier by the name of Layne Beachley aka “queen of sunset” going down too…right then, my caddy, Matt Griggs and I giggled, like a pair of school girls perving on Dane Reynolds in a nice pair of male euro cozzies because things just got a hell of alot better, anything from here on in was a bonus.

“Just get on the best wave that comes through” that was the wisest quote of the day, griggsy was in fine form. My head was free of numbers and situations as I paddled out the back, instinctively i pushed Silvana deeper and then as wave of the day came, she was too deep, allowing my tastebuds to tingle with the sweetness of victory. I score and 8, succumb to the surreality and end up in some kind of fairly land. Whilst waiting for the horn to authorize it and the trophy to make it more tangible, i hugged my mates and smiled like I’d just had the Rolling Stones perform exclusively at my birthday party. WickED!

Just another day at work really.

holidays now, the goldcoast is HOT and Im sweating like a paedophile at a wiggles concert.

Enjoy and cya round like a donut 🙂

Steph