Stephanie Gilmore’s much-anticipated return to competitive surfing at Bells Beach has not unfolded as hoped, with the Australian champion falling in the opening round of the 2026 Rip Curl Pro. After a two-year hiatus from the event, during which she stepped away from the pro tour in 2024 to explore other pursuits, Gilmore re-entered as a wildcard but was swiftly eliminated by Brazil’s Luana Silva.
In a performance marked by impressive skill, Silva led the heat from start to finish, scoring 6.33 on her best wave for a total of 11.83. Meanwhile, Gilmore struggled to find her rhythm and ended the heat with a total score of just 6.10. Fellow competitor Erin Brooks noted that Gilmore appeared less engaged during her ride, commenting, “She needs a little bit more spiciness.”
The competition saw not just Gilmore’s challenges, but also showcased Silva’s rising talent. Having claimed second place at Bells Beach the previous year, the Brazilian is making a name for herself, especially after securing Gilmore’s spot on the tour in 2025. Following her victory, Silva expressed immense respect for Gilmore, referring to her as the “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time) and admitting to feelings of excitement and nervousness before the matchup.
Despite the less-than-stellar conditions, the atmosphere remained electric at Bells, especially given Gilmore’s presence. Silva vividly recalled the thrill of competing against her idol and shared her strategy of focusing on the task, pushing aside her “fangirling” moment to concentrate on her performance.
On the same day, Australia’s Sally Fitzgibbons secured her place in the second round of the contest, while fellow local Ellie Harrison was ousted by Lakey Peterson. In the men’s competition, only two heats progressed due to challenging conditions, resulting in early eliminations for Australia’s Joel Vaughan and Ethan Ewing.
Overall, the first round of the Rip Curl Pro highlighted both the competitive spirit within the surfing community and the undeniable challenges faced by even the most seasoned surfers like Gilmore.