Surfing champion Stephanie Gilmore bashed

Four-time world surfing champion Stephanie Gilmore has had her wrist broken by a man
who bashed her with a pole at her NSW north coast apartment.
Gilmore, 22, was attacked by a man wielding a metal pole as she was walking to a set
of stairs leading to her unit in Tweed Heads at 9.30pm (AEDT) on Monday.
The man struck her twice with the pole before escaping on a pushbike.
Gilmore sustained a fractured wrist, a cut to the back of her head and cuts to her
hand.
She was taken to Tweed Heads Hospital for treatment and later discharged.
Although police would not confirm Gilmore's identity, a spokeswoman for her sponsor
Rip Curl said the surfer was involved in the bashing.
"She's not talking to people today," Marine Cole told AAP on Tuesday, adding that
Gilmore was resting at home.
Police allege that some time after the bashing the alleged attacker returned to the
block of units, where he was seen by friends and neighbours of Gilmore.
Neighbours who spoke to AAP said they had often seen the surfing champion around but
had not heard anything on Monday night.
A 26-year-old man was arrested and taken to Tweed Heads police station, where he was
charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
He was refused bail after appearing in Tweed Heads Local Court on Tuesday and is to
reappear on January 10.
Less than a fortnight ago Gilmore won an historic third straight triple surfing
crown in Hawaii.
The 22-year-old became the first surfer, male or female, to win four world titles
from as many attempts.
Gilmore has said eclipsing Layne Beachley's seven world gongs, six consecutively,
was part of her grand plan.
The 2011 Women's Surfing World Tour starts on February 26 with the first event
taking place on the Gold Coast.



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