- and can you blame them, what's not to love?
Now that Quiksilver's gone public with the bombshell that they've scooped up a second blonde, boundary-breaking, four-time world champ, Steph and Lisa can get on with the business of being effortlessly cool and influential in the same camp.
The reigning world champ has dissolved her decade-long deal with Rip Curl in favor of a five-year brand ambassador and teamrider role with Quiksilver -- not Roxy -- Quiksilver.
Quik has been trying to grow-up Roxy overseas for some time now and added a women's tab to their US website in recent years. Aiming for a more fashion-forward audience, the brand is taking a musicalartisticphilanthropic direction to target 18-24 year olds with a "coastal mindset and an independent spirit."
Makes sense then, that Gilmore -- with her guitar-playing prowess and global-gypsy jive -- fits right in. The fact that Steph's actually really into fashion is bonus.
"I have had exceptional support throughout my career and I am excited to have this
bright opportunity with the respected team at Quiksilver," says Gilmore in the official press announcement. "I am looking forward to pushing myself to new levels and feel this is a move which will help me stay inspired while competing at the highest level as a professional surfer on the ASP Women's World Tour. It's thrilling to be a part of an innovative and globally respected brand like Quiksilver. Its rich history and creative direction are well aligned with my personal ambitions."
Gilmore first aligned with Rip Curl at 12-years-old. She signed a seven-figure, five-year deal in 2005 to rep Rip Curl exclusively - sporting their surfwear, wetsuits, footwear, accessories and in 2006, eyewear as well.
Rip Curl recently announced that they resigned Tyler Wright -- Australia's next big thing in women's surfing -- to a five-year contract. Alana Blanchard, who has requalified for the 2011 World Tour, and Bethany Hamilton, whose Hollywood biopic Soul Surfer drops in March, round out Rip Curl's women's pro team.
In other Top 17 sponsorship news, Coco Ho has signed with Gatorade, Laura Enever is now head-to-toe Nike 6.0 (no more Roxy) and Jessi-Miley Dyer and Jacqueline Silva (who no longer ride for Rip Curl) and Rebecca Woods (who no longer surfs for Billabong) have joined Chelsea Hedges and Melanie Bartels as free agents. Translation: 29% of the athletes on the ASP Women's World Tour don't have a major sponsor.
