- WSL / Kirstin Scholtz
- WSL / Kirstin Scholtz

UPDATED TUESDAY, APRIL 28: Deputy Commissioner Jessi Miley-Dyer has confirmed that reigning World Champion Stephanie Gilmore has withdrawn from the Oi Rio Women's Pro.

"[Gilmore] will be replaced by Keely Andrew from Australia," said Miley-Dyer. "Keely won the QS6000 in New Zealand this year, and takes Steph's spot as the first replacement due to her QS ranking from 2014."

Gilmore suffered an injury during a freesurf at Margaret River and was forced to withdraw from competition ahead of Round 3.

"The initial X-ray showed a hairline fracture in my fibula so I withdrew from the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro until I was able to see my doctors back on the Gold Coast," Gilmore said. "The MRI yesterday showed that it was a little worse than originally expected. It showed multiple hairline fractures through the fibula and tibia around the fibula head and tibia plateaux, with some minor bone bruising around the knee cap and associated tendinitis."

Gilmore Withdraws from Margaret River
Get the story behind the reigning World Champ's difficult decision.

The injury is a tough break for Gilmore who finished runner-up in the first two events and had won her Round 1 heat at the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro. Gilmore looked poised to continue her chase of Jeep Rankings Leader Carissa Moore (HAW), but her withdrawal gave a Round 4 pass to the would-be event winner Courtney Conlogue (USA). Conlogue's win moved Gilmore one spot further down in the rankings to No. 3.

Stay tuned for more updates as they become available and don't miss the Top 17 at the Oi Rio Women's Pro LIVE on the World Surf League homepage and WSL App beginning May 11.

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