Gilmore reaches Roxy quarter finals | Water Sports | Marine and Boating

29th November 2008

Australian world surfing champion Stephanie Gilmore has rebounded from a first round hammering at the hands of Hawaiian Melanie Bartels to reach the quarter-finals of the Roxy Pro at Sunset Beach.

Bartels, currently No.10 on the world tour, scored an incredible 18.40 out of a possible 20 in three-metre waves to crush Gilmore (5.83) and advance straight to the quarters.

But Gilmore backed up with in the second round with two solid scores to net a 12.84 and ensure her progression.

"I was really frustrated with my performance in round one so I went straight out there and tried to pick off a couple of scores as soon as I could in round two," Gilmore said.

"The waves are epic today. We surf fairly small stuff most of the season so it's awesome to come here to Hawaii and get to compete in solid waves."


Defending Roxy Pro champion, and current No.2 on the tour, Sofia Mulanovich of Peru put in a solid round one effort to advance directly to the quarter-finals.


With Gilmore and Mulanovich both progressing, the race for the 2008 world title will continue in the quarters.

"I'm not really thinking about the title right now," Gilmore said.


"Sofia and I are both through to the next round so I'm sure well just keep battling it out until one of us prevails.

"Should make for an entertaining end of the year."

Stop number seven of eight on the tour also marks the second event of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.

Organisers called competition off for the day following the completion of round two and will reconvene on Saturday.

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