INTERNATIONAL NEWS - Malia Manuel had Stephanie Gilmore was on the ropes Thursday. The Hawaiian, who's been surfing incredibly well of late, opened strong at Winkipop, bagging two strong rides before Steph had even got to her feet.
The weight of the match was immediately felt. After a quarterfinal loss on the Gold Coast, Gilmore simply couldn't afford a Round Four loss at the Rip Curl Pro if she wants her 7th world title in 2016.
Meanwhile, Manuel is trying to get her confidence where her surfing is, and for the first 26 minutes it was working.
Then Stephanie Gilmore got busy, and when she has room to move at glassy point like Winkipop her blend of grace and power is something to behold. She got her firs scoring ride with 9 minutes remaining.
Then Stephanie Gilmore got busy, and when she has room to move at glassy point like Winkipop her blend of grace and power is something to behold. She got her firs scoring ride with 9 minutes remaining.
Her second came with just 5. But Steph's carves were next level, and matched with her speed and style the judges couldn't deny her.
Things won't get any easier for Gilmore. She'll face Carissa Moore in the quarterfinals in what will undeniably be one of the most anticipated matches of the year with the way the forecast looks.
Tyler Wright also needed everything she had to get through Round Four. Like Gilmore, she was behind for the vast majority of her heat with Nikki Van Dijk, the CT surfer from Victoria.
Tyler Wright also needed everything she had to get through Round Four. Like Gilmore, she was behind for the vast majority of her heat with Nikki Van Dijk, the CT surfer from Victoria.
Van Dijk was doing all the right moves, and surfing great. But Tyler lucked into a large set during their last exchange with 3 minutes to go, and Wright let loose with her textbook power. She needed a 7.5, and got an 7.6 that was well deserved.
