FIVE-times world champion surfer Stephanie Gilmore breezed through her sudden-death heat today after a surprise loss in the opening round of the Margaret River Pro.
The Aussie faced 2004 world champion Sofia Mulanovich today in round two, which she was forced to surf after losing to Perth wildcard Felicity Palmateer in her first heat yesterday.
"I struggled yesterday but it was nice to get back into the groove out there today," Gilmore said of today’s win.
"It is a new event for the tour and new territory. It is always fantastic to be at Margaret River and I am excited with the forecast for later in the week."
Her highest scoring wave of 9.50 proved that the cobwebs had been blown away, and her total score of 18.87 is the highest of the event at this stage.
Joining Gilmore in the third round will be Alana Blanchard (HAW), Paige Hareb (NZL), Lakey Paterson (USA), Coco Ho (HAW) and Buitendag (ZAF) who all progressed from their elimination heats this morning, as well as Palmateer.
Ho and Buitendag will now face Stephanie Gilmore in round 3, where the reigning world champ will be looking for another win and the fast track straight into the quarter-finals.
The Pro has been called off for the remainder of today, with the next call due at about 7am tomorrow.
Local favourite Taj Burrow, currently number 8 in the ASP Men’s ranking, is yet to surf his first heat.
Burrow had yesterday said his biggest threat in the Pro was Men’s world champion Joel Parkinson.
However, with Parkinson eliminated after an interference call, Burrow is now mostly looking at Paterson, who shares his hometown of Yallingup.
“He’s been around for ages,” Burrow said of the former WCT surfer and 1998 Margaret River Pro winner.
“He’s a lethal competitor, he knows what he’s doing.”
For more results visit www.margaretriverpro.com.
