Eight-time surfing world champion Stephanie Gilmore survives mid-season cut after clutch Margaret River heat

Reigning world champion Stephanie Gilmore has won a clutch round of 16 heat at the Margaret River Pro over Gabriela Bryan on Sunday morning to secure her place on the championship tour for the rest of the season.

Trailing for large parts of her heat against Hawaiian Bryan, the eight-time world champion summoned two scores when she needed them, including an excellent ride of 8.00 that could have been better if she had not bailed early to avoid the reef.

“That first wave, it was a nice one, “she said. “In my mind I was thinking I just need to get a decent score so I can get out the back and get back in the game and I know it’s all about committing and grinding your fins off on the rocks but I really like that board,” she added with a laugh.

“Think my first two carves were pretty good, my intentions were there and then I landed it and just jumped off. It worked out alright, but far out Gabriela is so strong and I was really nervous before that heat. It was make or break in this round.”

Gilmore came to Margaret River sitting ninth in the world rankings, needing a good result in WA to avoid the World Surf League mid-season cut that reduces the women’s field to just 10 competitors for the second half of the year.

She was in a similar position last season, just scraping past the cut before finding her best form and storming to a record eighth world title.

Against Bryan, Gilmore finished with a 14.83 two-wave score to just edge last season’s runner up at Margaret River, who landed a late 6.87 wave to just fall short with a 14.40 total.

“I thought she got on that last one,” Gilmore said. “I haven’t seen in from the front … but it went my way so I’m stoked.”

Gilmore said she was relieved to make the cut and hoped it was free her up to make another run at the world championship.

“I love all the events after the cut,” she said. “You can never count yourself out and it definitely frees yourself up to enjoy surfing.”

Earlier, two-time world champion Australian Tyler Wright cruised past Frenchwoman Johanne Defay with an impressive 16.16 two-wave score.

Gilmore and Wright will face each other in the quarterfinals.

Fellow Australian Sally Fitzgibbons also made a winning start on Sunday, beating American rookie Caitlin Simmers to advance.

Fitzgibbons next faces American Caroline Marks who easily accounted for Brisa Hennessy in the mornings other round of 16 match-up.

“For me definitely a lot of work to do here but trying to settle into that and the pressure and just trying to rise to the occasion,” Fitzgibbons said.

On the other side of the draw, Australian world No.1 Moly Picklum and local wildcard Bronte Macaulay will go head-to-heat in a quarterfinal after winning through on Saturday. Hawaiian former world champion Carissa Moore and American Lakey Peterson, who is fighting to make the cut are also still alive in the competition.