Australian seven-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore has won the El Salvador Pro, enrolling her 33rd career title to expand on her own record for the most women’s successes in the history of the surfing world tour.
The Australian defeated American Lakey Peterson in the last of the World Surf League occasion in Punta Roca, subsequent to eliminating of Caroline Marks in the semis and comrade Isabella Nichols in the round prior.
American Griffin Colapinto took out the men’s title, beating world number one Filipe Toledo in the final.
The successes catapult both Gilmore and Colapinto to third place in their respective rankings as the tour heads to Brazil for the third-last stop of the season.
The top five men and women after the 10-event world tour will contend in a one-day finals competition in California in September.
“Muchas gracias El Salvador, this is amazing,” Gilmore said.
“Once I got past Caroline, I was super confident and I knew I could do it.
“Lakey is an amazing surfer, so I knew it was going to be a tough final but it doesn’t get any better. I love doing this, I love winning, I love doing this sport.
“I would love to win another world title, but it’s a long road. There’s a lot more competition to be surfed and a lot of hard work to do, but this is just an amazing experience and I’m so happy to be here.”
In the 40-minute women’s final, Gilmore had recently 1.03 to her name with 11 minutes remaining.
Peterson had ordered a two-wave total of 9.67 by that stage, however Gilmore took out the products when she wanted it most, following up a 7.33 ride with a 5.67 to snatch the lead with only minutes remaining.
Peterson couldn’t track down a winning ride starting there on, giving Gilmore her first tour victory of the year.
The men’s final likewise came down to the wire as Toledo, who opened with a staggering 9.57-point ride, held the lead and need with four minutes staying on the clock.
Colapinto required a 7.01 to take the lead, and he set off on a wave in the withering minutes after Toledo decided not to take it.
The American pulled off a tail-high opposite followed by a 360-degree reverse to get an eight-point ride and snatch triumph.
