AUSTRALIA’S Stephanie Gilmore has squandered the chance to secure a seventh world surfing crown after a shock round three elimination from the Roxy Pro France.
American Courtney Conlogue, a good mate of Lakey Peterson, Gilmore’s major rival for the world crown, pulled off the upset on Thursday at Hossegor, forcing the world title race to the final event of the women’s world tour in Maui next month.
Gilmore jumped on a Hail Mary wave in the elimination third round of the event with just over two minutes on the clock and needing a 8.33 score.
She came up just short with a 8.27 ride sending Conlogue through to the quarter-finals and the world title race to the final event in Hawaii.
Despite the loss Gilmore is still favoured to win a record-equalling seventh world crown of surfing in Hawaii.
Gilmore won her first world title in 2007 as a rookie and then followed up with crowns in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2014.
If she wins the world title Gilmore will equal the record of Australian surf legend Layne Beachley who won six world titles between 1998 and 2003 and a her seventh in 2006.
The only woman able to beat Gilmore for the world crown this year is American Peterson.
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