Already boasting the most titles by a woman on the World Surf League, Aussie Stephanie Gilmore adds a 33rd trophy with her first win of the year, in El Salvador.
Australian seven-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore has won the El Salvador Pro, registering her 33rd career title to build on her own record for the most women's wins in the history of the surfing world tour.American Griffin Colapinto won his second ever title after a win over world number on Filipe Toledo
The Australian defeated American Lakey Peterson in the final of the World Surf League event in Punta Roca, after eliminating Caroline Marks in the semis and compatriot Isabella Nichols in the round earlier. The wins 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.
"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."Peterson had compiled a two-wave total of 9.67 by that stage, but Gilmore pulled out the goods when she needed it most, following up a 7.33 ride with a 5.67 to snatch the lead with just minutes remaining.