Semi-final good for title No.7

STEPHANIE Gilmore is in a position of power going into the final leg of the women’s world tour with the Australian only needing to make the semi-final of the Maui Pro to become a seven-time world surfing champion.

The numbers are in and Gilmore knows exactly what she has to do to match Australian legend Layne Beachley’s record of seven world crowns.

She and American Lakey Peterson are the only two surfers still in the race for the world crown with the pair duelling from the start of the year.

“I’ve loved the close battle this year. I think it’s really lifted me,” Gilmore said of her season-long stoush with the American, who is chasing a maiden world title.

The Maui Pro at Honolua Bay will determine the winner with the event window opening on Sunday.

The calculations have been done and Gilmore will win the world title if she finishes third or better at the world tour finale.

If she bows out in fifth place, Peterson would have to win to force the first women’s surf-off in history.

The format of this decider would be determined by event officials at the time.

American surfing is pinning its hopes on Peterson as it has no surfer in with a shot at winning the men’s crown, which will also be decided in Hawaii at the Pipe Masters, in December.

Peterson has won two events this season in the Roxy Pro Gold Coast and Corana Pro in Bali.

Gilmore has won three and is the defending Maui Pro champion.