Gentle has runs on board for tri series
Steph set to hold lead despite shock Rio loss
@thomasboswell1 @EmmaGreenwood12 TWEED’S Stephanie Gilmore could still hold the tour leader’s yellow jersey into the next round of the World Surf League tour despite being knocked out in the quarterfinals of the Rio Pro.
Gilmore finished fifth in Rio after losing her quarter-final to fellow Aussie Nikki Van Dijk.
Despite beating Van Dijk in their non-elimination Round 3 encounter, Gilmore was unable to repeat the dose when the pair met again in the quarters yesterday, with the Victorian dominating their heat.
The result gives Gilmore a fifth-placed finish and 5200 points. With her main rivals Tyler Wright and Sally Fitzgibbons advancing to last night’s the semi-finals, Gilmore’s lead will be eroded but not necessarily erased.
Third-placed Wright cannot overtake Gilmore but can draw level with the six-time world champion if she defends her Rio title.
Fitzgibbons though can leapfrog her rival if she continues her love affair with Rio.
A three-time title winner in Brazil, Fitzgibbons will draw level with Gilmore if she finishes Ashleigh Gentle’s ITU results:
Mooloolaba ITU Triathlon World Cup, March 11 .....… 2nd
ITU World Triathlon Gold Coast, April 8 ................... 2nd
ITU World Triathlon Yokohama, May 13 ........... 6th second and can take the world title lead if she lifts the Oi Rio Pro trophy.
With Wright and Fitzgibbons on the same side of the draw though, only one will advance to the decider.
The race for the men’s title has opened slightly though after defending champion John John Florence’s defeat to Brazilian wildcard Yago Dora.
Gold Coasters Joel Parkinson and Mick Fanning remained in the hunt for the title.
JAMES Woods took out the Alley Classic, taking him a step closer to the Queensland title and a wildcard spot in the Quiksilver Pro trials at Snapper Rocks.
The Elanora resident won a four-man final against Mitch Parkinson, Tim Macdonald and Dan Ross at Currumbin.