Steph loses but still top

AUSTRALIAN world No.1 Stephanie Gilmore has extended her lead in the world title race despite her loss in the final of the US Open of Surfing yesterday.

The six-time world champion was beaten by US hope Courtney Conlogue, with the Californian prevailing 13.83 to 11.86 in the final of the World Surf League event.

The finalists embraced in the water at Huntington Beach as the American world No.15 revelled in the comeback win after a foot injury. The consistent Gilmore skipped out to 53,375 points to take a commanding 5200-point lead over main title rival Lakey Peterson. ALL YOUR LATEST SURFING NEWS WITH SURF SCENE: TOMORROW’S BULLETIN