Gilmore getting a kick out of battle with American star

GOLD Coast’s Stephanie Gilmore says she is “getting a kick” out of her close race for the world surf title with American Lakey Peterson and is strangely relaxed as she battles to snare her seventh world crown at the Roxy Pro France.

Gilmore, 30, is trying not to think too much about the fact she can claim the title with an event in hand by winning the Roxy Pro.

But she admits it is getting harder by the day to ignore the fact history is looming

“I’m not thinking about it too much but it keeps popping up on the screen or in a cafe when a fan says something, so I am reminded about it every day,” she said from France.

“I’m just embracing it. It’s nice to know it could happen here. Maui is a safety net but it is nice to know I have a cool opportunity to win it here.”

If Gilmore wins in France she will equal Layne Beachley’s record of seven world titles with next month’s Maui Pro in Hawaii in hand.

Peterson is the only surfer who can beat Gilmore for the world crown.

If she wins the Roxy Pro, the battle will go to Hawaii.

But if Gilmore finishes runner-up to another rival in France and Peterson is third or below, Gilmore can still secure the world crown.

Both opened their campaigns in France with low scoring wins to advance directly into the third round.