Gilmore in fight for top spot

SURFING champion Stephanie Gilmore says it would be “pretty cool” to regain the world No. 1 ranking at the Corona Open J-bay in South Africa but says she won’t be stressing if it doesn’t happen just yet – partly due to a new purple wetsuit.

While Australia’s top contender for the men’s world crown, Julian Wilson, has been knocked out of the world tour event, Gilmore is involved in a close battle with newly minted No. 1 Sally Fitzgibbons and threetime world champion Carissa Moore for the top mantle in women’s surfing.

All three have made it into the quarterfinals of the world tour event with Fitzgibbons wearing the yellow leaders rashie after winning the last event in Brazil last month.

“It would be pretty cool to get it (No. 1 ranking). We can ham it up for the press I guess, but on the flip side it’s all OK with me.

“Right now I have this really cool new purple wetsuit and I’m really enjoy wearing the pink (rashie) with it,’’ Gilmore said.

Fitzgibbons has booked herself a quarters spot against Hawaiian Malia Manuel when competition resumes while world No. 2 Carissa Moore will take on Frenchwoman Johanne Defay.

Gilmore will have her hands full against precociously talented teenager Caroline Marks after a nervous heat against old rival Silvana Lima.

“I never felt like I was comfortable at any one point so I was quite anxious. But I’m really happy I made it,” Gilmore said.

“Nerves are a big thing. I enjoy them, they remind you that you are excited about where you are.”