Whatshot
Steph Wins AT J-Bay
Steph Wins AT J-Bay
Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) won the Corona Open J-Bay, Stop No. 6 on World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), in pumping four-to-seven foot conditions at the world-renowned Supertubes in Jeffreys Bay.
In a marathon day of competition, Gilmore started her path to victory by eliminating Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) in Round 3, Bronte Macaulay (AUS) in the Quarterfinals, Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) in the Semifinals and Lakey Peterson (USA) in the Final to take the win at the first women's CT event hosted on the African continent in almost 20 years.
The Corona Open J-Bay win marks Gilmore's record-extending 29th CT victory and her third in the 2018 season (Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, Oi Rio Pro). In her first visit to compete in South Africa, the six-time WSL Champion made herself at home at Jeffreys Bay with stunning performances.
"I just do not know why I never came here until now," said Gilmore. "I always felt I'd have some special connection with J-Bay. It is just so much fun and it is just a magical place. The waves are just so powerful and perfect. The sunrises, sunsets, dolphins - it is just never-ending. Thanks to everyone.
Although she fell short in the Final, Lakey Peterson dropped some massive scores and was consistent throughout the event. During the second heat of the morning, Peterson earned a 9.00 (out of a possible 10) to kick-start her campaign. She then went on to eliminate wildcard and local favourite Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) in the Semifinals. Peterson now sits at World No. 2 heading into the Vans US Open of Surfing presented by Swatch.

