Lakey Peterson unleashed the performance of the 2019 season so far with the highest two-wave total of the year, a near perfect 18.83 in Quarterfinal 4. Peterson’s incredible surfing eliminated seven-time WSL Champion and longtime rival Stephanie Gilmore.
With a long history of matchups and a world title race against each other in 2019, this was Petersons first heat win against Gilmore but she struck back with the dominant win. Peterson now advances to the Semifinals where she matches up with Carissa Moore (HAW).
“The win was really satisfying,” Peterson said. “Steph (Gilmore) and I had the Title race last year and every time we meet up in heats she beats me. Going into that heat just now I was like, ‘I’m done losing to her.’ Steph is such a phenomenal surfer and I feel like this year she is surfing better than ever, so even when I scored my first nine, I was still scared because she could always get an 8.5 or something. That one felt really good and was definitely good for my confidence, so I’m stoked. I love competing with Steph as she always brings the best out in me. I’m really happy to be doing well here at Margaret River.”
The Margaret River Pro is on hold for now with the next call to be made later today on whether the semi-finals will get underway
Massive day of action saw John John Florence, Caio Ibelli, Kolohe Andino and Julian Wilson left, while the women competed to leave Lakey Peterson, Tatiana Weston-Webb, Carissa Moore and Sally Fitzgibbons in the hunt for the Margaret River Pro Tittle.
