Frames: Gilmore's Road to World Title Contention

Gilmore survived Rounds 2 and 3 to advance into the Quarterfinals there.

Gilmore, taking a moment in the ASP locker room in Oz.

Gilmore got fired up again during Round 3, breaking out her tube skills to top Courtney Conlogue and Paige Hareb.

Gilmore, triumphant.

The next event of the women's 2014 season was the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro, across Australia on the country' West Coast.

Gilmore put on a solid performance throughout and made her way to the Semifinals, but lost to Hawaiian Carissa Moore, who went on to win the event.

Gilmore placed equal third at the Rip Curl Women's Pro Bells Beach.

After showcasing floaters, power-carves and more, she fell in the Semis to fellow Aussie and Title contender, Tyler Wright.

Gilmore, tucking for some tube time at the Rio Women's Pro in April. The event would prove to yield her lowest result of the year, in 13th place. She was ousted by QS star Silvana Lima (BRA) by a fraction of a point.

At the next women's WCT event, the 2014 Vans U.S. Open of Surfing, conditions called for a different set of skills: Working punchy, beachbreak waves and pushing to the inside with the so-called "Huntington Hop." Gilmore rose to the occasion in Round 3.

She continued her small-wave attack at the Vans US Open, and advanced to the Semifinals.

Following her runner-up finish at Huntington, Gilmore was on fire at the next stop just down the coast, at the Swatch Women's Pro Trestles.

Gilmore brought her searing combination of power and grace to Lower Trestles at the inaugural women's WCT event there.

Gilmore took advantage of the high-performance waves to deploy progressive maneuvers, while tallying big scores.

Gilmore's hot streak continued throughout the contest, including her Quarterfinal heat against friend and travel roommate, Laura Enever (AUS).

Gilmore, triumphant once again, at Lower Trestles.

At the Tour's next stop, the Roxy Pro France, Gilmore got off to a strong start, winning her heats in Rounds 1 and 4 in Hossegor.

Despite her strong start in France, Gilmore fell to Moore in the Quarterfinals in a low-scoring faceoff.

The fifth-place finish in France, however, fueled up Gilmore's competitive fire again. She paddled out at the Cascais Women's Pro in Portugal the following week.

During a contest that saw a range of conditions at three different breaks, Gilmore appeared at ease in the playful waves.

In a tightly scored Final against fellow Aussie and competitive rival, Sally Fitzgibbons, Gilmore displayed calm under pressure.