How Gilmore Can Make History

Stephanie Gilmore can wrap her arms around history at the Roxy Pro France this week. On her campaign for a record-tying seventh World Title, a win in Hossegor would seal her fate.

The math is simple. If Gilmore wins the contest, she wins the 2018 World Title and there's nothing World No. 2 Lakey Peterson can do about it. Or if Steph makes the Semifinals and finishes ahead of Peterson by at least one heat, she wins.

On the flip side, if Peterson wins the contest the race continues on to the final event of the year, the Hawaii Women's Pro.

For the last few months, the pressure of the Title race has been an omnipresent fact in the lives of Gilmore and Peterson, but now, every heat, every wave counts. The situation is clearer than it's been all year. The ability to block out the noise, buckle down and focus is more critical than ever.

"This year I have total clarity on what really drives me to compete and perform and that maybe was missing for a few years," said Gilmore. "It's incredible to really feel like I'm exactly where I want to be when I'm at events and intimately putting my energy into chasing another World Title."

The various scenarios breakdown as follows:

• There are 2 current World Title contenders: Stephanie Gilmore and Lakey Peterson.
• Stephanie Gilmore is the only surfer that can clinch the 2018 World Title in France.
• If Stephanie Gilmore wins in France, she clinches the 2018 World Title.
• If Lakey Peterson wins in France, the title race will go to Maui.
• If Gilmore gets a 2nd and Peterson gets a 3rd, Gilmore wins the World Title.
• If Gilmore gets a 3rd and Peterson gets a 3rd or better, the title race goes to Maui for a potential surf off.
• If Gilmore gets a 3rd and Peterson gets a 5th, Stephanie wins the World Title.
• If Stephanie gets a 5th and Lakey gets a 5th, 9th or 13th, the title race goes to Maui for a potential surf off.

Watch the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro France live October 3-14 on Worldsurfleague.com, App and Facebook.