Australia's Stephanie Gilmore has become the first surfer to ever win four world titles from as many attempts, after winning her quarter final at the Rip Curl Pro Search event in Puerto Rico on Monday.
The 22-year-old didn't have it all her own way against determined Hawaiian Melanie Bartels, but did enough to clinch the title, before being chaired off Middles Beach by men's defending champion and Rip Curl stable-mate Mick Fanning.
Bartels put up an almighty fight, with Gilmore's 13.87 combined score for her two best waves giving her victory by just .10 of a point.
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The smiling assassin must now be eyeing off the record of seven women's world titles achieved by surfing icon Layne Beachley.
As she made it back off the sand clutching an Australian flag, Gilmore said she was overwhelmed by emotion.
"Oh my goodness, this is crazy," she gushed.
"It's unbelievable, Mel's such an amazing surfer and you throw a score her way and she'll just turn around and throw a better one straight back.
"I don't know how to feel ... this is crazy.
"Not even in my wildest dreams did I think I could win consecutively like this, oh my goodness it's just amazing. I can't believe it. I just feel so light right now."
Gilmore is now through to the semi finals at the Rip Curl Pro Search event, but can now relax knowing that her historic feat is already in the bag.
