Australia's Stephanie Gilmore has happen to the first female 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.The 22-year-old didn't have it all her own way against resolute 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 mutual score for her two best waves giving her victory by just .10 of a point.
The happy assassin must now be eyeing off the record of seven women's world titles achieved by surfing icon Layne Beachley.
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 with her.
