Officials say they don’t regret holding the Roxy Pro in weak waves despite almost losing Steph Gilmore

OFFICIALS have no regrets over a call to send Roxy Pro stars out in weak waves at Snapper Rocks which almost cost the competition one of its headline acts.

WORLD Surf League officials say they have no regrets on holding yesterday’s Roxy Pro in small conditions despite coming perilously close to losing event drawcard Stephanie Gilmore in an elimination heat.

A fourth lay day has been called for the Quiksilver Pro today, and the Roxy Pro has also been put on hold as organisers wait for bigger swells expected to hit the Coast tomorrow.

Reigning world champion Gilmore escaped jail yesterday when a severe lack of waves caused her to scramble for scoring ride in the dying minutes to win her round two heat against wildcard Bronte Macaulay.

Despite what would have been a nervous wait, WSL women’s commissioner Jessi Miley-Dyer brushed off the nailbiting heat, saying she was “not surprised” that Gilmore was able sneak away with the win.

“Steph (Gilmore) knows Snapper like the back of her hand so for her to get a wave in the last minute is not really that surprising,” she said.

“I think we had a couple of really good heats and we picked the best time to run and I’m happy with how it went.”

SURF GROMS ON SIGNATURE MISSION

ROXY PRO ROUND TWO

Miley-Dyer also denied concerns of favouritism towards the men’s surfers, after the Quiksilver Pro was called off for the day.

She said the fact that only six heats were required in the women’s as opposed to the men’s 12 heats in the fading swell was a primary reason behind the decision.

Miley-Dyer also said officials spoke with the surfers prior to the call.

Steph Gilmore did her best in s,all waves, but was almost eliminated. Pic by Luke Marsden.

“We spoke to the men and they were really split as to whether they wanted to surf,” she said.

“Some guys don’t want to surf in those conditions and others were eager.

“When we spoke to the women early in the morning they were happy with the call.

“I think for sure we had better conditions than what we had in round one.”

Speaking after her heat, Gilmore said did not have an issue with the event being called on despite waiting for more than 10 minutes for a scoring wave.

“It’s the beauty and beast of professional surfing unfortunately,” Gilmore said.

“Our playground changes all the time and you need to be able to adapt.

“The world champion should be able to adapt and win in all types of condition whether that be 2ft (0.6m) or 10ft (3m).”

Steph Gilmore is mobbed by fans after getting through round 2 of the Roxy Pro. Pic by Luke Marsden.

With just one minute remaining, Gilmore needed a three point ride or better to overtake event wildcard Bronte Macaulay.

But the six time world champion kept her composure and was able to find a wave in the dying seconds of the heat, notching a 7.1 to finish with a total of 15.27 to Macaulay’s 12.00.

As she sat and waited for the waves to come, the Tweed Coast surfer admitted she was a little nervous at the thought of exiting the contest so early.

“I was just praying to the wave gods that a good wave would come,” she said.

“I have a pretty good relationship with Snapper (Rocks) so I just had some faith that she would come through for me.”

Steph Gilmore on way to victory in round 2 of the Roxy Pro. Pic by Luke Marsden.

Gilmore will face Noosa’s Dimity Stoyle and Brazil’s Silvana Lima in round three of the Roxy Pro.

Meanwhile Lennox Head surfer Tyler Wright progressed to round three after defeating Hawaii’s Alessa Quizon while Coffs Harbour’s Nikki Van Dijk took down Johanne Defay from France in an exciting heat.

With forecasters are expecting similar conditions today, Miley-Dyer said there is a good chance round two of the men’s competition or round three of the women’s will take place.

“This swell is meant to hang around a little bit so I won’t be surprised if there is still little (waves) coming in,” she said.

“I think (yesterday) was pretty fun so if it looks like that (today) then it is definitely something we will take a look at.”

Organisers will meet at 8am this morning to decide on whether to hold the event.

A 1-1.5 metre southerly swell is expected to arrive into Northern NSW by Friday but organisers are unsure if it will produce waves for Snapper Rocks.

Roxy Pro Gold Coast Round 2 Results (1st to R3, 2nd = 13th):

Heat 1: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 14.07 def. Sage Erickson (USA) 12.27

Heat 2: Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 15.47 def. Johanne Defay (FRA) 14.77

Heat 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 12.00 def. Bronte Macaulay (AUS) 11.40

Heat 4: Tyler Wright (AUS) 14.70 def. Alessa Quizon (HAW) 11.24

Heat 5: Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) 15.93 def. Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 11.07

Heat 6: Coco Ho (HAW) 16.16 def. Laura Enever (AUS) 13.27