Stephanie Gilmore happy to add bite to surf rivalry with Lakey Peterson

AUSTRALIAN surfer Stephanie Gilmore is happy to spice up her rivalry with American Lakey Peterson, claiming women surfers can sometimes be a bit too “nice”.

Stephanie Gilmore is chasing a seventh world crown in 2018.

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AUSTRALIAN surfer Stephanie Gilmore is happy to spice up her rivalry with American Lakey Peterson, claiming women surfers can sometimes be a bit too “nice”.

Gilmore and Peterson are in a close race for the 2018 world crown of surfing with the pair swapping the No. 1 and No. 2 ranking throughout the year.

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Both on Sunday advanced into the quarter- finals of the latest world tour event, the US Open.

Gilmore, a six-time would champion, is not shying away from the intensity of the battle for the world crown with Peterson.

Lakey Peterson and Stephanie Gilmore at the J-Bay Open won by Gilmore.

“We’re trying to make statements to each other, or at least I am, because it’s important in a rivalry to do that,” said Gilmore after a heat win at the US Open.

“This is new territory for Lakey. She hasn’t been in a title race like this, and I think she’s probably trying to make sure she’s just keeping to herself and doing her thing.

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“I’m pretty comfortable in these situations. I feel like with women’s surfing, we’re all so nice, we could have a little more bite … so yeah, I’m trying to keep it fun and interesting.”

Stephanie Gilmore on her way to the quarter-finals.

After the US Pro, there are only three more world tour events on the women’s calendar.

The next is the first event at a wave pool, the Surf Ranch Pro, in September.

The final two are the Roxy Pro France in October and then the Hawaii Pro due to start late in November.

Gilmore says she is putting all her efforts into winning a seventh world crown - a feat which would match the record of the legendary Layne Beachley.

“Missing out by a heat last year, that doesn't sit well,’’ Gilmore said from the US.

Originally published as Stephanie Gilmore happy to add bite to surf rivalry with Lakey Peterson