The extremely talented Stephanie Gilmore tied Layne Beachley as the surfer with the most world titles in history by securing her seventh crown today after her main rival, the North American Lakey Peterson, was eliminated in round 2 of the Maui Pro at the hands of local wild card Alana Blanchard.

Lakey Peterson had to win the tournament and count on Gilmore not advancing to have a chance of things going her way, but the opposite happened: The Australian won her heat and made it to round 3, the Californian fell in her debut and then by 13,1 to 10,54 against Blanchard, the title of this year was decided.

“Alana broke her heat, I was more nervous for Lakey than myself, it was so intense. I can’t believe it, it’s so cool,” she began, going from laughter to tears in seconds. After thanking those who helped her and dedicating her victory to the late CEO of Quiksilver, Pierre Agnes. “Surfing is everything to me, it’s my first love and it gives me so much love, surfing is the best,” she added and concluded by addressing Layne Beachley, whom she tied in titles: “Layne, it’s an honor to be sitting next to you, you’ve been a very special influence on me.”

Meanwhile, the tournament continues to take place on epic waves with solid six feet, tubes and vertical walls.