Above: Lakey Peterson (USA) put on an incredible show today and posted the highest heat total of the event thus far, a near-perfect 19.57, against three-time WSL Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) in the Quaterfinals of the Swatch Pro at Trestles. Credit: © WSL / Rowland

Location: Lower Trestles, San Clemente, California
Event window: September 6 – 17, 2017
Today’s call: MR 3 (H9), WR 4, MR 4 (H3-4), MR5, WQFs, MQFs (H1-2) complete
Conditions: 3 – 5 foot (1 – 1.5 metre)

The Swatch Pro at Trestles saw a new level of progression with phenomenal performances from the world elite. With over ten 9-point rides posted today at Stops No. 7 of the Women’s World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), the stage is set for an exciting Finals-Day-showdown at Lower Trestles.

Silvana Lima (BRA) shook up the competition with her win over six-time WSL Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) in the Quarterfinals. The Brazilian opened up with an excellent 8.93 (out of a possible 10), but the Australian fought back to earn her own excellent 8.67 before the ocean went quiet until the dying minutes of the heat, when the two traded a vital exchange. Gilmore posted a 7.50 to gain ground back, however, Lima shut the door on the 2014 event winner with another 8.93. Silvana’s win marks her first Semifinal berth of 2017. Gilmore will exit with an equal 5th.

Below: Silvana Lima

“I’ve had a lot of heats with Steph Gilmore and she’s so inspiring, just thanking the Lord for this moment and coming here. There’s so many fun waves out there. I look to do my best and Lowers. This wave suits me so good. It’s like a skatepark and I feel so much confidence. That was my moment and I’m just so thankful. I’ll just keep going and doing my best, hopefully just do the same thing and my goal is the Final. There’s still one more heat, so I’ll give it my all.”
Silvana Lima

Earlier, Gilmore opened Round 4 with an incredible performance over defending event winnerTyler Wright (AUS). Gilmore unleashed two near-perfect 9-point rides for an amazing 18.90 (out of a possible 20) heat total, putting reigning WSL Champion Wright in a combination situation. Wright, needing two new scores, was not able to fight back and will exit with her worst result of 2017.
In another huge upset, current World No. 12 Keely Andrew (AUS) defeated World No. 6 Sage Erickson (USA) in the final Quarterfinal match-up. The head-to-head battle saw Andrew earn the highest heat total of her CT career with a near-perfect 9.07 and 9.40. Erickson was not able to overcome the second highest heat total of the day and will exit with her third 5th place result of the season.
En route to her Semifinal berth, current World No. 10 Lakey Peterson (USA) took down No. 5 Johanne Defay (FRA) in Round 4. Defay will head into the Cascais Women’s Pro with her second 9th place result. Peterson continued her incredible form into the Quarterfinals against three-time WSL Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) by opening her account with an 8.50. In a massive exchange minutes later, Peterson blasted a 9.70 on technical turns, as Moore followed and finished off with a huge layback-hack to end her wave for a near-perfect 9.77 of her own. But, Peterson then found another near-perfect 9.87 to post the highest heat total of both the Hurley Pro and Swatch Pro — an outstanding 19.57 over Moore’s 18.00.

Below: Lakey Peterson

“Carissa Moore is so progressive with airs and her rail game is incredible, so I knew I just had to bring my best, I was kind of thinking back to Snapper a little bit and just what I was doing there. My rail game felt really good on that wave and it was getting rewarded, so I was just trying to bring it back to that. This morning I felt a bit nervous coming off a few bad results and I was just wanting to get through that round. I think after getting through that one there was no pressure and I’m just really enjoying myself.”
Lakey Peterson

World Title contender Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) was eliminated today by Courtney Conlogue (AUS) in the third Quarterfinal heat. Unable to match her career-best result at Trestles (2nd in 2014), Fitzgibbons will now hunt for a better result at the Cascais Women’s Pro to strengthen her 2017 World Title campaign. Conlogue will advance to the Semifinals where she will face Andrew. Right: Courtney Conlogue

Surfline, official forecaster for the Swatch Pro at Trestles, are calling for:
The S swell that was rebuilding today will fill in a bit further on Thursday and hold through the day. Friday will see fading and smaller, but still fun size, surf. The weekend will bring smaller leftovers as the swell continues to fade.
The Hurley Pro and Swatch Pro at Trestles will be broadcast LIVE via WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL app and on Facebook LIVE via the WSL’s Facebook page. Also check local listings for coverage on CBS Sports Network in the U.S., Fox Sports in Australia, ESPN in Brazil, Sky NZ in New Zealand, SFR Sports in France and Portugal, Sport TV in Portugal and the EDGEsport Network. For more information, click here.

Swatch Pro Round 4 Results:
Heat 1: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 18.90 def. Tyler Wright (AUS) 8.83
Heat 2: Lakey Peterson (USA) 14.17 def. Johanne Defay (FRA) 11.84
Heat 3: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 16.63 def. Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 14.13
Heat 4: Keely Andrew (AUS) 14.40 def. Pauline Ado (FRA) 14.03

Swatch Pro Quarterfinal Results:
QF 1: Silvana Lima (BRA) 17.36 def. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.30
QF 2: Lakey Peterson (USA) 19.57 def. Carissa Moore (HAW) 18.00
QF 3: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 14.06 def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 13.43
QF 4: Keely Andrew (AUS) 18.47 def. Sage Erickson (USA) 10.83

Swatch Pro Semifinal Match-Ups:
SF 1: Silvana Lima (BRA) vs. Lakey Peterson (USA)
SF 2: Courtney Conlogue (USA) vs. Keely Andrew (AUS)

All photos courtesy World Surf League