THE Boost Mobile Pro and Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, stop number one on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), narrowed the field down to the semi-finalists and quarter-finalists after another exciting day of action at Duranbah, the event's backup site.
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Clean three-to-four foot (1-1.3 metre) waves set the stage for big eliminations and upsets in men's round four and the women's quarter-finals.
The sole Aussie progressing in the Boost Mobile Pro Gold Coast Quarterfinals is perennial title threat Sally Fitzgibbons, from Gerroa, who overcame alternate Sage Erickson (United States) with a measured performance (14.27 to 12.50) at Duranbah.
Although Fitzgibbons controlled the heat in its majority, Erickson snagged a perfect set wave in the dying seconds and posted her highest score of the matchup, but the score, unfortunately, fell short of the requirement.
Fitzgibbons will move in the semi-finals and one step closer to claiming her first event win on the Gold Coast.
"Sage (Erickson) had the opportunity to put it all on the line and get the score, which makes the heat win pretty special," Fitzgibbons said.
"I know it seems really stressful but that's the fun part and why I love it.
"I really love coming down here and being apart of the energy on the beach.
"I've been working hard over the summer so it's just humbling to jump back on the board and get the jersey back on and do what you've been visualising.
"All the waves on the Gold Coast are so dreamy, I'll be ready to suit up and jump out wherever they say."
Unfortunately, the two other South Coast surfers left in the competition, Culburra Beach's Owen and Mikey Wright, were eliminated in round four of the men's event.
Kolohe Andino (US) showcased his prowess in hunting down scores over former event winner Owen Wright (12.03 to 11.23), while South Africa's Jordy Smith knocked out Mikey Wright (13.57 to 11.07) in their bout.
