
Superstar surfer Steph Gilmore has taken a big step towards this year's World Surf League finals, winning her opening heat at the Tahiti Pro.
Gilmore, currently fourth in the world rankings heading into the 10th stop on the WSL Tour at Teahupo'o, moves straight into the quarter-finals with her heat win over Costa Rica's Brisa Hennessy and fellow Australian Isabella Nichols as the event got underway on Tuesday.