Gilmore regains Tour lead

Reigning world champion Stephanie Gilmore has reclaimed the lead in the race for the 2008 title thanks to victory at the Rip Curl Mademoiselle in France.

The 20-year-old beat fellow Australian and seven-time world champion Layne Beachley in two-to-three-foot waves in the final at Les Bourdaines in Seignosse, scoring a combined 16.66 points for her two best waves to Beachley's 11.00.

"I was fortunate to get those few waves out at the beginning that allowed me to get a few manoeuvres in," Gilmore said. "It was really tough out there - really fast and racy and not easy to get scores. Unfortunately for Layne, she wasn't able to find a wave she could really open up on."

Gilmore, who thrashed Brazilian Jacqueline Silva in the quarter-finals and her compatriot Silvana Lima in the semis, has moved to 2760 points and a 228-point lead from Peruvian Sofia Mulanovich (2532), who was beaten by local Lee Ann Curren in the third round.

"I'm absolutely fired up," added Gilmore, who has won the past two events after opening the year with a ninth placing on the Gold Coast. "I had a bit of a wobbly start to the year, but I've had two really good events in a row and to be back on top is an amazing feeling."

"It's my second year on tour and I'm looking to defend my title. I'm excited to be where I'm at heading into the next few events."

Beachley's runner-up finish lifted her to 2280 points and third placing overall with five rounds remaining in the 2008 season, while two more Aussies - Samantha Cornish (2076) and Amee Donohoe (2064) - round out the top five.

"I'm really proud of Steph - she's been the form surfer all event and she deserved the win," Beachley said. "I'm just happy that I can still hang with the young girls and to finish in the final and move up to third is a great place to be heading into the back half of the season."

Gilmore scored 13.33 points in the semis to easily see off Lima (2.20), after Beachley had beaten 19-year-old Rip Curl Junior winner and wildcard entrant Curren 14.33 to 5.84 in the opening semi.

The ASP Women's World Tour continues with the Billabong Girls Pro Rio at Barra da Tijuca in Rio de Janeiro from September 10-18.

Rip Curl Pro Mademoiselle Final:
Stephanie Gilmore (Australia) 16.66 bt Layne Beachley (Australia) 11.00

Rip Curl Pro Mademoiselle Semi-finals:
Semi-final 1: Layne Beachley (Australia) 14.33 bt Lee Ann Curren (France) 5.84 Semi-final 2: Stephanie Gilmore (Australia) 13.33 bt Silvana Lima (Brazil) 2.20

Rip Curl Pro Mademoiselle Quarter-finals:
Quarter-final 1: Layne Beachley (Australia) 15.50 bt Amee Donohoe (Australia) 11.87
Quarter-final 2: Lee Ann Curren (France) 13.50 def. Jessi Miley-Dyer (Australia) 8.00
Quarter-final 3: Stephanie Gilmore (Australia) 18.40 def. Jacqueline Silva (Brazil) 5.33
Quarter-final 4: Silvana Lima (Brazil) 14.20 def. Samantha Cornish (Australia) 13.17