Ripping. That's how Australia's Stephanie Gilmore, 20, won the Roxy Pro and the 2008 Association of Surfing Professionals world championship yesterday at Sunset Beach.

This is Gilmore's second consecutive ASP world title. She won her first championship in 2007 as a rookie on the world tour.

“;The first (ASP world championship), there were so many expectations for me to win it in my first year on tour,”; Gilmore said. “;To come here, this year was a totally different place to be, it was a completely new challenge. To come out on top it was kind of proof that the first one wasn't a fluke.”;

In 4- to 6-foot wave faces, Gilmore beat Brazilian Silvana Lima, 24, and fellow Australians Jesse Miley-Dyer, 22, and Nicola Atherton, 22. But, it wasn't an easy victory for Gilmore at the penultimate contest of the women's tour.

Lima, who placed second yesterday, was also in contention for the world championship. She was leading for most of the 35-minute final and surfed strong the whole contest.

In the last 5 minutes of the final, Gilmore was in second place and needed a high-scoring ride.

“;I knew I had to win the final to claim the title here at Sunset and when Silvana got off to such a solid start, I thought I would have to get a result in Maui,”; Gilmore said. “;I had a pretty solid score, but still needed a 6-something and there weren't many waves at all. Then I saw this little lump out the back and I knew it would be good when I was stroking into it.”;

The overhead wave rolled into Sunset Point straight toward Gilmore. It was clearly the biggest wave of the heat and Gilmore went to work - ripping.

“;Silvana was too deep and it was definitely the wave of the whole heat,”; Gilmore said. “;It lined up really nicely and hit the reef in the right direction. I had to race the closing section a little bit, but the face opened up and I was able to get a good first turn, which is really important out there.”;

Gilmore followed up that big, first maneuver with three cutbacks. The judges awarded her an 8.51 out of a possible 10. By the time Gilmore reached the beach, her sponsor, Rip Curl, was handing out trucker hats that read, “;Happy Gilmore X2 Steph Gilmore 07-08 ASP World Champion.”;

According to Gilmore, this title is sweeter than the first.

“;The second one definitely feels better than the first one,”; Gilmore said. “;I'm going to savor this one for a while and then readjust my goals for next year. There should be big celebrations on for tonight.”;

Gilmore wasn't the only one celebrating at the second jewel of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. Fellow Aussie Lauren Enever, 17, was awarded the Noseguard Vans Triple Crown rookie of the year yesterday. Enever placed third at the Reef Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa last month and was shocked about her award.

“;This was a bit of a surprise,”; Enever said. “;It's the most prestigious bunch of surfing events. I'm stoked to be able to come over here, win this award and be a part of it. It's my dream to one day win the Triple Crown.”;

With the women's world title race finished, the overall Vans Triple Crown title is still up for grabs when competition resumes at the Billabong Pro Maui at Honolua Bay.