Intro:

Australia's Stephanie Gilmore puts in the stand-out performance at the ASP Tour's (Swatch) Women's Pro Trestles in California, USA on Tuesday.

Script:

Stephanie Gilmore of Australia was the first to seal her place in the quarter-finals of the Swatch Women's Pro Trestles in California on Tuesday.

Gilmore won heat one ahead of Pauline Ado and Lakey Peterson with a score of 14.67, but despite taking an early lead she almost lost the heat.

SOUNDBITE (English) Stephanie Gilmore, World number 4

"I was just so excited to surf that heat. And I don't know. For some reason, the first wave I got a nine on and I thought it was going to be like a six (or a) five or a seven maybe. And when they threw a nine I just kind of... and it made it a little too relaxed so I just said sweet I will just catch lots and lots of waves and mess around and then in the last minute I went to third and I kind of had to snap out of it."

World number one Carissa Moore was defeated by Coco Ho of Hawaii.

Afterwards though, Ho admitted that Moore would still be the one to watch.

SOUNDBITE (English) Coco Ho, World number 10

"I am just stoked to get through that one with (world number one) Carissa (moore). She is hands down going to be the hardest to beat out here. She has the power the progressive - everything you need for lowers but I am glad I just got to open up and surf my way and I was able to get the better of both the exchanges."

Moore will face Peterson in round 4 for the chance to compete in the quarter-finals.

Elsewhere, Australia's Sally Fitzgibbons overcame a tight heat to progress straight to the quarters, but Bianca Buitendag and Alessa Quizon will have to battle through round 4 if they want to progress.

They lost to world number three Tyler Wright to finish off a good day for the Aussies.