ARPOADOR, Rio de Janeiro/Brazil (Thursday, May 10, 2012) -- The Billabong Rio Pro returned to the lefthanders of Arpoador to complete Round 2 of women's competition in challenging one-to-three foot (0.5 metre) waves.

Event No. 5 of 7 on the 2012 ASP Women's World Championship Tour, the Billabong Rio Pro made the most of the conditions on offer today, completing the elimination Round 2 and setting up for a finish by the final day on the waiting period this Sunday.

Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 24, four-time ASP Women's World Champion and current frontrunner, commanded her Round 2 bout against replacement surfer Melanie Bartels (HAW), 30, earning one of the day's highest single-wave scores of 8.50 out of 10 en route to the day's highest heat total of 16.70 out of 20 with fluid backhand surfing.