Rookie Gilmore falters

Stephanie Gilmore may yet make history by becoming the first rookie -- male or female -- to win a world surfing championship.

But the stylish Australian will have to wait until next month’s season finale to see whether she has what it takes.

Gilmore, 19, is the ASP Women’s World Tour points leader and considered a dynasty in the making. She could have clinched the title with a victory Thursday at the Roxy Pro Sunset Beach on Oahu’s North Shore.

But she was bounced in the quarterfinals in tricky eight- to 10-foot waves, then watched as Sofia Mulanovich of Peru won the contest to move from third to second in what is now a three-woman race that also involves Silvana Lima of Brazil.

“I never really thought of a world title coming here,” Mulanovich said. “I just wanted to have fun, surf wave by wave and have a good contest.”

Indeed, now Mulanovich appears to be best-positioned to claim both the world title and the prestigious Vans Triple Crown of Surfing championship.

With her victory, Mulanovich tied Megan Abubo in a Triple Crown series race that, like the ASP season, will conclude with the Billabong Maui Pro, Dec. 8-20 at Honolua Bay.

Abubo won the first leg two weeks ago at Haleiwa but suffered a rib injury during Thursday’s semifinals and is questionable for the finale.

Mulanovich won the Triple Crown last year and clinched her only world title at Maui in 2004.

Gilmore learned how powerful and fickle Sunset can be after getting caught inside during a massive set that kept her too busy to catch many waves.

“I tried to duck under but it just smoked me,” she said of the initial set wave that shoved her far inside. “Then I got about six more on the head and by that time I only had half a board. It was pretty strenuous.”

pete.thomas@latimes.com