The race for the 2006 world championship of women's surfing is down to two.

No. 1-ranked Layne Beachley and No. 3 Chelsea Georgeson remained in contention for the world title yesterday by advancing to the quarterfinals of the Billabong Pro Maui contest at Honolua Bay.

The first three rounds of the event were completed in spectacular 6- to 10-foot waves.

Beachley's surfing matched the near-perfect waves. In her first-round heat, she received scores of 9.85 (out of 10) and 8.75 on her two best waves for a total of 18.6.

After earning a bye in the second round, Beachley received scores of 9.65 and 8.75 on her two best waves in the third round for a total of 18.4.

"It's a combination of the waves that I'm choosing and the confidence in the calm, relaxed manner in which I'm surfing," said Beachley, who is seeking her seventh world title. "When I pulled into that barrel in the first wave of the heat, I was just inside this massive cavern, thinking 'I'm coming out of it.' There was no apprehension, no anxiety, no nerves. Just full confidence and love of surfing Honolua Bay."

Georgeson, who is the defending world champion, defeated Maui's Paige Alms in the third round to advance to the quarterfinals. Georgeson needs to reach the final to have a shot at overtaking Beachley.

Both Beachley and Georgeson are from Australia.

Another Australian, Melanie Redman-Carr, dropped out of world title contention yesterday. She entered the contest ranked No. 2, but was eliminated in the third round by Wai'anae's Melanie Bartels.

"I didn't even think about the title implications, or taking out Mel Redman," Bartels said. "I just wanted to surf well.

"The waves were so perfect. I think I had one of the biggest barrels of my life here today."

Bartels had the best heat of the day, receiving scores of 9.6 and 9.25 on her two best waves for a total of 18.85 in her victory over Redman-Carr.

Bartels and Kaua'i's Keala Kennelly were the only Hawai'i surfers to advance to the quarterfinals. Kennelly also had an outstanding heat, receiving a two-wave score of 18.5.

Hawai'i surfers Alms, Megan Abubo and Rochelle Ballard were eliminated. Ballard scored a perfect 10 in the first round, but was eliminated in the third round.

The Maui contest is the final event for both the 2006 World Championship Tour for women and the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing for women.