SEA OF MYSTERY:
WORLD SURFING TITLES HEADING RIGHT DOWN TO THE WIRE
SALLY Fitzgibbons will head to the final event of the year with all guns blazing in an attempt to win the first World Surf League title of her career.
Fitzgibbons ensured she would keep the tour leader’s yellow jersey heading into the final event of the year with a semi-final finish at the Roxy Pro, France on Saturday.
But her loss to three-time world champion Carissa Moore in the semi-finals could prove crucial when the final numbers are crunched at the Maui Women’s Pro in Hawaii next month.
Fitzgibbons, who hails from the NSW South Coast but will have a “second home” on the Gold Coast after buying into tower one in the Jewel project at Surfers Paradise, is locked in a thrilling race with defending champion Tyler Wright and American Courtney Conlogue for the WSL title.
A three-time tour runnerup, Fitzgibbons leads the race by 1700 points from Wright, with Conlogue a further 1200 points back on a virtual tally once their worst result of the season has been discarded.
The race is so tight that Fitzgibbons, Wright and Conlogue can all lock up the title with a win in Hawaii, with even second place from any of
their rivals not enough to prevent them from taking the silverware.
Second place from any of them would require a win from their rival to claim the title, while if the trio all make the semi-finals, Wright will win once each contestant has discarded their worst two results
of the season so far. Wright and Conlogue need to ensure they at least make the quarter-finals to get rid of a ninth placing each is still holding, while Fitzgibbons has been the most consistent surfer on tour this year, never finishing outside of the quarter-finals.
She could be left to rue her last two losses though – to eventual event winners Nikki Van Dijk in the semi-finals of the Cascais Pro in Portugal earlier this month, and Moore in France – where she could have made a break on both Wright and Conlogue.
“Carissa (Moore) got the jump with that first 8.67 and it was tough to find (a wave),” Fitzgibbons said of their semifinal battle.
“In the end, I needed that nine-point wave. I feel like my surfing was there, I really just didn’t bump into the opportunity.
“It’s good to be consistent throughout the year, but you know I have the desire, I want to win events and be on that podium.”
Wright was still recovering from a knee injury sustained in Portugal but her push into the semi-finals has her back in prime position to defend her crown.
“I’ve actually enjoyed the journey of this injury,” Wright said.
“It’s actually pushed me forward at an accelerated rate. I have such a deep appreciation for all the time and efforts that everyone around me have put in, especially during this week.
“It makes competing incredibly enjoyable for me and I’m so lucky to have them all on my side.”