Closing on Tokyo but goals await
CLOSE but not quite is all too familiar for Sally Fitzgibbons.
But a new coach and the “sparkle” of Olympic qualification this season ensures the popular NSW surfer will head to Bells Beach in Victoria for another event in good spirits.
Chasing a maiden Gold Coast win in the Boost Mobile Pro on Monday, the 28-yearold’s charge was again stopped in the semi-finals at Duranbah.
“I didn’t quite pull off what I was after but you kind of have to love it unconditionally and say my intention was there,” she said of her loss to longtime rival Carissa Moore.
The top-four finish still puts her at the top of the queue for an Olympic berth at surfing’s debut next year in Tokyo, where Australia’s top two ranked women will compete.
A champion middle distance runner as a junior, Fitzgibbons blushes when starting to entertain the thought of a Games tilt.
“Just to know it’s a possibility and it being on the agenda and having that sparkle to things moving forward (is exciting),” she said of Olympic qualification.
“Whether you get it or not, I’ve always thought about the road to, and the team’s developed with that in mind.
“The intention’s there and all that energy’s moving towards Tokyo, so just enjoy the journey.”
Three times a world title runner-up, Fitzgibbons spent 40 minutes on the beach chatting to fans before returning to the marshalling area and discussing with new coach Glenn Hall where it went wrong.
Former tour surfer Hall also coaches Owen Wright and guided his sister Tyler Wright to back-to-back world titles.