J-Bay Open a wipeout for Sally Fitzgibbons, Tyler Wright’s world title hopes
THE world title campaigns of both Sally Fitzgibbons and Tyler Wright have take serious hits in and out of the water but six-time world champion Steph Gilmore is in ominous form.
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- Stephanie Gilmore calls for wave pools for Olympic surfing
- Sally Fitzgibbons keen for advice from Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson
THE world title campaigns of both Sally Fitzgibbons and Tyler Wright have take serious hits in and out of the water.
Fitzgibbons was the first big name knocked out of the J-Bay Open for women in South Africa when she failed to advance out of the elimination second round.
The result could see the Australian drop out of the top 10 at the end of the world tour event at Jeffreys Bay.
Two-time world champion Wright failed to make her first heat in South Africa, struck down by a bout of influenza.
After a slow start to the year, where she failed to make the semis in her first three events, Wright had worked her way back up to fourth on the world rankings with a second and third at her past two contests.
With athletes able to drop their two worst performances at the end of the tour, Wright still has some wriggle room to launch a comeback for her third world crown.
Last year Wright came from behind with a serious knee injury to claim her second title in the final event of the year in Hawaii.
In-form multiple world champion Stephanie Gilmore is the best-positioned Australian on the women’s world tour with two wins this season and has shown top form in J-Bay in the early rounds.
Gilmore was convincing in her defeat of fellow Australians Nikki Van Dijk and Macy Callaghan in her opening surf at Supertunes and will take on Van Dijk and American Sage Erickson when competition resumes.
“That feeling of waking up, peering out the window, and seeing a six-foot set is the greatest feeling in the world,” Gilmore said.
“Then, knowing you get to paddle and surf it with nobody else is such a joy.
“It can be overwhelming and you have to remind yourself that this is a contest.
“It was a fun heat and I am so happy to be here and surfing.
“I watched Filipe (Toledo) win yesterday and it was so inspiring. I feel like I didn’t even get started out there. I’ve got so much for to give.”