Sally Fitzgibbons ready for world surfing title Grand Final
IT’S the closest world surfing title race in recent times but Sally Fitzgibbons says she wouldn’t have it any other way as she prepares for her “Grand Final and State of Origin all rolled into one”.
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IT’S the closest, most nerve-racking race for the women’s world surfing title race in recent times but Sally Fitzgibbons says she wouldn’t have it any other way as the sports nut prepares for her “Grand Final and State of Origin all rolled into one”.
Fitzgibbons says having the women’s world crown going down to the final event World Tour event of the year in Hawaii in late November only makes it feel more special than usual.
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“It’s just like a Grand Final. We don’t get to have our own Grand Final very often,” said Fitzgibbons, taking time out from training briefly to helm her Celebration of Australian Women in Surf Gala at Manly on Saturday.
“How could it be better than to have a Grand Final finish. It’s like the State of Origin decider, the Grand Final rolled into one
“It’s insane. But it’s a deserve situation for the year we have.”
While Fitzgibbons officially leads the title race from Tyler Wright and American Courtney Conlogue going into Hawaii with her two worst results calculated into her score, she actually trails fellow Australian and defending world champion Wright.
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Simply put, if one of the three wins, they clinch the world crown.
It’s a high pressure situation that Fitzgibbons is embracing.
“There is no better way to imagine winning this title that the way it is going,” she said.
On Saturday Fitzgibbons and Wright, along with the likes of former world champions Layne Beachley and Pam Burridge, were headline acts at the surfing gala in Manly organised by the world No. 1 to honour the sports top women and give their stories an audience.
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“We wanted to shine the spotlight on what these incredible women have achieved,’’ Fitzgibbons said. “That’s what I love about other Aussie sports, they pay homage to their legends and their amazing moments - now.’’