Sally Fitzgibbons ready to slam rivals in ‘Wimbledon of surfing’ at Bells Beach

She’s the top ranked surfer in Australia heading into the Bells Beach round of the World Tour but at the end of it Sally Fitzgibbons is aiming to be on top of the world.

Sally Fitzgibbons has won at Bells Beach twice previously. Pic: Nigel Hallett.

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She’s the top ranked surfer in Australia heading into the Bells Beach round of the World Tour but at the end of it Sally Fitzgibbons is aiming to be on top of the world.

Fitzgibbons was the only Australian - female or male - to make the semi-finals in surfing’s opening world tour event of the year on the Gold Coast earlier this month.

And she is one of only two Australians - Steph Gilmore is the other - to have rung the winners trophy bell at the longest running world championship level contest on the World Tour.

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“It takes the planets to align to win at Bells,’’ said Fitzgibbons, who won her two titles in 2011 and 2012 and is now working with surf coach Glenn ‘‘Micro’’ Hall who helped guide Tyler Wright to her two world surf titles.

Sally Fitzgibbons is chasing a third crown at Bells Beach. Pic: Nigel Hallett

Sally Fitzgibbons with the runners-up trophy in 2016.

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“It’s like Wimbledon for us in surfing. It is very special.

“Just being here among the history fires me up. I can’t wait for it to start.’’

The Rip Curl Pro, celebrating its 58th year, is expected to kick off Thursday after poor conditions on the first day of the competition window on Wednesday delayed the start.

Sally Fitzgibbons in action on the Gold Coast earlier this month. Pic: WSL Matt Dunbar.

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Fitzgibbons, who has spent much of the off-season recovering from a fractured shoulder sustained in the finale of last year’s World Tour in Maui, says she feels positive about her changes of snaring a third crown.

“I really think it is possible. I have a good feeling in my body and a good mindset,’’ said Fitzgibbons, who has not won a world tour event since 2017.

“I feel sharp.’’

Also motivated for success is Gilmore, the defending champion, who failed to progress out of the quarter-finals in the world tour opener.

The men’s field is headed by 2018 World Tour rookie of the year Wade Carmichael, brothers Owen and Mikey Wight and last year’s world tour runner-up Julian Wilson.

The defending men’s champion is Brazilian Italo Ferreira.