Sally Fitzgibbons under assault for top spot in world title race

IN the tightest battle for the women’s world crown in recent years just a single finish place separates Sally Fitzgibbons from her two main rivals heading into the first European event of the year.

Courtney Conlogue, Tyler Wright and Sally Fitzgibbon at Bells Beach earlier this year.

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IN the tightest battle for the women’s world crown in recent years just a single finish place separates Sally Fitzgibbons from her two main rivals heading into the first European event of the year.

A narrow 400 points separates Fitzgibbons from American Courtney Conlogue and defending world champion Tyler Wright ahead of the Cascais Pro in Portugal.

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The closeness of the race is in stark contrast to a year ago where Wright was in a position to snare the world title with two events still to surf.

Courtney Conlogue, Tyler Wright and Sally Fitzgibbon together at Bells Beach.

Wright eventually ended up claiming the world crown in the second last event of the year, the Roxy Pro France.

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Conlogue is a two-time winner in Portugal and the events defending champion.

She is also the only surfer to have won two events this year following victories at Bells Beach and Fiji.

Sally Fitzgibbons in action at the Swatch Pro earlier this month.

Six-time world champion Gilmore, sitting in fourth spot on the world rankings, has been drawn against former multiple world champion Carissa Moore and Hawaiian Malia Manuel in her first heat.

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Fitzgibbons will surf against Coco Ho and wildcard Teresa Bonvalot in heat three.

Conlogue is up against Australian Keely Andrew and South African Bianca Buitendag, the later a replacement for sick Australian Laura Enever.

Wright has been drawn against Hawaiian Tatiana Weston-Webb and Australian Bronte Macaulay in heat five.