Sally Fitzgibbons beats Stephanie Gilmore in first surf battle of the year

IN their first stoush of the year, Sally Fitzgibbons showed she is serious about winning a maiden world title and Stephanie Gilmore she still has the moves to prevent it happening.

SURFEST SURFING

IN their first stoush of the year Sally Fitzgibbons showed she is serious about winning a maiden world title and Stephanie Gilmore she still has the moves to prevent it happening.

In their opening bout of the year Fitzgibbons came out on top to claim her first surfing crown of 2016 at the Taggart Pro on Sunday but both surfers showed they have the form to put Australia back on top of women’s world surfing by the end of the year.

Cyclone surfing at Avoca Beach

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For the first time since 2004, Australia ended 2015 outside the top two on the women’s world tour.

Fitzgibbons, chaired up the beach by Penrith lock fiancee Trent Merrin, was our best in third with the top spots filled by Americans Carissa Moore and Courtney Conlogue.

But three-time world tour runner up Fitzgibbons and six-time world champion Gilmore showed at Merewether beach they have the arsenal to dethrone their American rivals.

A hard-working Fitzgibbons defeated Gilmore 14.73 to 10 in their final – the first and last competition for the pair prior to the World Surf League opener, the Roxy Pro in March.

Australia's Sally Fitzgibbons chaired up the beach by fiance Trent Merrin. Pic Brett Costello

“It feels so good and the energy here for women’s surfing was just incredible,’’ Fitzgibbons said.

“I’m stoked. It gives me a lot of confidence for what is ahead.’’

More important to Gilmore than the win was what she has gained from the lead-up event.

“There were moments in the event, quite a few moments where I felt that confidence back,’’ said Gilmore, sidelined with injury for most of 2015 and admitting she is still finding her feat in competition situations.

“That a big thing for me. It’s a feeling I want to have. It’s a feeling I need to have’’

Sally Fitzgibbons and Stephanie Gilmore in Newcastle. Pic: Grant Sproule

Fitzgibbons, Gilmore and Tyler Wright are Australia’s three big challengers for the 2016 world crown.

The likes of Phillip Island surfer Nikki Van Dyke, Northern Beachers surfer laura Eenver and rookie Keely Andrews all have the potential to cause upsets.

While Fitzgibbons and Gilmore won’t surf competitively against before the Roxy Pro, Wright will test her early season form in this week’s Australian Open at Manly.

Stephanie Gilmore chasing her seventh world title this year.

Originally published as Sally Fitzgibbons beats Stephanie Gilmore in first surf battle of the year