Rip Curl Pro 2016: Sally Fitzgibbons out to silence rivals as she amps up hunt for world surf crown
SHE’S lost her voice but Sally Fitzgibbons won’t be sidelined as she bids to put her world championship campaign back on track at Bells Beach.
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SHE’S lost her voice but Sally Fitzgibbons has refused to be sidelined as she bids to put her world championship campaign back on track at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.
Australia’s top finisher on the world tour last year with her third place finish, Fitzgibbons placed 13th in the season opener on the Gold Coast earlier this month for her worst ever world championship tour result.
The NSW south coast surfer said she has dealt with the disappointment of the loss as she attempts to become one of just three women to win three Rip Curl pro crowns in the second round of the world surf league series over Easter.
And even being laid low with a nasty virus didn’t stop Fitzgibbons hitting the water at Bells Beach on Thursday.
“After a rough start to the week after picking up an infection, it’s been a little different preparation,’’ Fitzgibbons said via text due to the loss of her voice.
“But I’ll be taking in a lot of confidence from an amazing training week last week and will just soak up all the Bells energy as soon as I run out under those cliffs.’’
Fitzgibbons and multiple world champion Stephnaie Gilmore both made shakey starts to the Rip Curl Pro on Thuersday, sent into the second round after losing their round one heats.
Hawaiian Malia Manuel beat Gilmore to advance directly into round three while Gilmore was beaten by South African Bianca Buitendag.
But both Australian surfers have the moves to surf their way back inot the comopetition with roudn two wins.
Last year Australia’s top female surfers failed to finish top two overall for the first time in over a decade.
This year the likes of Fitzgibbons, returning six-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore and opening round winner Tyler Wright are determined to rectify this omission.
“The Snapper event really just didn’t go to plan for me this year. I was feeling so good coming in, boards, body and mind all in a fantastic place,” Fitzgibbons said.
“That’s just surfing though You never know what curve balls will get thrown your way.
“I’ll just take that result in my stride and fire up for the next event here at Bells.”
Fitzgibbons can join the likes of Gilmore and Moore as a three-time winner of the Rip Curl Pro with a win at Bells Beach.
But both Gilmore and Moore have the opportunity to rewrite history by winning a fourth crown this year.
Tyler Wright, winner of the opening leg of the world surf league, is chasing a maiden win at Bells Beach.
Originally published as Rip Curl Pro 2016: Sally Fitzgibbons out to silence rivals as she amps up hunt for world surf crown
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