Sally Fitzgibbons Wins 2014 Women’s Fiji Pro

Photos by ASP/Robertson

Sally Fitzgibbons has taken out the 2014 Women’s Fiji Pro in tricky 4-6 foot conditions at Cloudbreak today, muscling out fellow Aussie Stephanie Gilmore.

It was their first match-up of the 2014 WCT season, but the gals were not gifted the same pumping conditions on offer during the earlier rounds, forcing a nail-biting end to the final.

Both wasted little time in getting to their feet, securing small scores to kick off the heat.

With less than 15 minutes to go, Steph found a crucial wave, connecting a series of polished backhand carves on a slopey Cloudbreak face for a 3.50 and a narrow lead over Sal.

A crucial exchange unfolded on the next set, with Sal delivering a flurry of maneuvers to Steph’s two select carves. Sal got the nod with a 6.00 to Steph’s 5.23, but the five-times world champion held the lead.

It might not be a make but this might just be the best backside tube shot we’ve ever seen of a female: Ms Gilmore, of course. Photo by ASP/Robertson.

In need of only a 2.73, Sal quickly found an additional wave, overtaking the lead with a 3.00. Her modest scores proved enough for the victory, marking back-to-back wins on the 2014 ASP Women’s WCT.

“I guess wins come in waves for me,” said Sal. “To win in beach breaks in Rio last week and then in reef breaks in Fiji this week is a huge boost to my confidence. I knew that I’ve been surfing well this year and I just needed things to fall my way before the wins started coming. Carissa (Moore) had a huge start to this season, but the year’s a long way from being finished. I’m looking forward to the US Open.”

Steph was is fine form throughout the competition but said she couldn’t find her groove at the pointy end of proceedings.

“The surf certainly got tricky there at the end of the day,” said Steph. “There had been good waves coming in all day, but it’s a challenging lineup and easy to find yourself out of place. It was a pretty slow Final and I fell on a couple that I could have capitalized on. All in all though, it’s been a great day, the girls all charged and it’s been a great return to Fiji for the ASP Top 17. Onto the next one.”

Sally Fitzgibbons clenched victory by the finest of margins. Photo by ASP/Robertson.