Sally Fitzgibbons outshines Carissa Moore in second Semi-final of Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach
Australia’s Sally Fitzgibbons got the better of Hawaii’s Carissa Moore in the second Semi-final of Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach presented by Ford Fiesta that went down at the renowned Bells Beach in Victoria, Australia, on Saturday, April 7.
The crucial victory over Moore served to take Fitzgibbons into the Final of the second Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Women’s World Tour event of the season where she was to face Australia’s Stephanie Gilmore in a battle for the coveted event
title.
Moore, the 19-year-old 2011 ASP Women’s World Tour Champion, had shown off her huge array of stylish skills throughout the previous year to emerge as 2011’s more dominating female surfer. Heading into the 2012 season of ASP Women’s elite tour, there were
huge expectations from her, expectations that could hardly be called unjustified.
Displaying an intimidating form at Bells Beach since day 1 of the Rip Curl Women’s Pro, Moore successfully made it through the initial rounds before taking down Hawaii’s Coco Ho in the Quarter-finals to make her way into the Semi-finals.
Pitted against the reigning ASP Women’s World Champion in the second Semi-final was Fitzgibbons. The 21-year-old Australian had finished the last season in first runner-up position and was continuing to exhibit the same class and style this year as well.
After a strong performance at Roxy Pro Gold Coast, first stop of the 2012 ASP Women’s World Title Series, she continued her excellent run of form at Bells Beach to gradually make her way through a huge list of formidable competition to reach the Semi-finals.
The clash between Fitzgibbons and Moore was expected to be nothing short of epic as both the surfers were believed to be on top of their game.
As the battle for the title-shot got underway, Fitzgibbons went down to business right away, scoring an 8.17 off her first business-wave to take an early lead. She went on to add an additional 7.10 points to her account to take her heat-total to 15.27 points.
Moore seemed to be struggling in what had turned out to be a wave-starved heat and despite getting a good score of 7.17 off her first business-wave, she was only able to back it up with a 4.33-point wave. The resultant heat-total of 11.50 points put her
in a 3.77-point deficit, consequently forcing her to surrender victory to Fitzgibbons.
“Semi-finals is a good result but I’m disappointed in my performance there,” Moore said. “Unfortunately I couldn’t really get into a rhythm in that last heat, but it’s a keeper result and I’m looking forward to heading to New Zealand next week and hopefully
posting a big result there. I love the waves and the people there and feel really comfortable in Taranaki.”
Fitzgibbons made her way into the Final of Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach to square off with Gilmore for the event title.
Tags: