Sally Fitzgibbons powers through Round 1 of Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic
Australia’s Sally Fitzgibbons completely dominated the fifth heat of the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic’s Round 1 that went down at Dee Why point in Sydney, Australia, on Thursday, April 19.
The comprehensive victory in the fifth heat of the first round carried her straight into the third round without having to surf in the second round. Hawaii’s Malia Manuel and Brazil’s Jacqueline Silva rounded out the second and third place respectively,
consequently getting relegated to Round 2 to have another go at earning their place in Round 3.
The surfing conditions prevailing at Dee Why point on Thursday turned out to be pretty promising, putting the surfers in tricky four foot waves accompanied by winds. There were ample opportunities for the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Top 17
to show off their class in the conditions on offer, creating an electrifying atmosphere at the event site.
Fitzgibbons, 2011 ASP Women’s World Runner-Up and current No.1 on the ASP Women’s World rankings, had no intention to fall behind her compatriot Stephanie Gilmore and Hawaii’s Carissa Moore who had already won their heats to advance into the third round.
The 21-year-old Australian came hard at her competitors in the fifth heat of Round 1, locking an impressive 9.00-point ride and immediately backing it up with a massive 9.65-point wave to finish with a heat-total of 18.65 points. The score did not receive
any serious threat from her rivals until the end and eventually saw her off to victory.
“It’s a really good way to start the event,” Fitzgibbons said. “You always want to start a new campaign strong. It’s tricky today, you really have to pick those double-ups, the real meaty ones. It was a good battle with Malia [Manuel], she was dropping high
scores too. It always feel nice to post a couple of 9-point-rides. It’s rewarding to have the judges appreciate what you’re doing. I just wanted to throw those bigger turns in the biggest sections, that’s where you get the big scores.”
Manuel was nothing short of impressive during the course of the heat either, scoring a 7.60 and 8.00 off her best-two waves for a heat-total of 15.60 points. However, it proved insufficient to challenge Fitzgibbons’ position and thus forced the Hawaiian
to settle for second place.
Silva finished third with a two-wave total of 4.10 points, which included a 1.60 and 2.50-point wave.
While both Manuel and Silva failed to claim top honours in their Round 1 heat, they still have a chance to make it through into Round 3 by clinching victory in their respective Round 2 heats.
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