Stephanie Gilmore and Sally Fitzgibbons: Australian domination of female surfing in sight
Surfing is still struggling to gain itself a mainstream status, an endeavour that is being immensely aided by the male division of the sport. The female surfing, however, is still in the take-off stage, clearly overshadowed by its male counter-part.
There have been a few female surfers who have proved that they are in the sport for more than just fun, they are in it to push the boundaries and gain the same recognition that is enjoyed by the male surfers.
Where there is a determination for recognition and acknowledgement, one is bound to come across a handful of stand-out performers and phenomenal performances. There are two names in female surfing which have been popping up for quite some time now, two names
that have brought a lot of attention to a division that is trying to beat the odds and stand equal to its male-counter. These two names are Stephanie Gilmore and Sally Fitzgibbons.
The two Australian surfers have been making waves in the sport for quite some time now. Their expertise in their field is apparent, consistently stealing the spotlight at every event they compete at. The ability to deliver sensational performances regardless
of the surfing conditions on hand indeed makes the two ladies special, putting them in a league of their own.
There is no denying the fact that Hawaii’s Carissa Moore dominated the 2011 female surfing season. However, she hardly had an opportunity to relax because of Fitzgibbons breathing down her neck at all times. The 21-year-old Australian may not have been able
to wrap her fingers around the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Women’s World Title, but the fight that she put up for it left everyone convinced that the coveted honours was soon going to be hers.
Gerroa-based Fitzgibbons is currently competing in her fourth ASP Women’s World Title campaign, with two runner-up and one fifth-place finish to her name. The latest season has found her in superior form yet again, sitting just behind her compatriot Gilmore
on the ASP Women’s World Title rankings.
Gilmore has already gotten herself a repute of being one of the best female surfers of all time. She had been taking home the ASP Women’s World Title since 2007 and only found her streak come to an end when Moore took it away in 2011.
The 24-year-old sensation had wasted no time in asserting her authority after getting incepted in the elite tour. With numerous victories to her name, there is hardly anyone who is not in awe of what she has accomplished in the last five years.
The 2012 season is turning out to be Gilmore’s year as she has already registered a couple of wins to become the frontrunner in the race for the event title. She has almost sealed the fate of the ASP Women’s World Title in her favour, though the excellent
run of form that Fitzgibbons is currently exhibiting is keeping the suspense alive.
While the likes of Moore and America’s Courtney Conlogue are managing to remain under spotlight on regular basis, it is difficult to keep the thought of Australian domination of female surfing from creeping into the mind. The Australian duo has hardly left
any doubts in one’s mind that they will be dominating the sport for the next years to come, with their compatriot Tyler Wright and Laura Enever making significant contributions to the cause.
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