Sally Fitzgibbons obliterated her first-round opponents at the TSB Bank Women’s Surfing Festival in Taranaki, New Zealand, with the 19-year-old intent on grabbing her first ASP Women’s World Tour event.
The action at Fitzroy Beach on Tuesday was dominated by the world number five, with the Australian looking every inch a champion, posting the highest individual wave score of the round.
Fitzgibbons defeated Chelsea Hedges (AUS) and Bruna Schmitz (BRA), posting a near-perfect wave score of 9.33 (out of 10.00) to advance in first place with a combined score of 17.26 (out of 20.00). Rosanne Hodge will not be looking forward to facing Fitzgibbons in Round Three, that’s for sure!
“I feel like I’m surfing well and putting together good heats,” Fitzgibbons said.
"I've yet to crack a final – that's the goal." –Sally Fitzgibbons
“It’s all about putting together some good heats towards the end of the events, though. I’ve had good starts in both events, but have yet to crack a final – that’s the goal. Steph (Gilmore) has pulled out to a good lead this season and it’s up to the rest of us to rein her back in now.”
Highly-touted rookie Carissa Moore squared off against ASP World Champion Gilmore in her heat and there was no disgrace in the 17-year-old finishing second. Moore will meet Coco Ho in an all-Hawaiian match-up in Round Three.
Joining Fitzgibbons and Moore in the next stage is Sofia Mulanovich of Peru, who advanced in second place as well. The former world champion was defeated by heat winner Jessi Miley Dyer but will face Lee Ann Curren of France as the festival action really heats up.
Round Three Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Melanie Bartels (HAW) vs. Bruna Schmitz (BRA)
Heat 2: Coco Ho (HAW) vs. Carissa Moore (HAW)
Heat 3: Rebecca Woods (AUS) vs. Paige Hareb (NZL)
Heat 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) vs. Sarah Mason (NZL)
Heat 5: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) vs. Lee Ann Curren (FRA)
Heat 6: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) vs. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF)
Heat 7: Chelsea Hedges (AUS) vs. Jessi Miley Dyer (AUS)
Heat 8: Silvana Lima (BRA) vs. Amee Donohoe (AUS)
Highlights from the TSB Bank Women’s Surf Festival are available at nzsurffestival.co.nz, and for more information, log onto aspworldtour.com
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