GERROA’S Sally Fitzgibbons posted a near perfect 9.27 score to defeat world number one, Hawaii’s Carissa Moore, in the final of the Rio Women’s Pro.
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It was an epic finals day of barrelling waves on Monday, May 12 at the Billabong Rio Pro in Barra Da Tijuca, which saw Fitzgibbons take on the reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion in the finals.
While Moore jumped out to an early lead, Fitzgibbons fought back, posting scores of 9.27 and 7.00, securing her second career Rio Women’s Pro victory, and her first major victory this year.
Fitzgibbons defeated Hawaii’s Coco Ho and defending event winner and former Culburra Beach surfer Tyler Wright, before defeating Moore for the win.
Her effort moves her to number two on the ASP Women’s WCT rankings behind Moore.
“A lot of hard work went into this victory and I’m so happy,” Fitzgibbons said. “There’s a great rivalry between myself and Carissa. We always have such great battles and I knew I had to step things up after the semi-final to take the win. The crowd was sending me great vibes out in the water and that really helped.” The Rio Women’s Pro was stop number four on the 2014 Samsung Galaxy ASP World Championship Tour.
“It’s a long year but I think I have a lot of strong surfing left in me. I’m really excited to get over to Fiji and try and get another result like this,” Fitzgibbons said.
