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🇫🇯 Fiji /Sports

Fitzgibbons upsets rival Gilmore in emotional Fiji Pro clash

From FBC News · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Sally Fitzgibbons defeated fellow Australian Steph Gilmore in the first round of the Fiji Pro surfing competition.
  • The win was dedicated by Fitzgibbons to the late former Surfing Australia CEO Mark Lane.
  • The event also saw other notable upsets, including Tyler Wright's early exit, while Isabella Nichols advanced.

Sally Fitzgibbons delivered an emotional victory over longtime rival Steph Gilmore at the Fiji Pro, advancing to the second round while continuing Gilmore's challenging return to the championship tour. Fitzgibbons edged out the eight-time world champion 9.97 to 8.37 in their Wednesday showdown at Cloudbreak.

That one was for you Laney. He was a true legend of our surf community. He was with me when I was 13, 14 on Team Australia. I’m sending all my love to his family and friends.

— Sally FitzgibbonsFitzgibbons dedicated her win to former Surfing Australia chief executive Mark Lane.

This marks the sixth time this season Gilmore has been eliminated in the first round, a stark contrast to her career achievements, following a two-year sabbatical. Her sole victory this season was at the Gold Coast Pro in May, her 34th Championship Tour win.

Fitzgibbons, who faces five-time world champion Carissa Moore next, dedicated her win to the recently deceased former Surfing Australia chief executive Mark Lane. "That one was for you Laney. He was a true legend of our surf community," Fitzgibbons stated, sending love to his family and friends.

It was back to the clash of the vets. We were reliving our heyday, our 2014 final. It’s why you still do it. I think the universe was at play there because we were in separate parts of the draw (initially).

— Sally FitzgibbonsFitzgibbons described the rematch with Gilmore, which was rescheduled due to another competitor's withdrawal.

The matchup between Fitzgibbons and Gilmore was a repeat of the 2014 Fiji Pro final, which Fitzgibbons also won. Initially, they were in separate parts of the draw, but an injury withdrawal by American Caitlin Simmers led to a schedule reshuffle. "It was back to the clash of the vets. We were reliving our heyday, our 2014 final," Fitzgibbons remarked, highlighting their two-decade-long rivalry and the competitive fire it ignites.

It’s a 20-year rivalry, you’ve got to have that. That energy around it, that spark. I love surfing against the new generation that pushes you also, but there’s nothing like it (against your old rivals). That bitter taste of all the defeats your rivals handed to you – you just want to go out there and smash them.

— Sally FitzgibbonsFitzgibbons reflected on her long-standing rivalry with Gilmore.
About this summary

Originally published by FBC News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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