SALLY AT AUSTRALIAN OPEN

MANLY, NSW/Australia (Monday, 13 February, 2012) – Today the Australian Open Of Surfing at Manly Beach presented by Hurley and Billabong saw the world’s best female surfers hit the water and put on an impressive show for the revellers on the beach and online. With critical points and prize money on offer the competition was fierce for the opening round of the women’s ASP 6-Star division.

Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), runner-up to the 2011 ASP Women’s World Title was on point for her first heat of 2012. Surfing with an injured left wrist didn’t hamper her performance, as she posted the highest heat total of the day – 17.83 (out of a possible 20).

“It’s great to be here in Sydney for the Australian Open!” Fitzgibbons said. “It’s been a while since I’ve been in the water because of my wrist, so it’s great to be getting back into it. This is a great warm-up for the first ASP Women’s World Title event on the Gold Coast. The wrist is feeling good, I’ve got a little guard on it to help stand-up and duck dive. It’s mending slowly and I’m expecting that it should be alright by the Roxy Pro.”

Sally progressed through the round of 24 in deteriorating conditions at the end of the day and will surf the round of 12 Tuesday afternoon.