Aussie heartache after cruellest blow
Having made the final at the last World Surf League event on the Gold Coast and riding some real momentum, Fitzgibbons, 34, needed a deep run in WA to avoid missing the mid-season cut for the third successive year and make the top-14 to be back next year.
When surfing resumed on Monday, Fitzgibbons charged out of the blocks against Bryan, the reigning champ at Margaret River, and was still leading as the pair latched on to waves in the final few minutes.
But just as victory looked within Fitzgibbons grasp, Bryan delivered the most powerful combination of their round of 16 showdown and a nine-point ride on her final wave to storm into the quarterfinals. Sally Fitzgibbons was denied in cruel fashion at Margaret River. (Photo by Cait Miers/World Surf League) Credit: Supplied
The abject despair was evident as Fitzgibbons lay on her board in the surf, her fate sealed, again, forcing the three-time world championship runner-up back to the qualification tour.
Only the top 10 surfers after Margaret River will continue the rest of the season, and only the top 14 are readmitted for 2026 to what will be an expanded women's field for the main tour.
Fitzgibbons dropped to 15th after and having been surfing in 'survivor mode' despite her good run on the Gold Coast, the exit of the 12-time tour winner, leaves only Molly Picklum, Isabella Nichols and two-time world champ Tyler Wright in the top 10 to chase a world title.
Both Picklum and Nichols progressed to the quarter-finals at Margaret River, but Wright was bundled out by Lakey Peterson, whose victory sealed Fitzgibbons' fate.
Wildcard Jacob Willcox is the only Aussie male still alive and will head to the quarter-finals.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
21 minutes ago
- Perth Now
Moscow Olympians finally recognised
Australian Olympians who competed at the 1980 Moscow Games have finally been recognised for their efforts 45 years later. The 1980 games have been a black spot on the Olympic record. Seven months before they were set to be held, the then Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan causing many countries to boycott the games. Although Australia never formally boycotted the event, public sentiment against Australian attendance was widespread. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser urged the Australian Olympic Federation (now the Australian Olympic Committee) to support the boycott and even offered athletes $6000 each as incentive not to compete. The 1980 Australian Olympic Team that defied intense public pressure to take part in the controversial Moscow Games attend Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia Some teams, including the entire Australian hockey and equestrian teams, withdrew completely, but in the end the Australian Olympic Federation narrowly voted against withdrawing from the games — six votes to five. Ultimately, just 121 of the original 273 athletes made it to the Games — quietly and with little fanfare — they were snuck in and out of the country in an unmarked plane and out of uniform. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and opposition leader Sussan Ley officially recognised the athletes participation and subsequent treatment in an address to parliament. 'When you were chosen to wear the green and gold you should draw strength from knowing that the whole nation is with you,' the Prime Minister said. 'And on your return you should be welcomed home and celebrated for the inspiration you have brought to the next generation of Australian athletes. Mr Albanese, Sport Minister Anika Wells and Speaker of the House, Milton Dick meet with the 1980 Australian Olympic Team for afternoon tea at Parliament House in Canberra. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia 'Yet 45 years ago, the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan cast a dark shadow over what should have been your shining moment. 'As nations around the world grappled with the boycott, Australia's athletes — some still only teenagers — were placed in an incredibly difficult position. 'One hundred and twenty-one Australians chose to compete under the Olympic flag. Others chose to join the boycott. Some who had won selection never even had the chance to choose because their sport made the decision for them.' Mr Albanese said upon their return athletes were met with 'cold silence or cruel comments'. 'Today, we fix that. Today, on the 45th anniversary, we recognise all that you have achieved and acknowledge all that you have overcome. 'Take pride in both. You are Olympians. You are Australians and you have earned your place in the history of the game and our nation. Welcome to parliament and welcome home.'
Herald Sun
an hour ago
- Herald Sun
Swimming World championships: Samuel Short withdraws from final
A devastated Sam Short has been forced to withdraw from the men's 800m freestyle final after a night of vomiting triggered by food poisoning from his hotel lunch in Singapore. The 21-year-old was looking to win his second individual medal of the world championships after claiming silver in the 400m freestyle event on Sunday night. And he was primed for another chance to get on the podium after qualifying for Wednesday night's 800m freestyle final as the second-fastest swimmer. The 800m is Short's preferred event, with the Australian having swum the third-fastest time in the world this season and also claiming the silver medal at the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka with the fastest time ever by an Australian. However, Short posted to Instagram on Wednesday afternoon, confirming that he would not participate in the race, apologising to his fans back in Australia. 'Just wanted to let everyone know that I will not be doing the 800m final tonight after receiving medical advice,' Short posted. Samuel Short won silver in the 400m, and was a great medal hope in the 800m final. Picture: Getty Images 'Extremely emotional after this decision, as I was very excited to showcase what I can do and the training I have done! I still believe this is my best race distance and I was ready for a PB. 'After an awesome heat swim which I felt phenomenal, I got very ill very fast, which we believe is food poisoning from my hotel lunch. I have only been consuming meals from the hotel. My afternoon and night has been full of vomiting and all the other nasty stuff that comes with food poisoning! Not pleasant and extremely draining. 'I had full intention of competing if I started to show signs of improvement. However this has not happened. I am going to try my best to recover as well as possible to help my team in the 4x200 relay on Friday. Sorry Australia.' Many of his Dolphins teammates were quick to offer their support in the comments, including Kyle Chalmers, Lani Pallister and Ariarne Titmus. It's also not the first instance of food poisoning disrupting these World Championships, with the American team hampered by a bout of gastro that is believed to have stemmed from a training camp in Thailand. Short will have two days to recover before reassessing his health ahead of the 4x200m freestyle relay heats on Friday. Originally published as Swimming World championships: 'Devastated' Samuel Short withdraws from 800m finals
Sydney Morning Herald
3 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Sorry, Australia': Short floored by food poisoning, set to miss 800m final
Singapore: The Dolphins have been rocked by a food poisoning drama at the world swimming championships after Sam Short announced he will not line up in the 800m freestyle final on Wednesday night. In a concerning development, just days after members of the United States team reported gastro issues before competition, Short announced he was pulling out of an event in which he was a major gold medal chance. Short won a silver medal in the event at the 2023 world championships and was the second-fastest qualifier for tonight's final. He was aiming to become the first Australian to win world championships gold in the 800m freestyle since Grant Hackett in 2005. 'Just wanted to let everyone know that I will not be doing the 800m final tonight after receiving medical advice,' Short wrote on Instagram. 'Extremely emotional after this decision as I was very excited to showcase what I can do and the training I have done! I still believe this is my best race distance and I was ready for a PB. 'After an awesome heat swim which I felt phenomenal, I got very ill very fast, which we believe is food poisoning from my hotel lunch. I have only been consuming meals from the hotel. My afternoon and night has been full of vomiting and all the other nasty stuff that comes with food poisoning! Not pleasant and extremely draining. Loading 'I had full intention of competing if I started to show signs of improvement. However, this has not happened. I am going to try my best to recover as well as possible to help my team in the 4x200 relay on Friday. Sorry Australia.' Short picked up a silver medal on the opening night of competition in the men's 400m freestyle, just 0.02 seconds off world record holder Lukas Martens. Australia still have a great gold medal hope on Wednesday night when Mollie O'Callaghan races in the women's 200m freestyle final.
