Sally FITZGIBBONS

Born and raised in sleepy seaside town of Gerroa on Australia’s New South Wales coast, Sally Fitzgibbons showed immense promise in a variety of different sports.

From a young age she represented her state and Australia on 14 occasions, winning gold at the 2007 Australian Youth Olympic Festival in the 800m and 1500m. But above touch football, soccer, athletics and cross-country came surfing - drawing her in like a retreating wave.

At 14 Fitzgibbons became the youngest surfer to win an ASP (formerly Association of Surfing Professional now World Surf League) Pro Junior event before backing it up with an International Surfing Association under 18 world title a year later in Portugal.

The Australian went on to make history when aged 18, she achieved the Qualifying Series championship faster than any other woman in history. She set a record by wrapping up the 2008 series in the first five events.

Fitzgibbons carried her impressive run of form in qualifying into her the Championship Tour (CT) where she finished her rookie season in the number five spot. For the next three years the Australian would make a name for herself by coming achingly close to the world title, finishing as runner-up in 2010, 2011 and 2012.