Fitzgibbons' fight to stay on tour is down to the wire
Sally Fitzgibbons has survived the first hurdle in securing her future on the World Surf League's top tour, advancing through the elimination round at the Margaret River Pro.
But another Australian veteran wasn't as fortunate, with Ryan Callinan packing his bags as a victim of the mid-season cut.
A huge swell arrived at the famous Western Australian break on Tuesday for the resumption of competition after two lay days, with wave faces at times topping five metres.
Waking up with this swell! 🌊🚨 The @westernaustralia #MargaretRiverPro is ON. Watch live it at https://t.co/ie0ZfMWjFw@fatboy_bikes pic.twitter.com/s51482UY1Q
— World Surf League (@wsl) May 19, 2025
Championship Tour veteran Fitzgibbons was pitted in a heat against Bettylou Sakura Johnson, the Hawaiian winner of their final at the Gold Coast Pro last weekend.
Trials winner, local surfer Willow Hardy, was also in the heat which became a neck and neck battle with less than a point splitting the trio at the end.
With the surfers trying to avoid being pounded by the heavy waves, Sakura Johnson (8.84) took the win with 2017 champion Fitzgibbons (8.33) second ahead of Hardy (7.97).
She next faces current rankings leader Gabriela Bryan, with the Hawaiian the defending Margaret River Pro champion.
Currently ranked 14th, Fitzgibbons needs at least a quarter-final appearance to avoid a third straight top 10 mid-season cut, while holding her ranking will ensure she keeps her place on the Championship Tour in 2026, with the women's field expanding.
American veteran Lakey Peterson, who also advanced through sudden-death, is the only surfer in the field who can take her place.
Callinan, meanwhile, is headed to the Challenger Series after finishing last in his elimination showdown with Hawaiian Barron Mamiya and Jacob Willcox.
The 32-year-old dropped to No.34 in the rankings, with the top 22 men moving on to the next tour stop at Lower Trestles in California.
The Newcastle surfer's hopes were hit hard when he missed two events, through injury, and then for the arrival of his baby earlier this month.
Fellow Australians Mikey McDonagh and Winter Vincent both moved through elimination into the round of 32.
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