Fitzgibbons' fight to stay on tour is down to the wire
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
a day ago
- USA Today
Kansas City Chiefs arrive at preseason matchup vs. Seattle Seahawks in style
Preseason Patrick in the PNW‼️ The Kansas City Chiefs arrived in style at Lumen Stadium for their tilt against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2 of the 2025 NFL preseason. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce — who always make a point to don their best attire for Kansas City's games — were sure to dress their best for Seattle's famously dreary weather as the rain started to fall in the Emerald City. Mahomes wore an all-white ensemble that featured the Adidas logo, a silver chain, and a snazzy hat from his new steakhouse, 1587 Prime. Kelce joined his quarterback in promoting the fledgling restaurant by wearing a white 1587 Prime cap, an orange and green rugby shirt, and oversized khakis. Take a look at what the rest of the reigning AFC champions wore as they walked to Kansas City's locker room this evening: Patrick Mahomes Travis Kelce The human exclamation point‼️ Bryan Cook and Jared Wiley Seattle stylin' 🔥 Charles Omenihu and Marquise 'Hollywood' Brown You smell me, that's LV 😮💨 Andy Reid He can make a Hawaiian shirt work anywhere.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
No Fyfe farewell yet: Longmuir bullish on finals hopes
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has told Nat Fyfe there won't be any farewells just yet as the Dockers brace themselves for a make-or-break final-round game against the Western Bulldogs. Friday night's 57-point loss to Brisbane has left Fremantle's finals hopes hanging by a thread, with the game against the Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Sunday week set to decide the Dockers' fate. The retiring Fyfe was given a guard of honour by both Brisbane and Fremantle after the Lions' impressive 15.11 (101) to 5.14 (44) win at Optus Stadium. "They've always supported me" 💜Nat Fyfe pays tribute to the Fremantle faithful.#AFLFreoLions — AFL (@AFL) August 15, 2025 Supersub Fyfe came on for the start of the final quarter and finished with eight disposals and one clearance. Even if Fremantle beat the Bulldogs next week, it may not be enough to earn them a home final, meaning Fyfe may not get the chance to play in front of the Purple Army again. Fyfe will no doubt be the centre of attention leading into Fremantle's final-round fixture, but Longmuir believes there are still a few more games left to play for the two-time Brownlow medallist. "I haven't said my farewells to him yet. I told him that after the game. We've got plenty of footy left in us," a defiant Longmuir said. "We've won 11 of our last 13. I know everyone will be doom and gloom and write us off again after tonight, but I've got a lot of faith in this team. One of the greatest we've ever seen 💜#AFLFreoLions — AFL (@AFL) August 15, 2025 "It didn't go our way tonight, but like I said to them after the game, we'll review it the same way, get better, dust ourselves off and we'll go again." Fremantle missed the finals last year with a 12-10-1 record, losing their last four games to fall from third to 10th. The Dockers (15-7) could suffer a similar fate this year, but Longmuir is backing his maturing group to get the job done. "We've grown a lot. We've already won three more games than last year," Longmuir said. "We were playing in spits and spurts at the start of the year, we've got some players back and found our groove. "It didn't give our way tonight, but everyone wants to talk about the last four games of last year. "We had some injuries through that period to really key players. People forget about that as well. "But we'll get better, and take our best over to Melbourne and play the Dogs." In a huge boost for Fremantle, star midfielder Hayden Young is on track to return from an adductor strain against the Bulldogs. "He's a good chance for next week," Longmuir said. "We've got longer break. We'll be able to get some work into him, and he's a good chance." Fremantle conceded the opening five goals on Friday and had 0.8 to their name before finally kicking their first major late in the second term. Longmuir wasn't sure whether the weight of the occasion or the emotion surrounding Fyfe's retirement had affected the group.
USA Today
2 days ago
- USA Today
Best of Team Australia pole vaulter Nina Kennedy in images
Nina Kennedy is the Australian record holder in the pole vault, which made her one of the people to watch during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. Kennedy has also caught the eye of some fashionistas as she was profiled in Australia Vogue last month. Next up: All eyes will be on the talented athlete's run toward Los Angeles, California, for the 2028 Summer Games. Nina Kennedy Nina Kennedy Nina Kennedy Nina Kennedy Nina Kennedy Nina Kennedy Nina Kennedy Nina Kennedy Nina Kennedy Nina Kennedy Nina Kennedy Nina Kennedy Nina Kennedy Nina Kennedy Nina Kennedy Nina Kennedy Nina Kennedy Nina Kennedy Nina Kennedy Nina Kennedy Nina Kennedy Nina Kennedy
