SALLY FAR TOO GOOD FOR TYLER

AUSTRALIAN surfer Sally Fitzgibbons has taken out the Margaret River Pro by beating defending world champion Tyler Wright yesterday.

A three-time world runnerup, Fitzgibbons outpointed Wright 14.90 to 12.53 to claim her maiden victory at Margaret River after eight years on the world tour.

The 26-year-old joined sixtime world champion Stephanie Gilmore in top spot in the 2017 World Surf League rank- ings heading into this month’s event at Victoria’s Bells Beach.

“I feel on top of the world,” Fitzgibbons said. “I really have that confidence in myself at the moment. Everything I’ve been working on this year has put me in such a good mindset.

“I just feel a sense of belonging. My body and my mind are where I want them to be and I have the desire to take my surfing to the next level.”

Wright was the popular tip after dominant performances leading up to the final, including a comfortable victory over American Sage Erickson in the semi-final.

But Fitzgibbons grabbed the initiative early in the decider and Wright couldn’t produce a winning ride.

Wright and Fitzgibbons both grew up on the NSW South Coast and are friends.

“I’ve known Sal since I was nine years old and I was stoked both of us were in the final,” Wright said.