Sally Fitzgibbons : photo Steve Robertson

Arrive Alive Central Coast Pro

Men's 4 Star WQS Event
Women's 4 Star WQS Event
Soldiers Beach, Norah Head NSW
11 - 16 March 2008

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Super Sally Fitzgibbons wins again at Arrive Alive Pro on the Central Coast

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 15 March, 2008 : - - Soldiers Beach -- The Arrive alive Central Coast Pro saw teenage sensation and Arrive alive ambassador Sally Fitzgibbons (Gerroa) defeating 16 year old Laura Enever (North Narabeen) in the Women’s Final. Fitzgibbons, who did not lose a heat all contest, was again in devastating form unleashing a number of backhand maneuvers en route to victory at Soldiers Beach.

“It was a great event surfed in really contestable waves,” she said. “I am so stoked with the result today. Laura surfed extremely well and it made it a really good final.” 

In what was a showcase of the bright future of Australia’s  women surfing, Fitzgibbons defeated Enever 15.87 to 11.77 to claim her second World Qualifying Series (WQS) win of the year – backing up her season opening win at Phillip Island and establishing a massive ratings lead.

“I’m enjoying every minute of my surfing at the moment. The past two results have given me an awesome springboard for the rest of the year. To back up my first result in Philip Island is really good.” When looking toward the future and what looks like an immanent birth in the 2009 World Championship Tour (WCT), Fitzgibbons is not thinking too far into the future.

Sally Fitzgibbons : photo Steve Robertson

“I’m not thinking about next year at this stage, I just want to take every event one at a time,” she said retrospectively. “My plan for 2008 is to just do well and enjoy my surfing, one heat at a time.” For Enever, a fellow Arrive alive ambassador and junior sensation, her second placing marks the best result of her career to date.

“I am so stoked to just have made the final,” she said. “When I entered the event I didn’t expect to make the final, so when I made it I didn’t care where I came – I was really stoked to be out there.”

In what already has become a rivalry between the two young guns, Enever was more than content to make the final with Fitzgibbons, after being eliminated by her in the semi finals at Phillip Island. “I’m just really glad to make the finals with her,” she said. “Sally deserved to win she was the best surfer throughout the whole event.”

Earlier in the day Leigh Sedley (Sunshine Coast, QLD) claimed his maiden WQS victory with a nail-biting win over Shaun Gossmann (Gold Coast) in the Men’s final. As well as gaining valuable ratings points heading into the rest of the 2008 season, Sedley also pocketed US$10,000.

The Arrive alive Central Coast Pro saw144 male and 64 female surfers compete for total divisional prize money purses of US$80,000 and US$25,000 respectively, plus valuable early season WQS ratings points. The event will be webcast live at the event website arrivealivepro.com. The event website will feature live scores, heat by heat results, daily news as well as photo and video galleries updated daily.

The Arrive alive Central Coast Pro is proudly supported by the NSW Motor Accidents Authority, Wyong Shire Council, The Beachcomber Hotel, Ocean & Earth, ASP Australasia, Surfing NSW, NBN Television, Central Coast Sun Weekly, Star FM, Australia’s Surfing Life and Greater Toukley Vision.

Finals
Sally Fitzgibbons def Laura Enever

Semifinals
Semi 1: Sally Fitzgibbons def Amee Donohoe
Semi 2: Laura Enever def Julie De La Rosa Toro

Quarterfinals
Q1: Sally Fitzgibbons def Pauline Ado
Q2: Amee Donohoe def Mizuki Hagiwara
Q3: laura Enever def Laurina McGrath
Q4 Jul De La Rosa Toro def Airini Mason

Click here to check the Full Results

Previous reports:
# 1 : Arrive Alive Central Coast Pro readies for March 11 launch
# 2 : Arrive Alive Central Coast Pro rolls out with opening party
# 3 : Soldiers Beach turns on for Arrive Alive Pro opening day
# 4 : Arrive Alive Central Coast Pro Rnd 2 top seeds dominate 

# 5 : Arrive Alive Central Coast Pro sees an in form Sam Page
# 6 : Arrive Alive Pro sets stage for Hamilton/Fitzgibbons duel
# 7 : Leigh Sedley claims win at Arrive Alive Central Coast Pro

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Arrive Alive Media
Steve Robertson
stever@surfingaustralia.com

Michael Tyrpenou
michael.tyrpenou@gmail.com

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