Sally stuns experienced rivals in All Girls final
Fifteen-year-old rookie Sally Fitzgibbons stunned her more experienced rivals to win the 14th annual ICON All Girls Surf Showdown at Lennox Head on the June long weekend.
Sally won the open pro
final in 2m to 3m waves, beating former world champion Pauline Menczer, of Ocean Shores, and rising star, world junior champion Stephanie Gilmore, of Kingscliff.
Kathy Newman, of Sawtell, was the other finalist but did not take part in the decider due to injury received in the 28 and over final.
Sally also took out the 16 and under final.
After a slow start to the event in small conditions on Saturday, the swell rose over the weekend. Organisers said Sally showed ‘incredible skill and guts’ to out-surf her rivals in the final. Due to the big swell, the paddle-out time was increased to 15 minutes, and the Lennox Head-Alstonville surf club’s IRB crew was on hand in case of any trouble.
The All Girls was the biggest yet, attracting a record 192 entries.
Contest directors Rachel Bonhote Mead and Laura Adsett, doing the job for the first time, were blessed by the conditions, which allowed the event to remain in Lennox all weekend for the first time in more than five years.
An indication of the standard of surfing was the surprise elimination of highly fancied competitors Jenny Boggis, Laurina McGrath, Sandra English, Sheridan Shields, Sarah Beardmore and Kate Skarratt on day two.
The ICON Idol held at Lake Ainsworth Recreation Centre on Saturday night was a success, with judges Gary Fox, Tamara Corrigan and Sue Fryer impressed by the talent on show. Julie Allan from Lennox Head was the most popular finalist and took out the prizes, including a Joe Stark Art trophy.
Event co-ordinator Vicki Bellato won praise for her work in organising the event.
Results: Go to http://www.ballina.info/blog/2006/06/14/all-girls-showdown-the-results/
PICTURE: The open pro finalists.
