Sally Fitzgibbon misses World Surf League cut after being eliminated at the Margaret River Pro

Australia’s Sally Fitzgibbon will likely have to fight her way back onto surfing’s world tour via the challenger series for a second straight year after being eliminated in the quarterfinals at the Margaret River Pro, a finish that kept her below the mid-season cutline. Fitzgibbons, a 14-year veteran of the World Surf League’s championship tour is a past winner in Margaret River and three-time world title runner-up from 2010-12. But the 33-year-old will again need either a season wild-card from the WSL or to requalify to regain her place on the sport’s top tier after falling to American teenager Sawyer Lindblad in a heart-breaking finish at Main Break on Sunday. After a slow start to their heat, Fitzgibbon was left chasing a 6.18 inside the final minute to advance and keep her hopes of making the cut alive. And with less than 30 seconds to go, she got the set wave she was seeking only to slightly mistime her first turn and finish with a 5.67. The wave was only her second scoring ride of the encounter as Lindblad, who is also fighting to make the cut in her rookie season on tour, advanced 12.67 to 12.17 in 4-6ft conditions that were slower than the earlier heats. “It was pretty stressful but I was just trying not to think about it,” Lindblad, 18, said. “I was just focussed on trying to get waves. I’ve got nothing to lose and just want to keep going.” Lindblad will next face another Australian, two-time world champion Tyler Wright, who edged past current world No.1 Caitlin Simmers to make another semifinal in Margaret River. “It’s tricky out there, it looks so perfect but it was tricky to find the ones that were going to allow you to connect,” last year’s event runner up and 2016 champion said. Earlier, Australian India Robinson, who needed to win the event to make the cut, fell to Hawaiian Gabriela Bryan who was also chasing a result to keep her place on tour. “Each heat has been so big lately and going up against India, she’s my best friend on the tour so it was really hard,” Bryan said after advancing to the semis and securing her place on tour for the remainder of the season. “I’ve been on the lay days for five days and I’ve felt every emotion. It’s been crazy. It’s been a tough year for me so hopefully now I can surf without that pressure. What a relief, I’m so happy.” Bryan will face Costa Rician Brisa Hennessy, who ousted leading Australian Molly Picklum in their match-up. Women’s quarterfinals HEAT 1: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 14.03 (7.10, 6.93) def. India Robinson (AUS) 12.06 (6.03, 6.03) HEAT 2: Brisa Hennessy (CRI) 12.50 (6.83, 5.87) def. Molly Picklum (AUS) 11.80 (6.47, 5.33) HEAT 3: Tyler Wright (AUS) 12.66 (6.83, 5.83) def. Caitlin Simmers (USA) 11.90 (6.57, 5.33) HEAT 4: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 12.67 (7.17, 5.50) def. Sawyer Lindblad (USA) 12.17 (6.50, 5.67) Women’s semifinals HEAT 1: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) v Brisa Hennessy (CRI) HEAT 2: Tyler Wright (AUS) v Sawyer Lindblad (USA)