Sport is defined by its greatest rivalries: Federer and Nadal, Navratilova and Evert, Nicklaus and Palmer, Ali and Frazier. These are just some of the great rivals that have transcended the sports of tennis, golf and boxing.
After a year of distractions dropped her down the Jeep Leaderboard, Sally Fitzgibbons narrowed her focus in 2017, and it's working. - WSL / Matt Dunbar
Surfing is no different. Throughout its history there have been epic duels between the greats that have helped pushed the sport into new territory -- Mark Richards and Cheyne Horan, Pam Burridge and Frieda Zamba, Tom Carroll and Tom Curren, and perhaps the greatest, Kelly Slater and Andy Irons. Just a few pairings that defined their eras and changed surfing forever.
Sally Fitzgibbons got the edge over Stephanie Gilmore in their Semifinal heat, heading to the Finals with Tyler Wright.
As the Championship Tour shifts to Torquay, Victoria, for the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, another great surfing rivalry is heating back up. Fitzgibbons and Gilmore are now tied atop the Jeep Leaderboard at No. 1 heading into the waiting period for Stop No. 3. (The forecast is looking promising, with a good chance for a start early in the event window.)
Steph ends a two-year winless streak with her sixth Roxy Pro title.
The two have had many memorable showdowns over the years, including title battles back in 2010 and 2012. And while both slipped down the rankings last year this year things appear to be changing. Both have surged to the top of the Jeep Leaderboard with huge wins, and their old rivalry has been reignited in the process. Steph and Sally clashed in back-to-back Semifinals at the Roxy and Drug Aware Pros. In both cases, the winner went on to win the event.
Steph Gilmore burying rail on her way to the Semifinal at Margaret River. - WSL / Ed Sloane
Their relationship, however, isn't antagonistic. You wouldn't catch either Sally or Steph saying, "If we were twins in the belly of our Mama, I'd reach over and strangle [her]," as Frazier once said of Ali. They are both known as two of the kindest and smiliest people on the planet. Yet, while they have a deep friendship based on mutual respect, the competition in the water is as fierce as any seen in the history of surfing.
Gilmore has been all smiles since reclaiming the yellow Jeep Leader jersey. - WSL / Matt Dunbar
Sally Fitz, for example, sure hasn't forgotten that she finished runner-up to Steph for a World Titles both in 2010 and in 2012. Her one and only goal since coming on tour in 2009 has been to be World Champion. More often than not, it's been Gilmore who has thwarted her efforts.
Sally was electric in her Quarterfinal win over Carissa Moore. - WSL / Ed Sloane
The veterans, however, have come out supercharged in 2017, both determined to enjoy their surfing more and get back on top. Gilmore jumped to No. 1 spot after her huge Roxy Pro win, but Sally fired back at Margaret River.
Sally Fitzgibbons vs. Stephanie Gilmore
The two old rivals are now tied atop the Jeep Leaderboard, sharing the No. 1 position for at least a few days as Bells gets underway.
You can watch live when the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach begins April 12-24, 2017.
Fitzgibbons and Gilmore Rekindle Their Rivalry
Ben Mondy
Sport is defined by its greatest rivalries: Federer and Nadal, Navratilova and Evert, Nicklaus and Palmer, Ali and Frazier. These are just some of the great rivals that have transcended the sports of tennis, golf and boxing.
Surfing is no different. Throughout its history there have been epic duels between the greats that have helped pushed the sport into new territory -- Mark Richards and Cheyne Horan, Pam Burridge and Frieda Zamba, Tom Carroll and Tom Curren, and perhaps the greatest, Kelly Slater and Andy Irons. Just a few pairings that defined their eras and changed surfing forever.
As the Championship Tour shifts to Torquay, Victoria, for the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, another great surfing rivalry is heating back up. Fitzgibbons and Gilmore are now tied atop the Jeep Leaderboard at No. 1 heading into the waiting period for Stop No. 3. (The forecast is looking promising, with a good chance for a start early in the event window.)
The two have had many memorable showdowns over the years, including title battles back in 2010 and 2012. And while both slipped down the rankings last year this year things appear to be changing. Both have surged to the top of the Jeep Leaderboard with huge wins, and their old rivalry has been reignited in the process. Steph and Sally clashed in back-to-back Semifinals at the Roxy and Drug Aware Pros. In both cases, the winner went on to win the event.
Their relationship, however, isn't antagonistic. You wouldn't catch either Sally or Steph saying, "If we were twins in the belly of our Mama, I'd reach over and strangle [her]," as Frazier once said of Ali. They are both known as two of the kindest and smiliest people on the planet. Yet, while they have a deep friendship based on mutual respect, the competition in the water is as fierce as any seen in the history of surfing.
Sally Fitz, for example, sure hasn't forgotten that she finished runner-up to Steph for a World Titles both in 2010 and in 2012. Her one and only goal since coming on tour in 2009 has been to be World Champion. More often than not, it's been Gilmore who has thwarted her efforts.
The veterans, however, have come out supercharged in 2017, both determined to enjoy their surfing more and get back on top. Gilmore jumped to No. 1 spot after her huge Roxy Pro win, but Sally fired back at Margaret River.
The two old rivals are now tied atop the Jeep Leaderboard, sharing the No. 1 position for at least a few days as Bells gets underway.
You can watch live when the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach begins April 12-24, 2017.
Stephanie Gilmore
Featuring Yago Dora, Filipe Toledo, Caio Ibelli, Ian Gouveia, Kelly Slater, John John Florence, Gabriel Medina, Julian Wilson, Adriano de
Featuring Yago Dora, Griffin Colapinto, Leonardo Fioravanti, Jordy Smith, Filipe Toledo, John John Florence, Kanoa Igarashi, Italo
Paul Fisher, Kelly Slater, Stephanie Gilmore, Mick Fanning, Chelsea Hedges, Joel Parkinson, Mark Occhilupo, and Dean Morrison takeover
Icons of surfing take the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro by storm, celebrating Kelly Slater in a World Champ's Super Heat. A lineup that compiled
Featuring Gabriel Medina, John John Florence, Liam O'Brien, Yago Dora, Italo Ferreira, Carissa Moore, Griffin Colapinto, Tatiana
Drug Aware Margaret River Pro - Women's
Here are five must-see heats from an epic year at the wild and rugged Margaret River, in Western Australia.
The WSL filmmakers go behind the scenes to capture all of the action from the 2017 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro.
Ela impediu o bicampeonato da Tyler Wright e passou a dividir a primeira posição no Jeep WSL Ranking com Stephanie Gilmore.
With her Margaret River win the Australian just proved the merits of her new fitness program.
Australian surfer Sally Fitzgibbon's wins the 2017 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro.