Tyler Wright wins Roxy Pro Gold Coast

Snapper Rocks, Queensland/Australia (Saturday, March 9, 2013) – Tenaciously talented Tyler Wright (AUS), 18, won the Roxy Pro presented by Land Rover today after snatching victory from Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 22, in the dying minute of the ASP Women’s World Championship Tour event.

The final was a down-to-the-wire finish with Wright and Fitzgibbons going head-to-head in a fiercely fought Final staged in punchy one metre (2-3ft) waves at Snapper Rocks.

Despite Fitzgibbons holding the lead for the majority of the heat, Wright secured a wave in the dying moments and tore it apart for a 9.20 out of a possible 10, taking the heat lead and the win.

The now world no.1 takes the initial lead in the hunt for the 2013 ASP Women’s World Title, but the young natural-footer admitted that she had considered giving up competition after a disappointing season last year.

Wright also acknowledged her world famous surfing family who chaired her to the podium in front of the massive Gold Coast crowd.

Fitzgibbons, 2012 ASP Women’s World Runner-Up, was one of the form surfers of the event and transferred that form into the Final. However, the young NSW, South Coast surfer permitted Wright to take the heat-winning wave from under her priority, a mistake that would cost Fitzgibbons dearly.

A disappointed Fitzgibbons said it was a tough final to lose.

Fitzgibbons then added she was happy to have retained her no.2 ranking and appear in her first ever Roxy Pro final.

Five-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore, (Aus) 25, was the favorite heading into the final day and with a near flawless form over the past week. However, the hometown natural-footer was ousted from competition this morning in her Semifinal bout against an in-form Wright

Fitzgibbons, the three-time world championship runner-up, won the second semi over former world champion Carissa Moore (Haw). Moore, 20, 2011, continued with her brand of progressive ripping at the opening event of the season, but it was not enough this morning in her Semifinal clash with Fitzgibbons.

Hawaii’s Moore said she was happy with her third place finish but disappointed not to make the final.

Moore also added that the Hawaiian girls impressed all in the season-opening event.

The sand bottom banks of South East Queensland provided the perfect playground for the opening ASP Women’s World Tour event. The top 17 female surfers set new level in the long walling waves of Rainbow Bay, blasted the Kirra Barrels and shredded the Snapper Rock point break to ramp up performance levels for 2013.