Red Bull Australia

Layne Beachley didn’t mince her words when she declared that Sally Fitzgibbons would make it all the way to the top – and she wasn't far wrong.

After placing 2nd in the 2010 ASP Women's World Title Race, behind fellow Aussie surfer, Stephanie Gilmore, Sally once again stole 2nd place overall in the 2011 competition.  She claimed victory at the 2nd round of the ASP World Tour at Bell's Beach in Victoria, and again in the 3rd round at Taranaki, New Zealand. At the Commonwealth Beachley Classic in Dee Why, she secured equal third place, while at the Billabong Rio Pro, she came a close second to Carissa Moore. At the ASP 6 Star Swatch Girls Pro, Sally was once more victorious against Californian Sage Erickson in solid 4ft peaks at Les Bourdaines.

Finally, at the Nike US Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach in California, Sally carved it up to take 1st place against defending champion, Carissa Moore. The event set a new record for crowds and Sally described the win as, "The highlight of my career."

A YEAR OF VICTORY

With three junior world titles under her belt, Sally decided to “have a crack” at qualifying for the world tour in 2008. It was a year that dreams are made of as the girl from Gerroa nailed the first five events of the season, qualifying in record time.

A natural athlete who has competed in cross-country running, soccer and touch football, Sally is still coming to grips with being at the elite level of her favourite sport. “It’s still amazing to say I’m on the world tour. I’m not a spectator any more, not a wild card – it’s a really amazing feeling,” she says.

As for those declarations that she’s the next big thing, Sally says they spur her on. “It’s a great feeling to have that said about me because my dream is to make it to the top one day,” she says.

Next stop: the Australian Open in Manly, February 2012.