Fitzgibbons to amp up surf title challenge

SYDNEY (AAP) - Australian surfer Sally Fitzgibbons is ready to take command of the ASP world title race with victory at the Beachley Classic starting on Tuesday on Sydney's northern beaches.
Fitzgibbons is fresh from breakthrough back-to-back event wins at Bells Beach and Taranaki, and trails title leader Carissa Moore from Hawaii by just 500 points.
Twenty-year-old Fitzgibbons is in red hot form, however Moore holds the edge in the race after taking out the season-opening event on the Gold Coast, and finishing runner-up to the Australian in the latest two rounds.
Four-time defending ASP champion and reigning Beachley winner Stephanie Gilmore is struggling in fifth place after a 5th, 3rd and ninth to start the year.
She faces an uphill task to defend her crown, but swell conditions at Dee Why are predicted to be significant at Dee Why for the opening days, which would suit the champion 23-year-old.
In a shortened women's season consisting of just seven events, Fitzgibbons can build an imposing lead if she wins.
However, the NSW south coast product says she can't afford to get too far ahead of herself, with talent like Gilmore still capable of making a run.
"Any results that are up to the finals are keepers and you're just looking for the strong results leading into the back half of the year," Fitzgibbons told AAP.
"But it's happened before that a frontrunner has been further ahead than myself and they've been chased down, so it's all about remaining consistent.
"Carissa's definitely in form, she's an awesome surfer and competitor and she's hungry for wins. It's a pretty elite field this year ... the top five are always in the mix for the finals."
Fitzgibbons will take on Sydney rookie Laura Enever and Nikki Van Dijk in the opening round of competition on Tuesday.
With her confidence and enjoyment at an all-time high, Fitzgibbons says seasons of frustrating second-placings have shaped her into better surfer.
"It was like I had to make those mistakes and learn from them in order to build up the armour to understand what it takes to step up and take the win," said Fitzgibbons, who expressed disappointment at a shortage of sponsorship dollars forcing the tour to be shortened from 10 events to seven.
Gilmore says she's still not 100 per cent after suffering a traumatic attack at her home on the Gold Coast over summer, when her wrist was fractured.
The Tweed Heads local recognises she's facing the toughest fight of her stellar career.
"Not to take anything away from the past few years, but this year is definitely the first year that it's been a challenge for me," said the three-time Beachley winner.
"Every heat is tough. Everyone is so good and they all want to win."