Fitzgibbons rides the wave back to Tour

Four-time world surfing champion Sally Fitzgibbons will return to the 2026 Championship Tour, requalifying after completing her Round of 32 heat at the Lexus Pipe Challenger.

Fitzgibbons’ bid to rejoin the Championship Tour gained momentum when she finished second to Portugal’s Francisca Veselko at the Newcastle SURFEST which kicked off the 2025/2026 Challenger Series season.

The 35-year-old, a New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holder, then put herself right back into the frame with an equal third-place at Ballito, South Africa.

“Thank you to those who support and believe in the long game… I feel and ride your endless waves of support,” Fitzgibbons posted on social media.

The final stop of the 2025/2026 Challenger Series is the Newcastle SURFEST in Newcastle from March 19-15 March.

Meanwhile, reigning world champion Molly Picklum, finished in third place at Pipeline, Hawaii.

The NSWIS athlete gave it her all in unruly conditions, but fell short behind local Gabriela Bryan

Daniel Lane, NSWIS