Fitzgibbons stars in Peru

Australian Sally Fitzgibbons was the form surfer of the day at the Movistar Classic in Peru, lighting up the sand-bottom lefthanders with some incendiary maneuvers on her backhand and scoring the highest heat total of the event.

The natural left-footer scored a 17. 85 out of a possible 20, including the event-high single-wave score of a 9.00 in her trouncing of tour veteran Brazilian Jacqueline Silva (BRA).

"I guess I have been training hard," Fitzgibbons said.

"I've just been doing my usual preparation. It is really nice to have a good heat in Round 3. Round 1 was a little bit wave-starved, but I am really looking forward to the next round and some really good waves here at Lobitos."

While certainly one of the event favorites after Saturday's performance, Fitzgibbons will have no easy road ahead of her, facing current ASP Women's World No. 2, Silvana Limaof Brazil in the quarterfinals.

"I have had similar heat draws in the last few events," Fitzgibbons said. "Up against Silvana Lima (BRA) again and that is always a tough match up, but I'll just hope that the good waves come my way."

Lima, for her part, survived the tightest heat of the day, winning a count-back Round 3 battle against replacement surfer Megan Abubo (HAW) 12.35 to 12.35.

"I couldn't believe I won that heat," Lima said. "I knew I needed the score on the last wave, and I came in thinking I had lost, but then someone on the beach told me I won. It was very hard for our heat. Not many good waves and I'm so happy to get through."

Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 21, reigning two-time ASP Women's World Champion and defending two-time event winner in Peru, led the charge for those in the hunt for the 2009 ASP Women's World Title, besting wildcard Anali Gomez (PER), 21, 15.00 to 8.75.

"We were both pretty excited out there at the start of the heat," Gilmore said. "We could see the opportunity to get barreled so we were on the hunt. Anali (Gomez) caught a great wave in front of me so that made me want to step it up."

While Gilmore maintains a narrow lead on the 2009 ASP Women's World Tour ratings, the young Australian is well aware that there are several competitors nipping at her heels.

"I'm not really thinking about the world title race, Silvana (Lima), Coco (Ho) or any of the other girls," Gilmore said. "I am just focusing on getting the waves, progressing through each heat and surfing hard at this event. This is my fourth time in Peru so I feel pretty comfortable here. The crowd is just amazing, I am pretty sure they have Sofia (Mulanovich) tattooed on them somewhere!"