Sally Fitzgibbons, a two-time Bells champion, defeated world No. 1 Caity Simmers at the Bells Beach Pro. This win is significant because Fitzgibbons had been struggling this season and faced elimination from the WSL's mid-season cut.
The WSL's mid-season cut reduces the number of competitors, and Fitzgibbons has faced this challenge for the past three seasons. Her underwhelming performance at the start of 2025 left her ranked 15th, making the win against Simmers crucial for her continued participation.
Fitzgibbons expressed strong emotions after the win, reflecting on the challenges she faced, including extensive travel and intense pressure to perform within short heats. She described the emotional relief after this significant win.