Life in the fast Layne

Gerroa teen sensation Sally Fitzgibbons has continued her seemingly unstoppable charge into the realm of professional surfing by beating seven time world champion Layne Beachley during her maiden ASP Women's World Tour event at Manly yesterday.

In a remarkable week for the 16 " year old, the victory came just days after she wrapped up the ASP Australasian Junior Series title for 2007 after a second place finish in the Bells Beach event.

Fitzgibbons then qualifyied for this week's world tour contest by winning the Oakley Wildcard Trials on Monday to advance straight into the main draw.

"I am just over the moon," Fitzgibbons said after her win against Beachley.

"I went out there and got those couple of rides I needed, I didn't expect to get that far ahead. I'm just super happy.

"Surfing the trials helped me to familiarise myself with the banks at Manly."

"Even though the conditions were totally different out there today, it was still similar and I was just lucky to get the waves I needed."

Scoring the highest ride of the day, Fitzgibbon's superior paddling power and deliberate tactics in the 1.5 metre swell enabled her to edge past Beachley with a 15.65 point two wave total.

Beachley was lucky to not be eliminated from her own event after finishing second in the heat and will now surf in round two of the competition tomorrow, depending on the swell.

"I've been surfing out here my whole life," Beachley said.

"That's why I am so frustrated right now because I know where to surf and which waves to catch.

"I just didn't do that today. It was a valuable lesson and I will have to make up for it during the next round."

Fitzgibbon's latest achievements cap off a remarkable year for the teenager after a win at the ISA World Junior Championships, third at the US Open WQS event and now Australasian U20 Pro Junior Champion and a victory over Beachley in her maiden world tour event.

Fitzgibbon's win means she is seeded straight through to round three of the competition where she will again face Beachley if the former world champion survives her second round heat.

The NAB Beachley Classic ASP World Tour event runs from October 9 " 14 depending on the size and quality of the swell and holds a prize money purse of US$ 100, 000.