If Sally Fitzgibbons looked distracted in 2016, it's because she was. Fitzgibbons was busy exploring a lot of options outside of her surf career while trying to stay competitive. It's a worthwhile cause, but mostly for the lessons it teaches. Sally had her worst year yet in 2016. Realizing she was spread a little thin, she zeroed in on what matters: Her health. Her loved ones. Her surfing. And it's paying off. Sally is more fit than ever (she just launched her own fitness app, too.). Her surfing is back in top form, and her fire is there, as we saw when she eliminated Carissa Moore in the Quarterfinals on Sunday. Sally will be taken more seriously this year, and for good reason.
