WORLD No.2 Sally Fitzgibbons hopes the Surfest women's event can find another 11th-hour saviour - and not just so she can resume her love affair with the contest in 2015.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Surfest organisers have been unable to secure a new sponsor for the six-star qualifying series event in February after Nathan Tinkler's Hunter Sports Group withdrew following three years of support which had saved the contest from the scrap heap.
Needing about $55,000 to run a six-star event and attract the world's best female surfers, Surfest has no sponsor five months after announcing HSG's decision. Despite talking to numerous groups, organisers have failed to secure a backer and have until the Association of Surfing Professionals releases its 2015 schedule in mid-November to find one.
Fitzgibbons, the 2012 Surfest champion and 2013 runner-up, was disappointed to hear the event was in danger of extinction in a year that the world championship women's tour had added new contests and doubled the prizemoney.
"The sport is in a blossoming period and it's exciting on the world tour," Fitzgibbons said.
"It's expanding and we're getting some good events, but to have the next tier down's events falling away is disappointing - especially for me.
"I consider Surfest a home-town event, like anything in Sydney and Newcastle, and I really enjoy competing there.
"Obviously the event is pretty iconic so it's hard to let go of. I'm hoping someone out there is keen to support it."
