Fitzgibbons, the 2007 ISA World Junior champion, again showed that she will be a major force in women's surfing by winning her third round heat to progress to round four in the open womens section while Claire Bevilacqua could only register a third place in her third round heat to dispatch her to the repechage rounds.

Tathra product Kai Otton, Heath Joske and Matt Bemrose continue to lead the Aussie assault as they charge toward the finals in the open men's division.

Otton and Joske recorded a 1-2 finish in their fourth round heat to progress to the fifth round.

Bemrose maintained his good form with a second in his fourth round heat to join Otton and Joske in the fifth.

Longboarder Harley Ingleby surfed strongly in his second round heat to progress to the next round.

In the bodyboards, only Lily Pollard is still alive in the championships when Ben Gohl and Dave Crowley were knocked out of the event after failing to progress through the repechage.

Day six of competition today for the Aussies will see only Dayyan Neve, Bevilacqua and Pollard in competition, contesting the repechage rounds to stay alive in the championships.

Australia has competed in every WSG since their inception, winning eight of the 13 WSG since 1982.

Australia are the defending champions and a win will give them a three-peat of victories.