Brilliant Gerroa surfer Sally Fitzgibbons won the open women's division at the ISA World Surfing Games at Costa de Caparica, Portugal, on Sunday as the Australian team struck gold for the third successive year.
Fitzgibbons, 17, made it into the history books by becoming a gold medallist in both the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship and the ISA World Surfing Games in the same year.
Fitzgibbons started slowly in her final heat against Marie Dejean of France, Camila Cassia of Brazil, and Laureen Sweeney of the United States.
She waited 12 minutes for a good wave. When it came, she scored an 8.90 then an 8.20 soon afterwards to take the lead and become the ISA world champion and gold medallist.
Dejean placed second, Cassia third and Sweeney fourth.
"I was lucky to get some waves," Fitzgibbons said.
"Conditions were really difficult and all the girls were surfing really well.
"This is an amazing contest with an amazing atmosphere.
"I am definitely the happiest woman on earth. I just couldn't imagine a better year."
This was Australia's fourth win out of seven editions in the history of the prestigious event.
It was a sunny, beautiful day at Marcelino Beach, with waves reaching one metre in good conditions.
Fitzgibbons won gold in the open women, Dayyan Neve scored bronze, Heath Joske silver and Tathra product Kai Otton copper (fourth) in open men, Harley Ingleby took silver in longboard, and Lilly Pollard copper in bodyboard women. All were members of the Aussie team that made it into finals.
They added points toward the final team standings that gave Australia a convincing win ahead of the US.
The final team standings were: Australia 17,238, USA 14,284, Brazil 12,610 and France 11,819.
"I think the secret and one of our team goals is all about having fun while we're here, to be laughing all the time," Surfing Australia CEO, Mark Lane said of Australia's great record.
"And it's also in the Australian culture that we're never giving up. We're always encouraging people to never give up and to keep surfing well.
"It's a great feeling to win again. It's really a hard week to watch and go through every heat.
"You've got to deal with disappointments. You feel everything and when you come out of this and win, it just feels great."