In February, 2012, Fitzgibbons won the first ever Australian Open after defeating 2004 World Champion Sofia Mulanovich, this meant Sally will be the first person to ever hold the US and Australian Opens of Surf titles at the one time. On 23 February 2012, at the 2012 ASP World Surfing Awards Sally won three awards. First was for being runner up in the 2011 World Tour. Second was for Sally Fitzgibbons and Carissa Moore for winning the Women's ASP Heat of the Year as voted on by their fellow competitors. Lastly Fitzgibbons won the ASP Surfersâ Surfer award which is a peer award.