It looks like it will take more than a few stitches to keep Australian surfer Sally Fitzgibbons from chasing back-to-back wins on the World Surf League tour.
The joint world No.1 was forced to retire from her round-three heat at iconic Bells Beach on Wednesday after a fin chop left her with a deep cut high on her left foot.
Organisers of the world famous event called a lay day on Thursday, allowing Fitzgibbons precious time to recover ahead of a round-four sudden-death heat against Hawaii's Tatiana Weston-Webb.
On Thursday the three-time WSL runner-up gave every indication she would take on Weston-Webb.
"Credit to the medical team on hand for taking great care of me. I'll try and get back on my board in the coming days," Fitzgibbons said.
"I'm still resting at the moment and will know more when I see the doctor."
The 26-year-old from Gerroa on the NSW South Coast claimed the first Margaret River Pro title of her career last week, giving her a share of the world No.1 ranking alongside compatriot Stephanie Gilmore after two rounds.
Fitzgibbons is known on tour for her resilience.
Two years ago she won the Fiji Pro despite contesting the final with a perforated eardrum and would love to add a third Bells crown after wins in 2011 and 2012.
She admitted to being shaken when she suffered the injury.
"It was a shock to the system to cop a solid fin straight into my foot and see all the blood coming out," she said.
"It was unexpected for it to happen like that at the end of the heat.
"The swell was a bit random at the end of the day and I found myself coming unstuck on a set looking for a big score."
Six-time world champion Gilmore also faces a do-or-die round-four duel with Brazil's Silvana Lima.
Conditions will be assessed at dawn on Friday, with first-round heats scheduled in the men's competition.
Australia's three-time world champion Mick Fanning is up first against compatriot Matt Wilkinson and Brazil's Jadson Andre.
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