Picklum gets golden chance as top surfers tumble
World No.3 Picklum, who finished runner-up at the World Surf League's last tour stop in California, advanced directly through to the quarter-finals with an opening heat win at Brazil's Praia de Itauna break on Sunday.
Picklum had the highest scoring ride of the day in the women's field, picking up a 7.83 in her two-wave tally of 13.50 to down 2023 world champion Caroline Marks (9.60) and local hope Luana Silva (6.30).
But fellow Australians Tyler Wright and fifth-ranked Isabella Nichols went into sudden death with only two-time world champion Wright surviving after eliminating Hawaiian Bettylou Sakura Johnson, who won at Lower Trestles.
In a huge upset Peru's Arena Rodriguez, in her Championship Tour debut, ousted Hawaii's rankings leader Gabriela Bryan while Silva also took down American world No.2 Caitlin Simmers in the elimination round.
In the live rankings Picklum has moved up to second and is just 505 points behind Ryan.
The Australian is also the only woman of the five to not win an event so far this season but has a golden chance in Brazil, next taking on Rodriguez.
"I woke up this morning feeling a little foggy, so I was just really happy to make my waves and work with the swell here," Picklum said.
"Brazil's definitely one I want to win - I love the energy here and I have so many good friends here, and it's definitely something I would love to win.
"This year, I've made a couple of finals, but unfortunately, haven't got the win.
"I just keep knocking on the door, you know, just keep showing up, and let's see if I can try and crack it and take home the trophy."
On the men's side of the draw Sydney rookie Joel Vaughan, competing on his first year on tour, scored 13.33 for a rousing win over Japan's third-ranked Kanoa Igarashi (6.34) and Brazilan Alejo Muniz (4.97).
Vaughan previously earned a perfect 10-point ride during the Challenger Series event in Brazil.
"It feels awesome to be back," the 21-year-old said.
"I've tried to just keep it pretty simple and work on myself and try to get some good waves and yeah, stoked to make that one."
But Australia's Olympic duo, silver medal-winning Jack Robinson and Ethan Ewing must contest the elimination round.
Robinson will take on Indonesian star Rio Waida while Ewing has drawn exciting young Frenchman Marco Mignot.
With two more competitions before the Finals-bound top five head to Cloudbreak in Fiji to decide the world champion, Ewing is ranked six and Robinson seven.
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