Latest news with #Picklum
Perth Now
a day ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Good golly: Molly one win from title after Tahiti test
Molly Picklum is one win away from a maiden world surfing title after the Australian's fearless Teahupo'o masterclass at the Tahiti Pro. The 22-year-old booked her spot in the Tahiti final by winning three heats on Saturday (AEST) as the French Polynesia break lived up to the "psycho mode" tag adopted by organisers in the lead-up. The Australian dug deep with a late, brave 9.77-point tube to beat local hope and defending champion Vahine Fierro in the quarter-finals. Her semi-final against Caroline Marks began with both surfers hammered by a series of huge sets. Marks opted to take the ski back to the break, but the Australian paddled through it, earning her priority, which she used to poll an early eight-point ride that proved the difference in the final heat of a massive day. "I saw Caroline bail (off her board) and thought I'd try the duck dive, then I got smoked. She lost her board and I wore the next two sets on my head," Picklum said. "So I kept paddling. It ended up being a great decision ... that great wave came and (I'm) so happy I converted it." Her progression ensured the yellow jersey-holder would retain top spot ahead of Fiji's WSL Finals campaign later this month. In a recent tweak to the top-five format, the No.1 seed will only need to win the first heat in their best-of-three duel to be crowned champion. The controversial format will be canned in favour of the traditional overall points system next season. In a dramatic, high-stakes day, fellow Australian Isabella Nichols was knocked from fourth to sixth and will miss the finals. Nichols was beaten by Fierro in a narrow elimination heat loss that allowed Hawaiian Bettylou Sakura Johnson and American Marks, who won gold at the same break a year ago, to jump her. Tyler Wright, who began the event in seventh, also had her push ended by defending world champion Caitlin Simmers in the last eight. Picklum, in just her fourth Championship Tour campaign, has started finals day from fifth spot in her past two seasons. She'll meet American Simmers in the Tahiti final before turning her attention to the Cloudland finale from August 27. "She's so gnarly out here (Simmers); hopefully I can get another one up on her," Picklum said. "It's crazy ... it's started to sink in. When you're so close to achieving your dream it all gets really scary and like, 'wow this is crazy'. "But I'm so happy that I dream so big and that it scares me and makes me focus and all those beautiful things. "I'd love to win here and figure out Fiji after." Ethan Ewing and Jack Robinson, both awaiting Tahiti quarter-finals, remain in contention to represent Australia when the men's top five battle in Fiji. Stephanie Gilmore won Australia's most-recent world title, her eighth, in 2022.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
'Psycho mode' surf awaits world No.1 and 12-year-old
Australian world No.1 surfer Molly Picklum, 12-year-old Kelia Gallina and "psycho mode" Teahupo'o are about to make history together. Gallina will become the World Surf League's youngest competitor when she takes on Picklum and American Lakey Peterson in the opening round of the Tahiti Pro. One of world surfing's most iconic and feared breaks has been at full throttle ahead of the event, with organisers trumpeting "Teahupo'o goes psycho mode" in their publicity. Ahead of the event starting on Friday (AEST), some waves were too big to paddle and competitors needed towing out to the break. But this is Gallina's backyard. She won the local trials event to qualify and will be a significant threat to Picklum, Peterson and whoever else goes up against her. "It's crazy to think what I would have been doing at 12 versus what Kelia is doing," 22-year-old Picklum told AAP. "I was getting a surfboard off the sand, a soft top, probably nine-foot, and probably just barely paddling out the back - and she's out at 'Chopes', giving it a go." Picklum spent time with Gallina when Teahupo'o hosted last year's Olympics event and has no doubt that youngster will be ready for her WSL debut. "Her Dad is really calculated, he takes her out in conditions where she can thrive, rather than get really scared," Picklum said. "The forecast is looking a little tricky, but ultimately I believe she's capable - she has all the technique. "It's cool, it creates stories that people can chew on. It brings more attention and makes it more exciting for the viewers to watch - a 12-year-old trying to take on No.1. "But for me, not much thought goes into it - I know the surfing she can do and I know the surfing I can do. Ultimately, she's a really cool girl and I love surfing against people like that." Setting aside the narrative around Gallina, this is a massive event for Picklum. She has a narrow lead in the world rankings over Hawaiian Gabriela Bryan, who beat the Australian in the final of the most recent round at South Africa. In a quirk of how the WSL works, that could be the only time this season that Picklum and Bryan go head-to-head in a heat. This is the last event before the final from August 27 in Fiji. Picklum and Bryan have qualified, but their rankings will determine seedings in the title decider. "I made a really crucial mistake in the end there and everything else was right there," Picklum said of the loss to Bryan. "It's exciting for me - I just like putting myself in a place where they're going to have to surf out of their skin to beat me." Australian world No.4 Isabella Nichols is yet to qualify for the final, while compatriot two-time world champion Tyler Wright is currently outside the top-five cutoff at No.7. Brazilian Yago Dora is the only competitor among the men to have qualified so far, with Australian Ethan Ewing at No.5 and compatriot Jack Robinson ranked eighth. "Right now, it's double-XL big wave days out there. There are some really, really big rides happening - probably the waves of people's lives unfolding in our preparation window," Picklum said of the conditions ahead of competition. "It's a lot to digest, but also so cool to watch."
Straits Times
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Japan's O'Leary beats world number one Dora to take J-Bay win
Japan's Connor O'Leary won his first world championship tour title at the Corona Open J-Bay in South Africa on Friday. O'Leary had the event's only 10-point ride in the semi-finals as he knocked out three-time J-Bay winner Filipe Toledo, before beating another Brazilian in world number one Yago Dora in the final. The Australian-born O'Leary only rode three waves but racked up scores of 8.17 and 7.50 in his second and third runs, giving him a two-wave total of 15.67 of a possible 20, well clear of Dora's 14.23. "All the stars aligned for this one, so I'm stoked. It felt good to have so many people cheering for me, and then to perform for them," said O'Leary, a goofy-footer, or one who stands with his right foot forward. "I intended to do some of the best backhand surfing you've ever seen, and to compete with a fellow goofy in the final, hopefully it inspires other goofy-foot surfers that they can compete against the best in perfect right-hand point breaks." World number two Gabriela Bryan won the women's event with a hard-fought victory over Australian world number one Molly Picklum, totalling 13.60 with efforts of 6.67 and 6.93 to outdo Picklum's opening 7.67. Picklum finished with a total of 13.34. "I came here early, putting in a lot of time here, and it paid off. I'm so stoked. It's been a dream of mine to win here at J-Bay. It's an iconic wave and one of my favourites in the world," Hawaii's Bryan said. The tour next heads to Tahiti. The top five men and women after the 11-stop tour will then compete for the world title in a one-day, winner-takes-all Finals Day in Fiji. Picklum, Byran and Caity Simmers (U.S.) have qualified for the women's event, while only Dora has sealed his spot in the men's competition. REUTERS
The Star
19-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Surfing-Japan's O'Leary beats world number one Dora to take J-Bay win
Paris 2024 Olympics - Surfing - Men's Round 3 - Heat 8 - Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia - July 29, 2024. Connor O'Leary of Japan rides a wave. Ed Sloane/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo (Reuters) -Japan's Connor O'Leary won his first world championship tour title at the Corona Open J-Bay in South Africa on Friday. O'Leary had the event's only 10-point ride in the semi-finals as he knocked out three-time J-Bay winner Filipe Toledo, before beating another Brazilian in world number one Yago Dora in the final. The Australian-born O'Leary only rode three waves but racked up scores of 8.17 and 7.50 in his second and third runs, giving him a two-wave total of 15.67 of a possible 20, well clear of Dora's 14.23. "All the stars aligned for this one, so I'm stoked. It felt good to have so many people cheering for me, and then to perform for them," said O'Leary, a goofy-footer, or one who stands with his right foot forward. "I intended to do some of the best backhand surfing you've ever seen, and to compete with a fellow goofy in the final, hopefully it inspires other goofy-foot surfers that they can compete against the best in perfect right-hand point breaks." World number two Gabriela Bryan won the women's event with a hard-fought victory over Australian world number one Molly Picklum, totalling 13.60 with efforts of 6.67 and 6.93 to outdo Picklum's opening 7.67. Picklum finished with a total of 13.34. "I came here early, putting in a lot of time here, and it paid off. I'm so stoked. It's been a dream of mine to win here at J-Bay. It's an iconic wave and one of my favourites in the world," Hawaii's Bryan said. The tour next heads to Tahiti. The top five men and women after the 11-stop tour will then compete for the world title in a one-day, winner-takes-all Finals Day in Fiji. Picklum, Byran and Caity Simmers (U.S.) have qualified for the women's event, while only Dora has sealed his spot in the men's competition. (Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
The Advertiser
18-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Hesitant Picklum misses chance of World Surf League win
Australian star Molly Picklum has missed out agonisingly on another World Surf League triumph in South Africa, frustrated with herself for not riding one last wave that might have sealed a last-gasp final win over her American rival Gabriela Bryan. In the closest of showdowns, Bryan took a narrow lead in their duel at Jeffreys Bay on South Africa's Eastern Cape on Friday with just 90 seconds left, scoring 6.93 when needing a 6.68. It left Australia's WSL leader Picklum little time for a response as she looked to earn a modest score of 5.93 to seal back-to-back victories in the 'J-Bay' event following her triumph in Saquarema, Brazil, last month. But Picklum. the 22-year-old from Gosford, hesitated when looking for the ideal wave to carry her to victory, failing to grab a couple of possible chances to ride in the final minute in a bid for glory. When her time ran out to respond with what would have been her seventh effort of the final, the Australian ended up the picture of frustration as she splashed the waters in disgust at having lost the final by a mere 0.26 points, 13.60 to 13.34. Picklum's consistency means she still leads the WSL standings on 61,145 points, ahead of Hawaiian Bryan, who was lifting her third title of the season to put her on 58,595 points. The tour moves on to Tahiti next month, with the finals to be staged in Fiji between August 27 and September 4. Australian star Molly Picklum has missed out agonisingly on another World Surf League triumph in South Africa, frustrated with herself for not riding one last wave that might have sealed a last-gasp final win over her American rival Gabriela Bryan. In the closest of showdowns, Bryan took a narrow lead in their duel at Jeffreys Bay on South Africa's Eastern Cape on Friday with just 90 seconds left, scoring 6.93 when needing a 6.68. It left Australia's WSL leader Picklum little time for a response as she looked to earn a modest score of 5.93 to seal back-to-back victories in the 'J-Bay' event following her triumph in Saquarema, Brazil, last month. But Picklum. the 22-year-old from Gosford, hesitated when looking for the ideal wave to carry her to victory, failing to grab a couple of possible chances to ride in the final minute in a bid for glory. When her time ran out to respond with what would have been her seventh effort of the final, the Australian ended up the picture of frustration as she splashed the waters in disgust at having lost the final by a mere 0.26 points, 13.60 to 13.34. Picklum's consistency means she still leads the WSL standings on 61,145 points, ahead of Hawaiian Bryan, who was lifting her third title of the season to put her on 58,595 points. The tour moves on to Tahiti next month, with the finals to be staged in Fiji between August 27 and September 4. Australian star Molly Picklum has missed out agonisingly on another World Surf League triumph in South Africa, frustrated with herself for not riding one last wave that might have sealed a last-gasp final win over her American rival Gabriela Bryan. In the closest of showdowns, Bryan took a narrow lead in their duel at Jeffreys Bay on South Africa's Eastern Cape on Friday with just 90 seconds left, scoring 6.93 when needing a 6.68. It left Australia's WSL leader Picklum little time for a response as she looked to earn a modest score of 5.93 to seal back-to-back victories in the 'J-Bay' event following her triumph in Saquarema, Brazil, last month. But Picklum. the 22-year-old from Gosford, hesitated when looking for the ideal wave to carry her to victory, failing to grab a couple of possible chances to ride in the final minute in a bid for glory. When her time ran out to respond with what would have been her seventh effort of the final, the Australian ended up the picture of frustration as she splashed the waters in disgust at having lost the final by a mere 0.26 points, 13.60 to 13.34. Picklum's consistency means she still leads the WSL standings on 61,145 points, ahead of Hawaiian Bryan, who was lifting her third title of the season to put her on 58,595 points. The tour moves on to Tahiti next month, with the finals to be staged in Fiji between August 27 and September 4. Australian star Molly Picklum has missed out agonisingly on another World Surf League triumph in South Africa, frustrated with herself for not riding one last wave that might have sealed a last-gasp final win over her American rival Gabriela Bryan. In the closest of showdowns, Bryan took a narrow lead in their duel at Jeffreys Bay on South Africa's Eastern Cape on Friday with just 90 seconds left, scoring 6.93 when needing a 6.68. It left Australia's WSL leader Picklum little time for a response as she looked to earn a modest score of 5.93 to seal back-to-back victories in the 'J-Bay' event following her triumph in Saquarema, Brazil, last month. But Picklum. the 22-year-old from Gosford, hesitated when looking for the ideal wave to carry her to victory, failing to grab a couple of possible chances to ride in the final minute in a bid for glory. When her time ran out to respond with what would have been her seventh effort of the final, the Australian ended up the picture of frustration as she splashed the waters in disgust at having lost the final by a mere 0.26 points, 13.60 to 13.34. Picklum's consistency means she still leads the WSL standings on 61,145 points, ahead of Hawaiian Bryan, who was lifting her third title of the season to put her on 58,595 points. The tour moves on to Tahiti next month, with the finals to be staged in Fiji between August 27 and September 4.
