Latest news with #Picklum
The Advertiser
19 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Picklum gets golden chance as top surfers tumble
Australian surfers are off to a patchy start at the Rio Pro, however Molly Picklum has the chance to take over the rankings lead after some major upsets in the women's field. 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. Australian surfers are off to a patchy start at the Rio Pro, however Molly Picklum has the chance to take over the rankings lead after some major upsets in the women's field. 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. Australian surfers are off to a patchy start at the Rio Pro, however Molly Picklum has the chance to take over the rankings lead after some major upsets in the women's field. 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. Australian surfers are off to a patchy start at the Rio Pro, however Molly Picklum has the chance to take over the rankings lead after some major upsets in the women's field. 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.
Perth Now
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Picklum gets golden chance as top surfers tumble
Australian surfers are off to a patchy start at the Rio Pro, however Molly Picklum has the chance to take over the rankings lead after some major upsets in the women's field. 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.
The Advertiser
15-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Near-perfect Picklum pipped but pleased at Trestles
A near-perfect ride helped Molly Picklum shake a monkey from her back at the Trestles Pro, where a runner-up finish firmed her top-three standing. The Australian's 9.6-point wave - the highest women's score all season - in a semi-final defeat of defending world champion and local hope Caity Simmers ensured she finally got the better of the Californian in their seventh encounter. But Hawaiian Bettylou Sakura Johnson (17 points) was too good in the final, edging Picklum (14.3) in San Clemente. The Australian's result firmed her hold of third place, well clear of fourth with three regular season events remaining before the top five battle for the World Surf League title in Fiji in August. "I'm really happy with second place," Picklum, hunting her third top-five finish in just her fourth season, said. "This year, more than any other year, I've been pushed inside and outside of the water. "Caity obviously pushed me, and I'm so happy to have gotten one over her. "She beats me every time, and then Bettylou, I got her a few times early on in our career, and now she's starting to get me. "She inspires me in the water, and it's just incredible. Everyone's just so capable of beating everyone, and I'm so happy to be here." Joel Vaughan's giant-killing run ended in the quarter-finals while Jack Robinson (16.10) was pipped by Kanoa Igarashi (17.10) in the semi-finals. The Japanese surfer (16.07) was then edged in a high-scoring final by Brazil's Yago Dora (17.90). Ethan Ewing also made the quarter-finals, he and Robinson sixth and seventh respectively in a stacked men's ladder pushing for a Fiji berth in the final year of the top-five format. The tour now moves to Brazil's Saquarema break in Rio de Janeiro, with the window opening on June 21. A near-perfect ride helped Molly Picklum shake a monkey from her back at the Trestles Pro, where a runner-up finish firmed her top-three standing. The Australian's 9.6-point wave - the highest women's score all season - in a semi-final defeat of defending world champion and local hope Caity Simmers ensured she finally got the better of the Californian in their seventh encounter. But Hawaiian Bettylou Sakura Johnson (17 points) was too good in the final, edging Picklum (14.3) in San Clemente. The Australian's result firmed her hold of third place, well clear of fourth with three regular season events remaining before the top five battle for the World Surf League title in Fiji in August. "I'm really happy with second place," Picklum, hunting her third top-five finish in just her fourth season, said. "This year, more than any other year, I've been pushed inside and outside of the water. "Caity obviously pushed me, and I'm so happy to have gotten one over her. "She beats me every time, and then Bettylou, I got her a few times early on in our career, and now she's starting to get me. "She inspires me in the water, and it's just incredible. Everyone's just so capable of beating everyone, and I'm so happy to be here." Joel Vaughan's giant-killing run ended in the quarter-finals while Jack Robinson (16.10) was pipped by Kanoa Igarashi (17.10) in the semi-finals. The Japanese surfer (16.07) was then edged in a high-scoring final by Brazil's Yago Dora (17.90). Ethan Ewing also made the quarter-finals, he and Robinson sixth and seventh respectively in a stacked men's ladder pushing for a Fiji berth in the final year of the top-five format. The tour now moves to Brazil's Saquarema break in Rio de Janeiro, with the window opening on June 21. A near-perfect ride helped Molly Picklum shake a monkey from her back at the Trestles Pro, where a runner-up finish firmed her top-three standing. The Australian's 9.6-point wave - the highest women's score all season - in a semi-final defeat of defending world champion and local hope Caity Simmers ensured she finally got the better of the Californian in their seventh encounter. But Hawaiian Bettylou Sakura Johnson (17 points) was too good in the final, edging Picklum (14.3) in San Clemente. The Australian's result firmed her hold of third place, well clear of fourth with three regular season events remaining before the top five battle for the World Surf League title in Fiji in August. "I'm really happy with second place," Picklum, hunting her third top-five finish in just her fourth season, said. "This year, more than any other year, I've been pushed inside and outside of the water. "Caity obviously pushed me, and I'm so happy to have gotten one over her. "She beats me every time, and then Bettylou, I got her a few times early on in our career, and now she's starting to get me. "She inspires me in the water, and it's just incredible. Everyone's just so capable of beating everyone, and I'm so happy to be here." Joel Vaughan's giant-killing run ended in the quarter-finals while Jack Robinson (16.10) was pipped by Kanoa Igarashi (17.10) in the semi-finals. The Japanese surfer (16.07) was then edged in a high-scoring final by Brazil's Yago Dora (17.90). Ethan Ewing also made the quarter-finals, he and Robinson sixth and seventh respectively in a stacked men's ladder pushing for a Fiji berth in the final year of the top-five format. The tour now moves to Brazil's Saquarema break in Rio de Janeiro, with the window opening on June 21. A near-perfect ride helped Molly Picklum shake a monkey from her back at the Trestles Pro, where a runner-up finish firmed her top-three standing. The Australian's 9.6-point wave - the highest women's score all season - in a semi-final defeat of defending world champion and local hope Caity Simmers ensured she finally got the better of the Californian in their seventh encounter. But Hawaiian Bettylou Sakura Johnson (17 points) was too good in the final, edging Picklum (14.3) in San Clemente. The Australian's result firmed her hold of third place, well clear of fourth with three regular season events remaining before the top five battle for the World Surf League title in Fiji in August. "I'm really happy with second place," Picklum, hunting her third top-five finish in just her fourth season, said. "This year, more than any other year, I've been pushed inside and outside of the water. "Caity obviously pushed me, and I'm so happy to have gotten one over her. "She beats me every time, and then Bettylou, I got her a few times early on in our career, and now she's starting to get me. "She inspires me in the water, and it's just incredible. Everyone's just so capable of beating everyone, and I'm so happy to be here." Joel Vaughan's giant-killing run ended in the quarter-finals while Jack Robinson (16.10) was pipped by Kanoa Igarashi (17.10) in the semi-finals. The Japanese surfer (16.07) was then edged in a high-scoring final by Brazil's Yago Dora (17.90). Ethan Ewing also made the quarter-finals, he and Robinson sixth and seventh respectively in a stacked men's ladder pushing for a Fiji berth in the final year of the top-five format. The tour now moves to Brazil's Saquarema break in Rio de Janeiro, with the window opening on June 21.
Perth Now
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Near-perfect Picklum pipped but pleased at Trestles
A near-perfect ride helped Molly Picklum shake a monkey from her back at the Trestles Pro, where a runner-up finish firmed her top-three standing. The Australian's 9.6-point wave - the highest women's score all season - in a semi-final defeat of defending world champion and local hope Caity Simmers ensured she finally got the better of the Californian in their seventh encounter. But Hawaiian Bettylou Sakura Johnson (17 points) was too good in the final, edging Picklum (14.3) in San Clemente. The Australian's result firmed her hold of third place, well clear of fourth with three regular season events remaining before the top five battle for the World Surf League title in Fiji in August. "I'm really happy with second place," Picklum, hunting her third top-five finish in just her fourth season, said. "This year, more than any other year, I've been pushed inside and outside of the water. "Caity obviously pushed me, and I'm so happy to have gotten one over her. "She beats me every time, and then Bettylou, I got her a few times early on in our career, and now she's starting to get me. "She inspires me in the water, and it's just incredible. Everyone's just so capable of beating everyone, and I'm so happy to be here." Joel Vaughan's giant-killing run ended in the quarter-finals while Jack Robinson (16.10) was pipped by Kanoa Igarashi (17.10) in the semi-finals. The Japanese surfer (16.07) was then edged in a high-scoring final by Brazil's Yago Dora (17.90). Ethan Ewing also made the quarter-finals, he and Robinson sixth and seventh respectively in a stacked men's ladder pushing for a Fiji berth in the final year of the top-five format. The tour now moves to Brazil's Saquarema break in Rio de Janeiro, with the window opening on June 21.
West Australian
12-06-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Air time as Aussie rookie surfer stuns Brazilian great
Australian rookie Joel Vaughan has shocked top-ranked Brazilian Italo Ferreira to book a place in the quarter-finals of the Trestles Pro in California. Competing in his first season on the World Surf League's Championship Tour, the 21-year-old took down the world No.2 in a high-scoring round-of-16 heat on Wednesday (local time). Sydneysider Vaughan, ranked No.19 heading into the contest, produced his best performance of the season at Lower Trestles to overhaul Ferreira, winning 16.87 to 16.20. His top wave on the famous San Clemente break earned a score of 8.57, rewarded for an off-axis air reverse after showing his skill and variety on the build-up. Vaughan then came through with the winning wave, launching into a straight air with 90 seconds left on the clock. He will next face hometown hero Griffin Colapinto, who beat another Brazilian in Felipe Toledo. "I know Italo's such a great competitor, and you can never really tell what he's going to do, so I thought I might as well try to go big and risk it, and yeah, a great performance," Vaughan said. "I'd fallen on a straight air a few waves before it and I was a bit bummed, so I just wanted to just make it. "I kind of missed the grab and bobbled a little bit, but then made it and got around and got another turn." Fellow Australian Jack Robinson meets another local hope in Cole Houshmand after the American eliminated rankings leader Jordy Smith from South Africa. World No.7 Robinson was in impressive form in his victory over Italian Leonardo Fioravanti, scoring a total of 17.07, including a huge score of 8.87. Sixth-ranked Ethan Ewing eliminated Jake Marshall, with the Queenslander next taking on Brazilian world No.3 Yago Dora in the quarters. In the women's field, Molly Picklum is the only Australian remaining, booking a place in the semi-finals, which are set down for Saturday (local time), with the competition on hold until then. World No.3 Picklum ousted veteran Lakey Peterson 12.50 to 11.47 and has been drawn against America's second-ranked Caitlin Simmers, the reigning world champion, in the final four. The other semi-final line-up is still to be decided. "I felt like I was watching it all day and getting so inspired by the boys and they were ripping. I definitely felt we'd get more waves, but I know at Lowers it can get slow," Picklum said. "I'd be stoked to beat Caity. It's really fun when it's her and I, and it's always more fun when there's waves. "I know what she's capable of and know what I'm capable of, and I really think I have a chance against her." Australian two-time world champion and world No.6 Tyler Wright and fourth-ranked Isabella Nichols both bowed out in the elimination round.
