Why Molly Picklum's first win in 18 months sets up a golden world title shot
An 'emotional' Molly Picklum has claimed her first Championship Tour victory in almost 18 months to shoot to world No.1 and set up the best title tilt of her career.
Australia's highest-ranked surfer was in rare spirits after a breakthrough win in Brazil's Rio Pro overnight, screaming with abandon and accidentally smacking a friend in the face as she was chaired up the beach at Saquarema.
Molly Picklum celebrates her breakthrough win in Brazil. Credit: World Surf League
Picklum has been the most consistent surfer of 2025 with two runners-up finishes and another three third places from eight events, but hadn't claimed a tour victory since last February.
The 22-year-old Central Coast native has regularly claimed the world No.1 leader's jersey early on in recent seasons before tapering off come finals time, but her Rio Pro victory over Brazil's Luana Silva heralds a reversal in Picklum's usual tour narrative.
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Perth Now
17 hours ago
- Perth Now
Aussie goes wild after becoming new world No.1
Molly Picklum celebrates WSL title in Brazil. Australian surfer Molly Picklum has shown why she's top of the women's World Surfing League standings, claiming her first win on tour this season in Saquarema, Brazil. After beating Canadian Erin Brooks 13.06 to 7.60 earlier on Sunday (Monday AEST) in the second semi-final, Picklum took on local Luana Silva in the final of the Vivo Rio Pro, stop 9 of the competition. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Molly Picklum celebrates her title in Brazil. Picklum opened with a 6.83 and followed it up with the highest single wave score of the event for the women, an 8.17. Her final total of 15.00 was also the highest of the event for the women at Praia de Itauna. Silva's best two-wave score totalled 9.23, well short of being able to stop Picklum winning the event for the third time. Picklum was chaired off after emerging from the water, letting out a huge yell in excitement of the achievement. 'She's (Silva) been surfing so well. I knew she's such a competitor and she's such a fighter,' said the 22-year-old from Gosford. 'I was pretty scared all the way till the end even though I had a couple of good scores. But yeah, she's capable of great things and I'm so happy to get that one over her.' Aussie Molly Picklum enjoys the spoils of her triumph in Rio de Janeiro. Credit: AAP The WSL Tour's most consistent women's surfer in 2025 — reaching the quarter-finals in eight out of nine events, including three Finals - Picklum enjoys top spot with just two regular-season events remaining on the calendar. 'I've worked so hard this year to really put my best foot forward,' she added. 'I've dreamt so much of winning here in Rio, too. I'm a real energetic person, I love the Brazilian energy, and to get a win this year means so much for sure. 'Thank you so much and shout out to everyone back at home. I know you're all probably up watching and I felt all the love.' In the men's draw, Aussie Ethan Ewing was beaten in the semis by American Griffin Colapinto, 14.84 to 14.20, after earlier downing defending champion and home hope Italo Ferreira (14.43-13.30) in the quarters. Colapinto was then out-gunned 16.90 to 14.40 by compatriot Cole Houshmand in the decider, who went two-for-two in CT Finals, backing up his 2024 breakthrough win at Bells Beach with another victory.
The Advertiser
19 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'Scared' Picklum leads the way after victory in Brazil
Australian surfer Molly Picklum has shown why she's top of the women's World Surfing League standings, claiming her first win on tour this season in Saquarema, Brazil. After beating Canadian Erin Brooks 13.06 to 7.60 earlier on Sunday (Monday AEST) in the second semi-final, Picklum took on local Luana Silva in the final of the Vivo Rio Pro, stop 9 of the competition. Picklum opened with a 6.83 and followed it up with the highest single wave score of the event for the women, an 8.17. Her final total of 15.00 was also the highest of the event for the women at Praia de Itauna. Silva's best two-wave score totalled 9.23, well short of being able to stop Picklum winning for the third time. "She's (Silva) been surfing so well. I knew she's such a competitor and she's such a fighter," said the 22-year-old from Gosford. "I was pretty scared all the way till the end even though I had a couple of good scores. But yeah, she's capable of great things and I'm so happy to get that one over her." The WSL Tour's most consistent women's surfer in 2025 - reaching the quarter-finals in eight out of nine events, including three Finals - Picklum enjoys top spot with just two regular-season events remaining on the calendar. "I've worked so hard this year to really put my best foot forward," she added. "I've dreamt so much of winning here in Rio, too. I'm a real energetic person, I love the Brazilian energy, and to get a win this year means so much for sure. "Thank you so much and shout out to everyone back at home. I know you're all probably up watching and I felt all the love." In the men's draw, Aussie Ethan Ewing was beaten in the semis by American Griffin Colapinto, 14.84 to 14.20, after earlier downing defending champion and home hope Italo Ferreira (14.43-13.30) in the quarters. Colapinto was then out-gunned 16.90 to 14.40 by compatriot Cole Houshmand in the decider, who went two-for-two in CT Finals, backing up his 2024 breakthrough win at Bells Beach with another victory. Australian surfer Molly Picklum has shown why she's top of the women's World Surfing League standings, claiming her first win on tour this season in Saquarema, Brazil. After beating Canadian Erin Brooks 13.06 to 7.60 earlier on Sunday (Monday AEST) in the second semi-final, Picklum took on local Luana Silva in the final of the Vivo Rio Pro, stop 9 of the competition. Picklum opened with a 6.83 and followed it up with the highest single wave score of the event for the women, an 8.17. Her final total of 15.00 was also the highest of the event for the women at Praia de Itauna. Silva's best two-wave score totalled 9.23, well short of being able to stop Picklum winning for the third time. "She's (Silva) been surfing so well. I knew she's such a competitor and she's such a fighter," said the 22-year-old from Gosford. "I was pretty scared all the way till the end even though I had a couple of good scores. But yeah, she's capable of great things and I'm so happy to get that one over her." The WSL Tour's most consistent women's surfer in 2025 - reaching the quarter-finals in eight out of nine events, including three Finals - Picklum enjoys top spot with just two regular-season events remaining on the calendar. "I've worked so hard this year to really put my best foot forward," she added. "I've dreamt so much of winning here in Rio, too. I'm a real energetic person, I love the Brazilian energy, and to get a win this year means so much for sure. "Thank you so much and shout out to everyone back at home. I know you're all probably up watching and I felt all the love." In the men's draw, Aussie Ethan Ewing was beaten in the semis by American Griffin Colapinto, 14.84 to 14.20, after earlier downing defending champion and home hope Italo Ferreira (14.43-13.30) in the quarters. Colapinto was then out-gunned 16.90 to 14.40 by compatriot Cole Houshmand in the decider, who went two-for-two in CT Finals, backing up his 2024 breakthrough win at Bells Beach with another victory. Australian surfer Molly Picklum has shown why she's top of the women's World Surfing League standings, claiming her first win on tour this season in Saquarema, Brazil. After beating Canadian Erin Brooks 13.06 to 7.60 earlier on Sunday (Monday AEST) in the second semi-final, Picklum took on local Luana Silva in the final of the Vivo Rio Pro, stop 9 of the competition. Picklum opened with a 6.83 and followed it up with the highest single wave score of the event for the women, an 8.17. Her final total of 15.00 was also the highest of the event for the women at Praia de Itauna. Silva's best two-wave score totalled 9.23, well short of being able to stop Picklum winning for the third time. "She's (Silva) been surfing so well. I knew she's such a competitor and she's such a fighter," said the 22-year-old from Gosford. "I was pretty scared all the way till the end even though I had a couple of good scores. But yeah, she's capable of great things and I'm so happy to get that one over her." The WSL Tour's most consistent women's surfer in 2025 - reaching the quarter-finals in eight out of nine events, including three Finals - Picklum enjoys top spot with just two regular-season events remaining on the calendar. "I've worked so hard this year to really put my best foot forward," she added. "I've dreamt so much of winning here in Rio, too. I'm a real energetic person, I love the Brazilian energy, and to get a win this year means so much for sure. "Thank you so much and shout out to everyone back at home. I know you're all probably up watching and I felt all the love." In the men's draw, Aussie Ethan Ewing was beaten in the semis by American Griffin Colapinto, 14.84 to 14.20, after earlier downing defending champion and home hope Italo Ferreira (14.43-13.30) in the quarters. Colapinto was then out-gunned 16.90 to 14.40 by compatriot Cole Houshmand in the decider, who went two-for-two in CT Finals, backing up his 2024 breakthrough win at Bells Beach with another victory. Australian surfer Molly Picklum has shown why she's top of the women's World Surfing League standings, claiming her first win on tour this season in Saquarema, Brazil. After beating Canadian Erin Brooks 13.06 to 7.60 earlier on Sunday (Monday AEST) in the second semi-final, Picklum took on local Luana Silva in the final of the Vivo Rio Pro, stop 9 of the competition. Picklum opened with a 6.83 and followed it up with the highest single wave score of the event for the women, an 8.17. Her final total of 15.00 was also the highest of the event for the women at Praia de Itauna. Silva's best two-wave score totalled 9.23, well short of being able to stop Picklum winning for the third time. "She's (Silva) been surfing so well. I knew she's such a competitor and she's such a fighter," said the 22-year-old from Gosford. "I was pretty scared all the way till the end even though I had a couple of good scores. But yeah, she's capable of great things and I'm so happy to get that one over her." The WSL Tour's most consistent women's surfer in 2025 - reaching the quarter-finals in eight out of nine events, including three Finals - Picklum enjoys top spot with just two regular-season events remaining on the calendar. "I've worked so hard this year to really put my best foot forward," she added. "I've dreamt so much of winning here in Rio, too. I'm a real energetic person, I love the Brazilian energy, and to get a win this year means so much for sure. "Thank you so much and shout out to everyone back at home. I know you're all probably up watching and I felt all the love." In the men's draw, Aussie Ethan Ewing was beaten in the semis by American Griffin Colapinto, 14.84 to 14.20, after earlier downing defending champion and home hope Italo Ferreira (14.43-13.30) in the quarters. Colapinto was then out-gunned 16.90 to 14.40 by compatriot Cole Houshmand in the decider, who went two-for-two in CT Finals, backing up his 2024 breakthrough win at Bells Beach with another victory.
7NEWS
19 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Aussie Molly Picklum goes wild after becoming new world No.1 with WSL title win in Brazil
Australian surfer Molly Picklum has shown why she's top of the women's World Surfing League standings, claiming her first win on tour this season in Saquarema, Brazil. After beating Canadian Erin Brooks 13.06 to 7.60 earlier on Sunday (Monday AEST) in the second semi-final, Picklum took on local Luana Silva in the final of the Vivo Rio Pro, stop 9 of the competition. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Molly Picklum celebrates her title in Brazil. Picklum opened with a 6.83 and followed it up with the highest single wave score of the event for the women, an 8.17. Her final total of 15.00 was also the highest of the event for the women at Praia de Itauna. Silva's best two-wave score totalled 9.23, well short of being able to stop Picklum winning for the third time. Picklum was chaired off after emerging from the water, letting out a huge yell in excitement of the achievement. 'She's (Silva) been surfing so well. I knew she's such a competitor and she's such a fighter,' said the 22-year-old from Gosford. 'I was pretty scared all the way till the end even though I had a couple of good scores. But yeah, she's capable of great things and I'm so happy to get that one over her.' The WSL Tour's most consistent women's surfer in 2025 — reaching the quarter-finals in eight out of nine events, including three Finals - Picklum enjoys top spot with just two regular-season events remaining on the calendar. 'I've worked so hard this year to really put my best foot forward,' she added. 'I've dreamt so much of winning here in Rio, too. I'm a real energetic person, I love the Brazilian energy, and to get a win this year means so much for sure. 'Thank you so much and shout out to everyone back at home. I know you're all probably up watching and I felt all the love.' In the men's draw, Aussie Ethan Ewing was beaten in the semis by American Griffin Colapinto, 14.84 to 14.20, after earlier downing defending champion and home hope Italo Ferreira (14.43-13.30) in the quarters. Colapinto was then out-gunned 16.90 to 14.40 by compatriot Cole Houshmand in the decider, who went two-for-two in CT Finals, backing up his 2024 breakthrough win at Bells Beach with another victory.
