Picklum in top spot after another World Surf League win
Molly Picklum has booked a semi-final spot in the Rio Pro and taken over the world No.1 ranking for the first time this World Surf League season.
The Australian surfer edged closer to her first win of the season with a quarter-final victory over Peruvian wildcard Arena Rodriguez, who had previously upset top-ranked Hawaiian Gabriela Bryan.
In tricky conditions with competition resuming after a three-day break, Picklum's two best rides scored 10.50 to best rookie Rodriguez, who tallied 7.17.
Picklum's final-four opponent in Brazil will be either veteran American Lakey Peterson or Canadian teen Erin Brooks, with their quarter-final still to be completed.
Australia's two-time world champion Tyler Wright (8.74) was eliminated by in-form Luana Silva (12.80), with the Brazilian now taking on 2023 world champion Caroline Marks in the other semi-final.
With five semi-final appearances and two runner-up finishes, Picklum's surge to the top of the rankings is reward for a consistent season, and the NSW Olympian was excited to wear the yellow jersey at the next tour stop at South Africa's J-Bay.
"That's the best news ever," Picklum said.
"I got the yellow jersey early on in the year for the past few years ... I'm so happy, that's sick, especially towards the end of the year, and it's obviously a great opportunity for me.
"I obviously heard all of the talk from the girls that I'm right at the top but getting knocked out ... I felt all that for sure, but ultimately I was just using it for good and to fire me up."
Ethan Ewing is the sole Australian remaining in the men's draw but faces a tough quarter-final clash with local favourite and Olympic gold medallist Italo Ferreira.
Ewing moved to No.5 on the live world rankings after scoring 12.63 to edge rising Australian youngster Joel Vaughan (11.14).
"That was a grindy heat, the waves out there were so hard to surf, so it's good to get through those ones," said the Queenslander, who had to change his board mid-heat after creasing it.
Fellow Aussie Jack Robinson (10.50) bowed out in the round of 16, falling to American Jack Marshall (13.00).
Ferreira had the Brazilian crowd in raptures when he left the surf mid-heat to high-five fans on the beach after his lofty backside full rotation earnt a 9.33, which was the best score of the event.
The 2019 world champion defeated American Crosby Colapinto, while Griffin Colapinto next meets South African rankings leader Jordy Smith after they both posted round-of-16 victories.
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