Latest news with #TrestlesPro
The South African
16-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Jordy Smith retains no.1 position in world surf rankings
No. 1 position in the world surf rankings is secure for Jordy Smith for now, even after an early exit at the Trestles Pro in San Clemente, California. The 38-year-old veteran is the oldest surfer on tour and retains a slender lead over his competitors after last week's eighth stop of the 2025 WSL tour. South Africa's Jordy Smith was resplendent in yellow at Lower Trestles but was unable to advance beyond the Round of 16. After the mid-season cut – which eliminates the bottom 32 competitors on the world surf rankings – tour events take on a different, punchier format … Unfortunately, a wave-starved heat meant the big man couldn't open up on the waves like he's done in El Salvador and Western Australia. Image: File/Fotor As such, first-round heats after the mid-season cut are a Round of 32 match-up between three surfers. With the bottom 32 gone, it really is strength versus strength from the first wave. Win this and you advance straight to the Round of 16. Jordy Smith managed to do so with a buzzer beater decided by the judges after the surfers had left the water. However, in the next round, Smith's points accumulation towards the world surf rankings would stall. He came up against highly fancied local surfer Cole Houshmand, who had plenty of support at his home break. The goofy footer's left broke cleaner than Smith's rights and California won narrowly. It's the type of match-up that can undo anyone at any time on the tour. We're sure the whole of South Africa would love to see another sporting World Champion added to the list. Siya Kolisi meets Smith in Cape Town. Image: Tyron Bradley Red Bull Content Pool Thankfully, the next-best placed surfer on the world surf rankings – Brazil's Italo Ferreira – also suffered a Round of 16 defeat. Which means the Durbanite retains the no. 1 world surf rankings yellow jersey for now. However, Brazil's Yago Dora – who won the Trestles event outright – and Japan's Kanoa Igarashi have closed the gap to Smith. RANK SURFER POINTS 1. Jordy Smith (RSA) 39 450 2. Yago Dora (BRA) 38 885 3. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 36 390 4. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 34 610 5. Barron Mamiya (HAW) 31 470 Two talented Australians, Ethan Ewing and Jack Robinson, are just outside of the top five. With Brazil's Felipe Toledo, American Griffin Colapinto and Italian Leo Fioravanti still in the running for a final five birth. They say it's harder to surf in the leader's yellow jersey because you have a target on your back. Image: WSL website Things couldn't be tighter on the world surf rankings with three events left before the WSL Finals in Fiji in August. The finals format sees the top five competitors on the world surf rankings battling it out in man-on-man heats. The higher Jordy Smith can finish in the top five rankings the better, to have a higher seeding in the finals. Be sure to catch Jordy Smith at the remaining events of the 2025 tour, with Brazil starting this weekend: June 21-29 – Vivo Rio Pro (BRA) July 11-20 – J-Bay Open (RSA) August 7-16 – Tahiti Pro (TAH) August 27-September 4 – WSL Finals Fiji (FIJ) Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
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.
The Guardian
15-06-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Australia's Molly Picklum scores near-perfect wave but falls short in Trestles Pro final
A near-perfect ride helped Molly Picklum shake a monkey from her back at the Trestles Pro in California, 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 her semi-final defeat of the defending world champion 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) at Lower Trestles. 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,' said Picklum, who is hunting her third top-five finish in just her fourth season. 'This year, more than any other year, I've been pushed inside and outside of the water. Most powerful turn all event? 🔨Molly Picklum gets her first win over Caity and advances to the Final ✅📺 @Lexus #TrestlesPro is LIVE | @outerknown '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 21 June.
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.
The Advertiser
12-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
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. 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. 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. 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.
