Australian surfers Molly Picklum and Jack Robinson have dominated the waves at Teahupo’o to take out the Tahiti Pro titles.
Picklum out-pointed American rival Caitlin Simmers to win the women’s competition in a statement result before her Fiji world title charge.
The Australian had already secured the No 1 seeding for the World Surf League finals later this month by reaching the final in pumping Teahupo’o swell.
Conditions cleaned up and the waves grew just as Picklum hit the water on Thursday, Simmers (4.94-point total) wiping out in what would probably have been a 10-point ride as both surfers pushed the limits.
The Australian was all class though, notching three eight-point rides in the heat for her second victory and fifth top-two result this season.
Picklum (17.26) had defied a huge wipe-out to win her semi-final earlier in the event.
“It was sick,” Picklum said. “So nice to make a few waves and not get so flogged. I feel like I’ve earned my stripes in this event.
“What a special place, you just feel the energy, the dream comes alive and Fiji next.”
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With his win in Tahiti, Robinson has surged into the World Surf League’s finals at compatriot Ethan Ewing’s expense.
West Australian Robinson sat seventh and had to win the event to push inside the final five after fellow Australian and 2024 runner-up Ewing left the door ajar in a quarter-final exit.
He emphatically shot through it, Robinson backing up an 18.1-point semi-final total with 16.9 in the final that included an early 9.50-point ride.
It moved him to fourth in the standings ahead of Fiji’s top-five shootout later this month.
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“Right where we’re meant to be … I had a mission and I went for it,” Robinson said.
“Very blessed to be going to Fiji. It comes down to the last one and I’m right there again.”
Ewing, runner-up last season in an incredible return from multiple spinal fractures, would have secured his finals spot with a semi-final berth in Tahiti.
But, with Griffin Colapinto facing the same scenario, the door was emphatically shut just minutes into their heat.
The American (16.76) found 8.33 and 8.43-point rides and didn’t register another score as Ewing (14.2) scrambled fruitlessly for a reply.
Robinson then beat Colapinto brothers Crosby and Griffin to seal Ewing’s fate.
