A dream win at Supertubos and a return to World No. 1.
Molly Picklum has claimed victory at the 2026 MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal, taking down fellow World Champion Caitlin Simmers at pumping six-to-eight-foot Supertubos.
The victory marks Molly’s first Championship Tour win of the season and moves the reigning World Champion back to the top of the rankings, putting her in the yellow jersey with two events remaining.
“It was a dream of mine to win here at Supertubos,” Molly said. “Portugal is like a cross between the Brazilian energy and Pipeline, those are two of my favourite things. I’m so grateful to win here. Dreams do come true.”
On her road to victory, Picklum defeated Rip Curl teammate Erin Brooks in the Quarterfinals, ending her historic run of three consecutive CT wins. Despite the earlier exit, Erin still leaves Portugal within striking distance of the World Title at World No. 4.
A Semifinal win over Tour veteran Lakey Peterson then secured Picklum’s place in her third CT Final of the year, setting up a showdown with 2024 World Champion and former Portugal winner Caitlin Simmers.
Molly opened with a quick tube ride before Caitie answered with a deeper cover-up to move ahead. Staying patient, Molly found the wave she needed, threading a solid barrel for a 7.83 to take control of the heat.
Caitie kept the pressure on with a 6.67, but another opportunity never arrived, leaving Molly to claim her first win of the season at a crucial moment in her World Title defence.
“I’m really happy to hit my stride at the right time,” she said. “We work so hard and not many people get to win, but I’m so stoked to get my win this year.”
In the men’s event, Griffin Colapinto defeated Gabriel Medina to become the first surfer to claim three Rip Curl Pro Portugal titles.
The Championship Tour now heads to the Philippines Pro, running from October 31 to November 10, before ultimately heading to the North Shore of Oahu for the final showdown at Pipeline.
Molly is no stranger to making history at Pipe, having scored the first women’s perfect 10 at the iconic wave in 2024. As the World Title race enters its final stretch, could it also be where she secures back-to-back World Titles?
Congratulations, Molly! We’ll be cheering you on all the way.
