Molly PIcklum has defended her title at Sunset and will wear the yellow leader jersey heading to Portugal for the next stop of the Championship Tour.
Picklum defeated hometown star Bettylou Sakura Johnson to collect back-to-back Sunset crowns and goes to the top of the world rankings after also making the final in the nearby Pipe Pro last week.
There has been a monumental shift in women’s professional surfing over the course of the season’s first two events, with the Top 17 taking on serious conditions at Pipe and Sunset and some of the youngest competitors showing up with massive performances and commitment to raise the bar.
Picklum was an integral part of the charge in making history this month as she collected huge scores for her relentless approach to hitting the biggest sections of the waves.
Picklum told the WSL: “What a moment! Defending a title is so hard in our sport because the ocean is in charge,” Picklum said, “The ocean played its part for me and I’m really, really happy it did that. Every event feels different, so I’m just taking it for what it is and trying to find the little fun moments in between it all. I definitely wasn’t as confident in this event but I always kept belief and I think that’s one of my strengths.”
In what was a double celebration for the Aussies at Sunset, Jack Robinson claimed his sixth CT win. After an upset loss in the Round of 32 at Pipe, the Australian bounced back in the best way with total domination all week, an incredible display of his signature carves, and the ability to find the deepest, cleanest barrels at Sunset.
“It was a crazy last few months at home, I had a baby and everything before coming here and it’s all new and just adapting,” said Robinson. “I’m just enjoying it so much today. I know I didn’t start good at Pipe but it didn’t matter, I was just trying to enjoy it so much and it’s so special. It was a cool wave, almost bending, and I’ve never been tubed twice on the inside here. And to have a Final with Kanoa (Igarashi), we’ve grown up together, we’ve been doing this for a long time. It’s a cool history and a lot more to come.”
Hurley Pro Sunset Beach Women’s Final Results:
1 – Molly Picklum (AUS) 11.83
2 – Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 8.67
Hurley Pro Sunset Beach Men’s Final Results:
1 – Jack Robinson (AUS) 18.04
2 – Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 15.16
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