Picklum Ties Moore for No. 1 on World Rankings

8X World Champion Gilmore and 5X Champion Moore Fall in Quarterfinals

SUNSET BEACH, Oahu, Hawaii (Sunday, February 19, 2023) –  Today, Molly Picklum (AUS) and Filipe Toledo (BRA) won the )( Hurley Pro Sunset Beach, the second stop on the World Surf League (WSL) 2023 Championship Tour (CT), in six-to-eight foot waves at Sunset Beach on the North Shore of Oahu.

Despite being early in the season, today’s Hurley Pro Sunset Beach results are critical to the CT rankings, with the Mid-season Cut looming following Stop No. 5 at Margaret River, as well as provisional Olympic qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Picklum and Carissa Moore (HAW) are now tied for the top position on the world rankings, with Jack Robinson (AUS) also in first. Filipe Toledo (BRA) and Tyler Wright (AUS) are quickly trailing close behind in second and third, respectively.

Australia’s Molly Picklum claimed her first CT win, the best result of her career so far, today at the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach. The 20-year-old was chaired up the beach by two-time World Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) and Brisa Hennessy (CRC), both competitors who she eliminated en route to the Final. With her maiden CT victory, and in only her second year on the elite CT, Picklum is now tied for the No. 1 position on the world rankings with none other than five-time World Champion Carissa Moore (HAW). Picklum will now wear the yellow Leader jersey at Stop No. 3 on the CT.

“It is just a jersey color, but I’m stoked to be on the top because that’s where I want to be, it’s where I feel I believe I can be, and it’s just a jersey color for now because the endgame is Trestles,” said Picklum. “I’m so stoked to take it out and this event is so challenging. I think it’s just never losing your confidence and really believing in yourself the whole way, no matter what it looks like. The level of women’s surfing is insane. You can be on the Challenger Series one year then win a CT event, so I’m definitely proud of myself for just chipping away even though there are so many setbacks. Moments like these make it all worth it.”

Marks’ successful run to the Finals puts her back in both the World Title race and the hunt for Olympic qualification.

“It’s been such a fun week, and I’ve had such an amazing support crew and want to thank everyone,” said Marks. “My best friend came and surprised me, my brother’s here, my other friends are here, and it’s just been so fun. This time last year was way different than where I am this year, so I’m really grateful and so happy.”

The women’s Final showcased progressive surfing as two of the Tour’s younger competitors battled it out for the win. After falling on the first wave of the Final, Picklum quickly regained her composure and posted two mid-range scores by halfway through the heat. But Marks answered back, unleashing her formidable backhand attack to earn a near-excellent 7.50 and put pressure back on Picklum. Under priority, Marks utilized an opportunity to capitalize and took over the lead, forcing Picklum to need a 5.58.

In a flurry of action, Picklum earned a 5.50 and 5.40 to steal the lead from Marks at the 10-minute mark, and left Marks needing a 3.40 as time dwindled.

Newly minted World Champion Filipe Toledo (BRA) is back on top after his win at the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach. Toledo had a strong start at the first stop of the season, finishing in fifth, but his win now makes it clear that he is out to prove that he can defend his World Title in 2023. The 27-year-old now has 13 CT victories to his name and sits at World No. 2 on the rankings heading into Portugal.

“I’m grateful to be here and in the position I am,” said Toledo. “It is special to share cool moments with all these surfers. Hawaii is always one of those places where you want to get better, evolve, and win events, and this means a lot to me.”

The men’s Final witnessed a rematch of the 2022 Surf City El Salvador Pro Final and got underway with fireworks straight out of the gates. A massive exchange between Toledo and Colapinto, showed how powerful their respective forehand attacks can be. Colapinto’s astonishing effort earned a near-perfect 9.17, showing total commitment to a heavy section. Toledo posted a 7.83 for his multiple, powerful maneuvers.

The last two minutes provided a last opportunity for both surfers to showcase their power once. Toledo’s lightning-fast attack earned him a near-perfect 9.47 and pushed the requirement higher. Colapinto’s last attempt fell short, crowning Toledo the event victor.

“It means a lot, I worked super hard for this just training and surfing,” said Toledo. “Last year was fun, and I got what I wanted, which was my Title, and I learned a lot. When it comes to situations like this, I feel like I’m really well-prepared and ready for anything. Griffin Colapinto came out swinging, and I’m just thinking, ‘I’m ready, here we go.’ I knew the right wave would come, it was slow for a lot of the heat, but I could see he was tense having that 9.17. He seemed a little nervous, I don’t know if he was or not, and I stayed calmed and composed and just wait for the wave, then do what I have to do.”

“I feel great, that was a crazy heat with Filipe (Toledo), and the only heats I’ve had with him are in the Finals, so that’s been pretty cool,” said Colapinto. “That was a good little battle, and I’m super stoked. Caroline [Marks] lives in my hometown as well, so it’s a good day.”

Wright started her road to the Semifinals with a nail-biting showdown against fellow Australian Stephanie Gilmore. With five minutes left, Gilmore briefly took the lead, putting the pressure on Wright. An exciting last exchange left the two World Champions awaiting scores after the buzzer, with Wright defeating Gilmore with an excellent 8.00 (out of a possible 10) to Gilmore’s 6.50. Despite the early loss in the day, Gilmore’s 5th place finish moves her up four places on the rankings to World No. 11.

In the first upset of the day, CT newcomer Gabriela Bryan (HAW) dominated current No. 1 and five-time World Champion Carissa Moore (HAW). Bryan started the heat with a near-excellent 7.00 (out of a possible 10). She then raised the requirement on Moore by hammering several turns and scoring an excellent 8.00. Moore was unable to answer back but will keep her top spot on the rankings.

Men’s Championship Tour Rankings following Hurley Pro Sunset Beach:
1 – Jack Robinson (AUS) 16,085 points
2 – Filipe Toledo (BRA), 14,745
3 – Joao Chianca (BRA), 12,170
4 – Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA), 11,120

Hurley Pro Sunset Beach Women’s Final Results:
1 – Molly Picklum (AUS) 10.90
2 – Caroline Marks (USA) 9.90

Hurley Pro Sunset Beach Men’s Final Results:
1 – Filipe Toledo (BRA) 17.74
2 – Griffin Colapinto (USA) 16.10

Hurley Pro Sunset Beach Women’s Semifiinal Results:
HEAT 1: Molly Picklum (AUS) 12.34 DEF. Tyler Wright (AUS) 1.74
HEAT 2: Caroline Marks (USA) 13.10 DEF. Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 8.83

Hurley Pro Sunset Beach Men’s Semifiinal Results:
HEAT 1: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 17.90 DEF. Jack Robinson (AUS) 16.33
HEAT 2: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 16.33 DEF. Joao Chianca (BRA) 15.54

Hurley Pro Sunset Beach Women’s Quarterfinal Results:
HEAT 1: Molly Picklum (AUS) 8.67 DEF. Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 8.40
HEAT 2: Tyler Wright (AUS) 12.17 DEF. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 11.17
HEAT 3: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 15.00 DEF. Carissa Moore (HAW) 7.73
HEAT 4: Caroline Marks (USA) 12.50 DEF. Caitlin Simmers (USA) 12.23

Hurley Pro Sunset Beach Men’s Quarterfinal Results:
HEAT 1: Jack Robinson (AUS) 14.76 DEF. Nat Young (USA) 9.33
HEAT 2: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 13.50 DEF. Ethan Ewing (AUS) 9.16
HEAT 3: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 17.07 DEF. Caio Ibelli (BRA) 12.44
HEAT 4: Joao Chianca (BRA) 15.23 DEF. Matthew McGillivray (RSA) 13.00