Molly Picklum wins Vivo Rio Pro, Approaches World Championship

Molly Picklum celebrates victory at the Vivo Rio Pro. Picture: Thiago Diz.

Australia’s new world No.1 Molly Picklum has solidified her position at the top and put her world surf championship rivals on notice with a dominant display in Brazil to take her first title for 2025.

Picklum was the only woman ranked in the top five to make it past the elimination rounds at the Vivo Rio Pro and showed her class, taking down local hope Luana Silva as the 22-year-old Australian begins to peak at the right end of the season.

It was Picklum’s third Championship Tour win and she has become the pacesetter with just two events remaining before the final one-day shootout for the world title.

Picklum has finished in the top three in six of nine events this season and has a 5000-point lead over world No.2 Gabriela Bryan in the rankings.