Molly Picklum Claims Portugal Pro Victory and Claims Top Ranking in Peniche
Australia’s reigning world champion Molly Picklum won the Portugal Pro in heavy barrels on Friday, capturing her first victory of the year and climbing to the top of the world tour rankings, The Guardian reported. With only two stops remaining on the professional surfing tour, Picklum secured the decisive win at the powerful beach break of Supertubos in Peniche.
The 23-year-old surfer faced California’s 2024 world champion Caitlin Simmers in the final heat. Picklum fell behind during the early exchanges before locking into a deep, overhead backhand tube that scored 7.83 out of 10, seizing the lead. Simmers answered with several clean barrels of her own, finishing with a two-wave total of 12.84 compared to Picklum’s winning 13.33.
Portugal is like the cross between the Brazilian energy and Pipeline.
Those are two of my favourite things.
I’m really happy to hit my stride at the right time.
Griffin Colapinto Secures Third Peniche Title Against Gabriel Medina
In the men’s division, California’s Griffin Colapinto earned his third event victory at Supertubos by defeating Brazil’s three-time world champion Gabriel Medina in a come-from-behind battle. Colapinto, 28, previously secured event wins at the Portuguese seaside town in 2022, 2024, and now 2026, according to The Guardian.
Colapinto opened the final aggressively by hustling Medina for the first wave and executing a deep forehand barrel that scored an 8.17. Medina answered by extracting himself from a closing backhand tube and subsequently took the lead with a second long ride. Needing a high score in the dying minutes, Colapinto vanished behind the curtain of a heavy left-hander, emerging near the shore for a 9.43 out of 10 that secured the win and lifted him to third in the tour rankings.
That’s the dream.
How good were the waves out there?
The battle with Gabriel was unreal.
Portugal has a big place in my heart.
World Tour Standings and Next Stops Before Pipeline Finale
Following the conclusion of the Portugal Pro, the professional surfing tour moves to a newly added stop in the Philippines. That event precedes the season-ending tournament at the Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii, where 1.5 times points will be on offer to determine the ultimate world champions.
Griffin Colapinto beat Gabriel Medina 17.60 to 16.77 in a heat that was intense from start to finish, and Molly Picklum beat Caitlin Simmers 13.33 to 12.84, at Supertubos. https://t.co/XApdLLQVkf
- Molly Picklum: Jumped to the number one position in the women’s rankings following her Portugal Pro victory.
- Griffin Colapinto: Climbed to third in the men’s rankings after capturing his third career win at Supertubos.
- Tour Schedule: The circuit travels next to the Philippines before concluding the year at Pipeline in December.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Portugal Pro
Where did the Portugal Pro take place?
The event was held at Supertubos, a powerful and punchy beach break located near the seaside town of Peniche in Portugal.
How many times has Griffin Colapinto won in Peniche?
Colapinto has won the event three times, having previously claimed victories in 2022, 2024, and 2026.
What are the final two stops of the surfing world tour?
After the Portugal Pro, the tour heads to a new stop in the Philippines before finishing the season at Pipeline in Hawaii.