Molly Picklum Wins Rip Curl Pro Portugal
PRAIA DE SUPERTUBOS, Peniche, Portugal
Friday, October 23, 2026
Molly Picklum - absolutely STOKED. Photo: Manel Geada/WSL
Molly Picklum (AUS) and Griffin Colapinto (USA) won the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) Stop No. 10, the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented by Corona Cero in all-time, pumping Supertubos for an epic Finals Day. It was a barrel fest of note with six-to-eight foot sets charging towards Peniche’s golden stretch of sand, lined by thousands of surf fans watching the world’s best either get swallowed or spat out by the Portuguese Pipeline. World Champions Caitlin Simmers (USA) and Gabriel Medina (BRA) earned crucial runner-up finishes, gaining momentum in the postseason before heading to the next stop at the Philippines Pro.
Molly Picklum Wins Iconic Clash of World Champs, Takes Over Yellow Jersey
Marking her third CT final this year, the reigning World Champion Molly Picklum (Gosford - Central Coast) finally earned her first win of the season, adding the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal trophy to her cabinet. Picklum’s wishlist for 2026 included a win at Supertubos, and the Australian could happily tick this one off the list after she took control in a world-class matchup with Caitlin Simmers (USA). To make the victory even sweeter, Picklum has moved to the top of the rankings and will wear the Yellow Jersey going into the penultimate event of the CT.
The win places Molly in a position to retain her world surfing title.
"Right now I'm on top of the world … literally!" roared the 23-year-old Australian after her victory over America's former world champion Caitlin Simmers in Friday's final sent her back to the top of the World Surf League standings.
Molly's triumph at one of surfing's most famous venues gave her the maximum 10,000-point haul to ensure she overhauled Hawaiian Carissa Moore at the top.
The win came at the perfect post-season moment with just two events left.
The Gosford surfer has enjoyed a shiny nickname since she referred to herself as like "a glow worm in a cave" riding inside a deep barrel wave.
“The glow worm absolutely did it,” said Picklum.
“Thanks to all my friends and family who stayed up for this one! I love that I get to win in front of them.
''So many people support me, and I love giving back to them, but right now I’m on top of the world. It was a dream of mine to win here. Portugal is like the 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. I’m really happy to hit my stride at the right time. We work so hard and not many people get to win, but I’m so stoked to get my win this year.”
In a clash of World Champions, Picklum struck first with a quick barrel to set the tone, but Simmers was right behind her and stalled for a cover-up and a better score. Molly patiently waited for the right wave, and she gave herself some breathing room with a solid 7.83 (out of a possible 10). Simmers improved her score with a 6.67, but she needed more and the ocean didn’t provide another opportunity to strike, and Picklum sealed the victory.
Molly visits the Supertubos Green Room. Photo: Damien Pollenot/WSL
Griffin Colapinto Makes History With Third Portugal Title
California’s Griffin Colapinto (USA) made history after becoming the first person to win three MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal titles, and he did it in a Final for the ages against three-time World Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA). The Portuguese Pipeline lived up to its name as Colapinto and Medina traded excellent rides, pushing each other to go deeper and more critical with every barrel.
“That’s the dream, how good were the waves out there,” said Colapinto.
“The battle with Gabriel was unreal. Going back and forth like that, I was thinking back to like the Andy and Kelly days, growing up and watching that generation, I was hoping I could do that one day and it felt like it was that kind of heat. Portugal has a big place in my heart. It was a dream to back up my brother who won in Ericeira. When Crosby won that, I had a realisation that I need to lock in and he really inspired me. The universe was on my side this week, it felt like things went my way but it’s also the hard work that goes in behind the scenes, and everything I do everyday. I’m just so grateful.”
Griffin Colapinto gets barrelled. Photo: Damien Pollenot/WSL
Medina got an early lead in the Final before Colapinto went excellent to post an 8.17. However, Medina responded in a big way with back-to-back excellent scores, an 8.57 and 8.20, to put Colapinto in a tight spot with a huge requirement. The Atlantic gifted Colapinto a golden opportunity, Colapinto disappeared in a Supertubos cavern before reemerging to the cheers of the crowds and a 9.43 to close out the heat and secure the win.
Former event victors and World Champions, Gabriel Medina (BRA) and Caitlin Simmers (USA) gained momentum in the postseason with their runner-up finishes in Portugal. Medina dispatched rival Italo Ferreira (BRA) in the Semifinals before coming up against an unstoppable Colapinto in the Final.
“It’s always fun to compete here,” said Medina. “It’s such a fun wave. To have a Final with Griffin, he’s an amazing surfer and it’s been great to watch him improve. He inspires me to go harder, and I’m just here to make them work! I’m happy with my performance, hopefully I have a shot at Pipe.”
Gabriel Medina flying high. Photo: Damien Pollenot/WSL
Simmers, who won in her rookie year in Peniche, was back on the podium for the first time this season. The 2024 World Champion had an epic battle with Picklum, and stocked up on joy riding heaving barrels against a good friend in one of her favourite places in the world.
“I’m so grateful to have a job that takes me here,” said Simmers. “I really mean it when I say Portugal is one of my favourite places on the planet. I really do love surfing, and I’m trying to find the joy in it this year, and it feels like there’s so much more behind every heat win.”
The next stop will be the Philippines Pro, which runs from October 31 to November 10, 2026.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
Pictured: Griffin Colapinto (USA) and Molly Picklum (AUS), the winners of the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented by Corona Cero. Credit: WSL / Damien Poullenot