Reigning world champion Molly Picklum is back on top of the surfing world. The 23-year-old Australian won the Portugal Pro at Supertubos on Friday, October 23, 2026 — her first win of the season — and moved from fourth to first in the World Surf League rankings.
Picklum beat American Caitlin Simmers, the 2024 world champion, in the final, 13.33 to 12.84 on two-wave totals. A deep backhand tube scored 7.83 out of 10 and gave Picklum the lead after she had trailed early.
The win lifted her to 48,950 points, ahead of Carissa Moore on 47,065, with two events remaining. It was also a back-to-back Portugal title for Picklum, who won her first world title in Fiji last year.
Two events remain in the season: the Philippines Pro at Cloud 9, followed by the season finale at Pipeline, Hawaii, in December.
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Bhudev Bhagaliya is an experienced and senior journalist who has carved a distinct niche for himself in the world of Hindi journalism through his profound understanding and precise writing style. With over two decades of experience in the field of journalism, he has held key responsibilities at Dainik Hindustan for 12 years and at Amar Ujala for one year. Currently, he serves as the Content Editor for the Jagrook Youth News newspaper and portal, where he plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and credibility of the news content. Bhudev Bhagaliya consistently writes about issues that help raise awareness within society and among the younger generation.