A near perfect ride allowed New South Wales Institute of Sport scholarship athlete Molly Picklum to score her first-ever victory over defending world champion, the USA’s Caity Simmers.

The semi final of the Trestles Pro in California was the seventh meeting between the pair, and a sweet 9.6 wave guided the Aussie to the final against Hawaiian Bettylou Sakura Johnson.

Johnson won that duel, 17 to 14.3, but Picklum’s performance at Lower Trestles secured her hold on third place on the tour with three regular season events remaining before the top-five battle for the World Surf League title in Fiji in August.

“I’m really happy with second place,” Picklum, who is hunting her third top-five finish in just her fourth season, told the media.

“This year, more than any other year, I’ve been pushed inside and outside of the water.”

“Caity obviously pushed me, and I’m so happy to have gotten one over her.

“She beats me every time, and then Bettylou, I got her a few times early on in our career, and now she’s starting to get me.

“She inspires me in the water, and it’s just incredible. Everyone’s just so capable of beating everyone, and I’m so happy to be here.”

Daniel Lane, NSWIS

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