Picklum soars as big names fall at Banzai Pipeline

Young Australian star Molly Picklum has shown why she’s a huge chance as Banzai Pipeline prepares to crown a new women’s champion at the World Surf League season-opener in Hawaii.

The 21-year-old Picklum produced the highest heat total of the day (15.50) – and the highest single-wave score of 8.17 – while easily eliminating American rookie Alyssa Spencer (6.04 total) as she progressed to the quarter-finals on Friday (Saturday AEDT).

With five-time world champion and event favourite Carissa Moore already ousted along with Australia’s two-time world champion Tyler Wright and Hawaii’s Moana Jones Wong, a new face is guaranteed to top the podium.

Molly Picklum was all smiles after posting the best scores of the day at Banzai Pipeline. (HANDOUT/WORLD SURF LEAGUE)

And Picklum, a world-title contender last year, has plenty of momentum and confidence as the last eight prepare to battle it out.

“I just feel in good energy with it – the waves just come, and I’m here ready to ride them,” she said.

“I put a lot of time out there. I’ve spent a lot of time under the water and having a look at the reef, on the reef.

“I’m just comfortable out there, and so happy and blessed that there’s waves coming to me.

“Hopefully it keeps coming.”

Picklum is the only Australian woman in the quarter-finals and she will be up against France’s Johanne Defay, who downed young Aussie India Robinson in the round of 16.

Wright and fellow Australian Sally Fitzgibbons were ousted in close round-of-16 contests by Brazilians Luana Silva and Tatiana Weston-Webb respectively, while Isabella Nichols fell to American Caitlin Simmers.

The women’s competition has now caught up to the men’s event, in which Ethan Ewing is the only Australian representative left going into the quarter-finals.

Ewing will be up against Sydneysider Connor O’Leary, who switched allegiance last year to represent Japan as he seeks an Olympic berth.