Featuring in her third Final at the North Shore of O`ahu’s most notorious wave, two-time World Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) claimed her 17th CT victory today. The Australian will now enter Stop No. 2 of the 2025 CT season wearing the Yellow Leader’s Jersey, as World No. 1. Previously winning at Pipeline over five-time World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Carissa Moore (HAW) after the event moved from Honolua Bay at the start of the 2021 season, Wright narrowly lost to Moore in the 2023 Final. But today, Wright defeated the reigning World Champion to stand atop the podium once again.
“This is such a special win,” Wright said. “I’m always a little bit scared to love surfing because I’ve been injured so many times. It’s just one of those ones where this has been really nice. Last year, I was injured a lot more than I feel like people thought I was. So to come back and have, like, a really nice off season with my wife. It’s just, it’s so special.”
Representing distinct generations, 30-year-old Wright and 19-year-old Simmers had previously shared a Final in the 2023 Rio Pro, where Simmers took the win. The roles were reversed today, but Simmers started with an early advantage after Wright aggressively paddled for a wave and handed the younger competitor priority. Both surfers missed out on high scores after taking big falls, and it was Wright who found the first score of note after the halfway mark of the heat. That barrel at Backdoor turned out to be the defining moment of the Final and earned Wright the win.
Representing distinct generations, 30-year-old Wright and 19-year-old Simmers had previously shared a Final in the 2023 Rio Pro, where Simmers took the win. The roles were reversed today, but Simmers started with an early advantage after Wright aggressively paddled for a wave and handed the younger competitor priority. Both surfers missed out on high scores after taking big falls, and it was Wright who found the first score of note after the halfway mark of the heat. That barrel at Backdoor turned out to be the defining moment of the Final and earned Wright the win.
“I think I really tried to bring in a lot more joy, and that’s what I really felt here.” Wright said. “It was so cool to have a Final with [Caitlin] Simmers out there. She’s like the queen of Pipeline to me. And absolutely awesome seeing them have like a little Backdoor shootout in the semi between Molly [Picklum] and Simmers as well.”
Throughout the day, Wright’s speedy forehand barrel technique proved to be unbeatable. The Australian previously overcame 2018 World Title runner-up Lakey Peterson (USA) in the Semifinals, the 16th head-to-head match-up for the two Tour veterans. In a rematch of the same round in 2023, Wright found a deep forehand barrel to earn an 8.67 (out of a possible 10) and the win. Wright also took a decisive Quarterfinal victory over 2023 World Champion Caroline Marks (USA). Similarly to the Final against Simmers, Marks and Wright started the match fighting hard for the first wave, with Marks gaining the advantage but unable to emerge from the fast-running Backdoor wall. Wright then stalled into a nice Backdoor section to take control of the heat, which she didn’t let up.
Simmers and Picklum Deliver Backdoor Shootout for the Ages
Simmers hands the Yellow Leader’s Jersey to Wright after holding onto it for many months. Her run on Finals Day included a Quarterfinal against her close friend and fellow Californian, Sawyer Lindblad (USA), and a rematch of the 2024 Final against Molly Picklum (AUS) that will be a guaranteed contender for heat of the year.
The Semifinal between Simmers and Picklum immediately turned into a classic Backdoor shootout. Picklum won an aggressive fight for the opening ride, but Simmers picked off the very next wave and earned an 8.17. Picklum soon fired back with a driving barrel of her own to collect an 8.33 and the lead. Simmers, the reigning World Champion and defending event champion, responded by pumping and weaving through a long barrel before leaning into a huge grab-rail carve. The 9.50 awarded to Simmers boosted her two-wave heat total to 17.67 (out of a possible 20), both numbers the highest of the event for the women. Multiple impressive attempts from Picklum added to her scoreline, but Simmers held on to extend her unblemished record against the Australian.
“I think watching this wave from inside and out, whether you’re in the barrel or just watching it from the beach is one of the most beautiful things ever,” Simmers said. “I kind of just wish the Final was a barrel shootout, but sometimes she sleeps and the ocean definitely slept during our heat. But Tyler [Wright] is a very smart competitor and she just got the waves. Congrats to her.”
Lexus Pipe Pro Presented by YETI Women’s Final Results:
1 – Tyler Wright (AUS) 7.70
2 – Caitlin Simmers (USA) 3.94
Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) 15.17 DEF. Lakey Peterson (USA) 9.83
HEAT 2: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 17.67 DEF. Molly Picklum (AUS) 16.13
Quarterfinal Results:
HEAT 1: Lakey Peterson (USA) 6.50 DEF. Isabella Nichols (AUS) 1.50
HEAT 2: Tyler Wright (AUS) 11.84 DEF. Caroline Marks (USA) 3.50
HEAT 3: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 14.50 DEF. Sawyer Lindblad (USA) 1.43
HEAT 4: Molly Picklum (AUS) 8.10 DEF. Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 1.03
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