Bettylou Sakura Johnson Takes Trestles

“Overall, I’m just super happy how I was able to overcome each heat and just take it out, and I’m so psyched to bring this one home. Honestly, the secret is just staying happy and being surrounded by your loved ones,” said Johnson. “The support this year has been incredible, and I’m just super grateful. It was just finding my rhythm and picking my waves, and just pushing as hard as I can but knowing the waves as well. Lowers has been incredible, and it’s so great to have the memories back when I was 12 years old. Keep it there [in second gear], maybe get into fourth later on in the season, but there’s nothing to lose right here. We’re just trying to get to the Final 5. That’s the goal, but I’m enjoying the process and taking it wave by wave. That’s the only thing you have to do is keep it simple.”

The Final witnessed pumping conditions that built throughout the day and peaked heading into the end of Finals Day. The 2023 and 2024 World Title contender Molly Picklum (AUS) entered the Final against fellow event standout Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW). Johnson’s relentless form throughout Finals Day culminated in a showdown with Picklum, posting an 8.00 (out of a possible 10) to start the heat following Picklum’s minimal opener. Johnson wasn’t done yet and posted yet a 9.00 to push Picklum to a combination situation, meaning she needed two new waves to equal Johnson’s heat total of 17.00 (out of a possible 20). Picklum was able to break the combination, but ran out of time to find a near-perfect score needed to overtake Johnson’s lead. Johnson’s immaculate run atop the podium included eight excellent scores, meaning an 8.00 or above, including a 9.00 in the Final to claim her second win of 2025. Haleʻiwa’s rising World Title contender, Johnson, began her Finals Day quest with the women’s highest heat total, a 17.83, against 2023 World Champion Caroline Marks (USA). 

Molly Picklum Makes a Major Statement in the World Title Race

Earning her second runner-up of the 2025 CT season, Molly Picklum (AUS) continued to show her relentless power on Finals Day. Picklum, 22, holds firm at No. 3 on the rankings as she hunts her third Final 5 appearance in just her fourth season on Tour.

“I’m really happy with second place,” said Picklum. “I feel like this year, more than any other year, I’ve been pushed inside and outside of the water. It’s funny when these girls come up against me, and I’m just like, what am I going to have to do, you never know, and Caity [Simmers] obviously pushed me, and I’m so happy to have gotten one over her. She beats me every time, and then Bettylou [Sakura Johnson], I got her a few times early on in our career, and now she’s starting to get me. Every time you mention her, it’s so exciting and fun for me. Obviously, you see the smile that it brings. 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.”