Molly Picklum in a green wetsuit and blue jersey standing tall inside a large turquoise barrel at Supertubos, with spectators in the foreground

Photo: Damien Poullenot

Molly Picklum wins at Supertubos and takes the Yellow Jersey

Molly Picklum beat Caitlin Simmers in a final between two World Champions at the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal. The win is her first of the season and puts her at the top of the rankings for the penultimate event of the tour.

A final between World Champions

Supertubos sits on the edge of Peniche, a fishing town on Portugal's Atlantic coast north of Lisbon. Its hollow barrels have earned it the nickname of the Portuguese Pipeline, and on Finals Day the sets were running six to eight feet in front of thousands of fans on the beach.

Picklum, the reigning World Champion, came up against Simmers, who won the title in 2024. Picklum opened with a quick barrel. Simmers followed straight away, stalling into a deeper cover-up for a better score. Picklum then waited patiently for the right wave and posted a 7.83 out of 10. Simmers answered with a 6.67 but needed more, and the ocean didn't send her another chance.

It was Picklum's third final of the year and her first win of 2026. A win at Supertubos was on her wishlist for the season, and it comes with the Yellow Jersey she will wear as rankings leader at the next event.

Molly Picklum in a blue jersey and green wetsuit with both arms raised, carried up the beach on a man's shoulders after her win

Photo: Manel Geada

“It was a dream of mine to win here.”

“The glow worm absolutely did it,” said Picklum. “Thanks to all my friends and family who stayed up for this one! I love that I get to win in front of them. So many people support me, and I love giving back to them, but right now I’m on top of the world. It was a dream of mine to win here. Portugal is like the cross between the Brazilian energy and Pipeline, those are two of my favourite things. I’m so grateful to win here. Dreams do come true. I’m really happy to hit my stride at the right time. We work so hard and not many people get to win, but I’m so stoked to get my win this year.”

Back on the podium for Caitlin Simmers

Caitlin Simmers in a red jersey crouched low inside a large turquoise barrel at Supertubos, with spectators in the foreground

Photo: Damien Poullenot

Simmers won this event in her rookie year, and her runner-up finish is her first podium of the season. She spent the week pulling into heaving barrels against a good friend, at a spot she counts among her favourite places in the world.

“I’m so grateful to have a job that takes me here,” said Simmers. “I really mean it when I say Portugal is one of my favourite places on the planet. I really do love surfing, and I’m trying to find the joy in it this year, and it feels like there’s so much more behind every heat win.”

Molly Picklum and Caitlin Simmers smiling together on the podium, Picklum holding the winner's trophy and Simmers the runner-up trophy

Photo: Damien Poullenot

The tour moves on to the Philippines Pro, which runs from October 31 to November 10, 2026. For updates, head to WorldSurfLeague.com.