Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Defending world champion Molly Picklum is through to the quarter-finals of the Margaret River Pro, but Isabella Nichols is out after falling just short in an intriguing battle with Carissa Moore.
Bumpy conditions with waves in the four- to six-foot range greeted surfers on Sunday at Main Break, and Picklum thrived in the conditions in her match-up against fellow Australian Sally Fitzgibbons.
Picklum dropped a seven-point ride on her first wave to set the tone.
But it was her two-turn backhand combination minutes later – including an air-drop landing and a theatrical “claim” – that earned her an 8.50 score and a comprehensive heat win over Fitzgibbons.
“I just got asked about my claim. You just kind of let it all out, because it feels the best,” Picklum said.
“When you’re just smacking lips and putting everything into each section, it’s like the magical moments.
“A lot of things are clicking at the moment. Some of them are uncontrollable, so when those things are happening for you, you’re loving it and just taking the ride.”
The heat between Nichols and five-time world champion Moore was a struggle, with the conditions meaning even getting a five-point ride was tough.
Nichols, the 2022 Margaret River Pro winner, needed a 5.76 ride for victory when she took off on her final wave with just 40 seconds remaining on the clock.
The 28-year-old was able to nail the one and only section available to her, but it only netted her a 5.07 score.
American Lakey Peterson overcame illness to defeat Erin Brooks, while Gabriela Bryan – aiming for a third straight Margaret River Pro crown – edged past Yolanda Hopkins.
“It was not pretty, but I’ll take it,” Peterson said of her win in the bumpy conditions.
“I felt so bad out there. I’ve been super sick the last few days.
“The first 20 minutes I just got so flogged and I was like shaking and going ‘OK, get it together for the next 20 minutes’.
“I was just lucky to get a couple of little ones and put it together.”
Caroline Marks, Sawyer Lindblad, Luana Silva and Caitlin Simmers also made it through to the final eight.
The Simmers versus Moore match-up is set to headline the quarter-finals, with Picklum to take on Brazilian Silva.
