In a historic conclusion to the 2025 World Surf League Championship Tour, Australia’s Molly Picklum and Brazil’s Yago Dora have claimed their maiden world titles at the Lexus WSL Finals in Fiji. The iconic Cloudbreak break delivered powerful, challenging conditions, testing the mettle of the world’s best surfers as they battled for ultimate glory.
Key Takeaways
- Molly Picklum and Yago Dora secured their first-ever world titles.
- The finals were held in challenging, powerful surf at Cloudbreak, Fiji.
- Both surfers entered the event as the number one seeds and lived up to expectations.
Picklum’s Dominance in Fiji
Molly Picklum, the 22-year-old Australian powerhouse, showcased incredible resilience and skill to clinch her world championship. After dropping the first heat of her Championship Match against Caroline Marks, Picklum rallied with two dominant performances, securing back-to-back heat wins. Her victory marks a significant achievement, placing her among Australian surfing legends like Layne Beachley and Stephanie Gilmore. Picklum’s consistent season, marked by two event wins and numerous finals appearances, culminated in this career-defining moment.
Dora Rides the Brazilian Storm to Victory
Brazil’s Yago Dora also etched his name in surfing history by winning his first world title. As the number one seed, Dora faced a formidable Griffin Colapinto in the men’s Championship Match. Dora’s strategic approach and powerful surfing in the challenging Cloudbreak conditions proved superior, allowing him to secure the win in a single heat. This victory continues the dominant era of Brazilian surfing, with Dora becoming the fifth Brazilian man to win a world title in the last decade.
A Challenging Finals Day at Cloudbreak
The Lexus WSL Finals Fiji presented a unique challenge with the move to the powerful waves of Cloudbreak. The swell built throughout the day, creating demanding conditions that tested the surfers’ adaptability and wave-reading abilities. Both Picklum and Dora demonstrated exceptional composure and skill to navigate the powerful surf and secure their respective titles. The event also saw strong performances from runners-up Caroline Marks and Griffin Colapinto, who battled hard throughout the finals day.
Sources
- Molly Picklum, Yago Dora Win WSL Finals, Claim World Titles, SURFER Magazine.
- The Catch Up: Dora and Picklum seize the day, claim maiden World Titles at Lexus WSL Finals Fiji, World Surf League.
- CONGRATS TWO BRAND NEW WORLD CHAMPIONS! YAGO DORA & MOLLY PICKLUM: Lexus WSL Finals Fiji presented by
Corona Cero, Surf News Network. - Molly Picklum wins first world surfing title with dominant display at WSL Finals | Surfing, The Guardian.
