Picklum and Dora Crowned World Champions in Epic WSL Finals at Cloudbreak

In a dramatic conclusion to the 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 event culminated in challenging, heavy conditions at the iconic Cloudbreak surf break, pushing the athletes to their limits.

Key Takeaways

• Molly Picklum and Yago Dora secured their first World Surf League (WSL) world titles.
• The finals were held in challenging, large surf at Cloudbreak, Fiji.
• This marks a significant achievement for both surfers and their respective nations.

Historic Title Decided in Heavy Surf

The WSL Finals Day witnessed a historic moment as the women’s world title was decided in exceptionally challenging and consequential surf at Cloudbreak. What began as a manageable swell transformed into double-overhead conditions, testing the mettle of the finalists. Amidst this maelstrom, top seeds Molly Picklum and Yago Dora seized their opportunities to clinch the ultimate prize.

"It’s such a trip and something you can never take away from me to be a World Champion," said a jubilant Picklum. "To get this after such an amazing season is so special and something I’ll remember for life."

Dora echoed the sentiment, stating, "It’s so crazy that the whole year is decided like that in one heat. I’m really glad it’s come my way and I’m over the moon right now, I’m so happy, just so happy."

Championship Match Showdowns

Yago Dora vs. Griffin Colapinto: Yago Dora, the number one seed, needed just one heat win to secure the title against a strong Griffin Colapinto. Dora opened with a powerful performance, adapting expertly to the changing open-ocean conditions and building crucial scores. His victory continues the dominant "Brazilian Storm" in professional surfing, marking the eighth world title for Brazil in 11 years.

Molly Picklum vs. Caroline Marks: The women’s Championship Match saw Molly Picklum face Caroline Marks. After a grueling first heat where Marks fought valiantly, Picklum ultimately took control in the second heat. Displaying incredible skill on her backhand in the pumping surf, Picklum secured back-to-back heat wins to claim her first world title, following in the footsteps of Australian surfing legends.

The Road to the Final

The day’s competition saw intense battles throughout the various matches. Griffin Colapinto advanced to the men’s final by overcoming Italo Ferreira in a closely contested heat, showcasing a strong rail game. On the women’s side, Caroline Marks demonstrated resilience and experience, progressing through her heats, including a win against Caity Simmers, to set up the final showdown with Picklum.

Earlier matches included Italo Ferreira defeating Jack Robinson with his signature aerial maneuvers, and Caroline Marks overcoming Bettylou Sakura-Johnson, leveraging her experience in high-pressure situations. The event highlighted the evolving talent and competitive spirit within the WSL, with both established stars and emerging talents pushing the boundaries of the sport.

Sources

• Molly Picklum, Yago Dora Win WSL Finals, Claim World Titles, SURFER Magazine.
• No Cloudbreak? The WSL Finals Day May Run at Restaurants, SURFER Magazine.
• ‘Swell of the Year’ Headed to Fiji for WSL Finals Day (Video), SURFER Magazine.
• WSL Finals Breakdown: Who’s Going to Win the 2025 World Title, SURFER Magazine.