- 2023-02-21
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SPORTS
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Donate to support families affected by the crisis in Ukraine ➔ World Surf League: Molly Picklum and Filipe Toledo Win Hurley Pro Sunset Beach
The 2nd stop on the World Surf League 2023 Championship Tour, Hurley Pro Sunset Beach took place at Sunset Beach, Oahu, Hawaii between February 12 and February 20, 2023.
Molly Picklum (AUS) and Filipe Toledo (BRA) won Hurley Pro Sunset Beach in six-to-eight foot waves at Sunset Beach on the North Shore of Oahu.
For Molly Picklum, this marks her first victory of World Surf League Championship Tour.
She defeated Caroline Marks (USA) in the Final, Tyler Wright (AUS) in the Semi Final, and Brisa Hennessy (CRC) in the Quarterfinal, respectively.
Molly Picklum said, “It is just a jersey color, but I'm stoked to be on the top because that's where I want to be, it's where I feel I believe I can be, and it's just a jersey color for now because the endgame is Trestles,” said Picklum. “I'm so stoked to take it out and this event is so challenging. I think it's just never losing your confidence and really believing in yourself the whole way, no matter what it looks like. The level of women's surfing is insane. You can be on the Challenger Series one year then win a CT event, so I'm definitely proud of myself for just chipping away even though there are so many setbacks. Moments like these make it all worth it.”
This result marks Molly Picklum is tied for the No. 1 position on the world rankings with five-time World Champion Carissa Moore (HAW).
Runner-up Caroline Marks said, “It's been such a fun week, and I've had such an amazing support crew and want to thank everyone,” said Marks. “My best friend came and surprised me, my brother's here, my other friends are here, and it's just been so fun. This time last year was way different than where I am this year, so I'm really grateful and so happy.”- While, current World Champion Filipe Toledo claimed the first victory of the 2023.
He defeated Caio Ibelli (BRA) in the Quarterfinal, Joao Chianca (BRA) in the Semifiinal and advanced to the Final.
In the Final, he competed against Griffin Colapinto (USA). It was a rematch of the 2022 Surf City El Salvador Pro Final.
Griffin Colapinto earned a near-perfect 9.17 on his first wave. Filipe Toledo answered him 7.83 surfing.
The last two minutes, Filipe Toledo earned him a near-perfect 9.47 with lightning-fast attack and took his 13th victory of Championship Tour.
Filipe Toledo said, “It means a lot, I worked super hard for this just training and surfing. Last year was fun, and I got what I wanted, which was my Title, and I learned a lot. When it comes to situations like this, I feel like I'm really well-prepared and ready for anything. Griffin Colapinto came out swinging, and I'm just thinking, 'I'm ready, here we go.' I knew the right wave would come, it was slow for a lot of the heat, but I could see he was tense having that 9.17. He seemed a little nervous, I don't know if he was or not, and I stayed calmed and composed and just wait for the wave, then do what I have to do.”
Runner-up Griffin Colapinto said, “I feel great, that was a crazy heat with Filipe (Toledo), and the only heats I've had with him are in the Finals, so that's been pretty cool,” said Colapinto. “That was a good little battle, and I'm super stoked. Caroline [Marks] lives in my hometown as well, so it's a good day.”
Hurley Pro Sunset Beach Women's Final Results:
1 – Molly Picklum (AUS) 10.90
2 – Caroline Marks (USA) 9.90
Hurley Pro Sunset Beach Women's Semifiinal Results:
SF 1: Molly Picklum (AUS) 12.34 def. Tyler Wright (AUS) 1.74
SF 2: Caroline Marks (USA) 13.10 def. Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 8.83
Hurley Pro Sunset Beach Women's Quarterfinal Results:
QF 1: Molly Picklum (AUS) 8.67 def. Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 8.40
QF 2: Tyler Wright (AUS) 12.17 def. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 11.17
QF 3: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 15.00 def. Carissa Moore (HAW) 7.73
QF 4: Caroline Marks (USA) 12.50 def. Caitlin Simmers (USA) 12.23
Hurley Pro Sunset Beach Men's Final Results:
1 – Filipe Toledo (BRA) 17.74
2 – Griffin Colapinto (USA) 16.10
Hurley Pro Sunset Beach Men's Semifiinal Results:
SF 1: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 17.90 def. Jack Robinson (AUS) 16.33
SF 2: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 16.33 def. Joao Chianca (BRA) 15.54
Hurley Pro Sunset Beach Men's Quarterfinal Results:
QF 1: Jack Robinson (AUS) 14.76 def. Nat Young (USA) 9.33
QF 2: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 13.50 def. Ethan Ewing (AUS) 9.16
QF 3: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 17.07 def. Caio Ibelli (BRA) 12.44
QF 4: Joao Chianca (BRA) 15.23 def. Matthew McGillivray (RSA) 13.00
Photo by Brent Bielmann/World Surf League- source : World Surf League
