World No.1 Molly Picklum’s pursuit of her first Bells Beach title is alive after surviving an early morning elimination on day two of the Rip Curl Pro.
The 21-year-old, a favourite to go one better than making the final in 2023, was made to fight for a spot in the round of 16 after coming last in her opening heat on the first day of competition.
Picklum only scored on three waves and was beaten by 18-year-old local wildcard Ellie Harrison.
But sent to the sudden-death showdown on Tuesday morning, with competition shifted to nearby Winkipop for more favourable conditions, Picklum did just enough to get through.
A best scoring wave of 6.17 was enough to elevate Picklum in to second behind fellow Aussie Sophie McCulloch, but Torquay local India Robinson was bundled out of her home event.
After winning the elimination heat, McCulloch said the three Aussies in the water together helped each other “lift” having been “rattled” by her own opening day loss.
“I thought I knew how to surf Bells better than what I did,” she said.
“I have some good people around me who helped m realise I am good enough and that’s what gave me the momentum to come in today.”
Picklum joins fellow Aussies Tyler Wright, the back-to-back champion at Bells, Harrison, McCulloch, Isabella Nichols and Sally Fitzgibbons in the next round.
