Molly Picklum (AUS) and Griffin Colapinto (USA) emerged victorious at the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented by Corona Cero on Friday, October 23, delivering standout performances in powerful six-to-eight-foot surf at Praia de Supertubos in Peniche, Portugal.
The tenth stop of the 2026 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour produced two compelling finals, with Picklum defeating fellow World Champion Caitlin Simmers (USA) and Colapinto overcoming three-time World Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA). Both victories carried significant weight as the Championship Tour entered its decisive postseason stretch.
For Picklum, the result marked her first victory of the season and moved her to the top of the women’s rankings. Colapinto, meanwhile, made history as the first surfer to win the Portugal event three times.
Reigning World Champion Molly Picklum secured her first victory of the 2026 season, defeating Caitlin Simmers with a 7.83 after Simmers responded with a 6.67. The win at Supertubos fulfilled Picklum’s ambition and moved her to the top of the women’s rankings, earning her the Yellow Jersey ahead of the penultimate event.
Griffin Colapinto made history by becoming the first three-time winner of the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal. After opening with an 8.17, Colapinto faced consecutive excellent scores of 8.57 and 8.20 from Gabriel Medina before delivering a decisive 9.43 barrel to secure the title.
Caitlin Simmers earned her first podium of the season, returning to the final at a venue where she previously won during her rookie year. The 2024 World Champion’s performance against Picklum provided renewed momentum for the postseason.
Gabriel Medina advanced past Brazilian rival Italo Ferreira in the semifinals before finishing runner-up to Colapinto. Despite producing excellent scores in the final, Medina could not match the American’s decisive closing ride.
The Championship Tour moves to the Philippines Pro from October 31 to November 10, 2026.
With Picklum leading the women’s rankings and Colapinto celebrating a historic third Portugal title, the results at Supertubos have added further significance to the closing stages of the 2026 season.
