Reigning world surfing champion Molly Picklum has her sights set on the season-leader's yellow jersey after reaching her first final in Portugal.
The Australian was made to work hard to defeat American Lakey Peterson at the famed Supertubos break in a grinding semi-final of the World Surf League event in Peniche on Thursday.
The pair tried to find barrels, but had to revert to turns to build a score when the ocean didn’t produce anything better.
Picklum has been vocal about her goal to win at Supertubos, and after reaching the final she is within reach of taking the No.1 spot from Hawaiian Carissa Moore and wearing the yellow jersey going to the Philippines.
Standing in Picklum's way is American Caitlin Simmers, who beat Hawaii's Bettylou Sakura Johnson in their semi-final.
“I’m learning that you don’t have to be perfect, and a win is a win,” said Picklum, who this week ended Canadian teenage tyro Erin Brooks' 15-heat unbeaten streak.
“It’s tough, because I always want to put on a performance that I’m proud of.
"The conditions were so tricky, it was hard to stay calm, so I’m happy I could execute that one score to get in a better position.
"I’m stoked to be in the finals with Caity (Simmers), it’s going to be exciting.
"If it’s heaving Supertubos tomorrow, we’re going to have a shootout.”
In the other semi-final, Simmers and Sakura Johnson battled in slow conditions, with the Hawaiian quick to build a score, finding two medium-sized barrels for mid-range scores.
Simmers made a few mistakes, but she was in the right spot with priority for the best wave of the heat, finding a wide open, deep barrel and speeding down the line for a big finish and a reward of a 7.50 (out of a possible 10).
That was the best and last wave of the heat, with Simmers earning her first finals appearance this year.
“It’s difficult with a beach break, because it always looks better from the beach,” Simmers said.
“The line-up is so big, it’s more confusing when it’s just you and one other girl out.
"I think we both surfed a perfect heat, I’m just really grateful for Mother Ocean for giving me that wave. I really hope we get barrelled in the final.”
In the men's competition, Brazil dominates the semi-final line-ups.
Heat one is an all-Brazilian affair between Gabriel Medina and Italo Ferreira, with heat two featuring Brazil's reigning world champion Yago Dora up against American Griffin Colapinto.
