Molly Picklum could be forced to wait until next week for perfect waves to land her maiden world title

World No.1 Molly Picklum is within touching distance of a maiden world title she says Australia “deserves” and won’t be caught overthinking what’s needed despite what looms as a nervous wait to get in the water in Fiji. Picklum surged to the top ranking on the back of a dominant win last-start in Tahiti, putting her in prime position to secure the title in the one-day, five-surfer shootout at Cloudbreak in Fiji, with Jack Robinson the only Australian male to make it through. But Picklum, 22, is only one heat away from joining the likes of Australian icons Steph Gilmore, Layne Beachley and Tyler Wright as Australian world champions given the changes made to the finals format. As the No.1 seed, Picklum need only win the first of her best-of-three heats against her opponent, who will have to come through earlier rounds, to wear the crown. It’s an enticing scenario for Picklum, who used a surfing camp in Fiji after her Tahiti win to get better used to the waves she’ll be competing on for just the third time. But the forecast could leave everyone out of the water until next week despite the window for the event opening on Wednesday. With the potential of an extra seven days to get ready, Picklum said she’d look to have some “fun” but at all times keep her eye on the prize. “I feel pretty dialled in. I feel like it’s a wave, there’s no real black and white … I like that, it frees it up a bit and you kind of let your surfing to the talking,” Picklum said from Fiji on Monday. “While there’s no waves we’re on a beautiful island in Fiji, surrounded by water, so as a water person I’ll be able to keep busy. “I think there will be other little waves to surf. I’ve got a real fun crew here, brought some friends and my crew over. I’m sure I’m going to have a whole heap of fun but make sure I don’t have too much fun and make sure I come into that day with heaps of energy.” Picklum conceded she’d go into to the final day with a “different” feeling to last year, when she entered as the fourth seed and was bundled out in the opening round. “It’s different because there’s nowhere near as much work needed to be done on the day,” she said. “I’m just focusing in on that one heat. It feels so different, my whole year has felt a little different, but we’ll see how the day unfolds.” There’s no escaping what’s at stake though, and for Picklum, who started surfing because of the likes of Gilmore, Australia’s last world champ in 2022, the prospect of joining her heroes on a list of world champions is enough to focus her energy and attention. “To go on the list with them, it’s like everything I’ve ever dreamed of,” she said. “It’s funny, like everyone says ‘I want to be a three-time world champion’ and I’m like, doing it once is sick. “I’d be stoked to be on that list with them, then after that, you just love what you do so you keep doing it. I’m a true Aussie at heart and I feel like I have the whole country behind me and it’s been a while since we brought a trophy home and I feel like Australia deserves it. “It would be a dream to bring it back. “ Women’s final five: Molly Picklum (Aus) Gabriela Bryan (USA) Caitlin Simmers (USA) Caroline Marks (USA) Bettylou Sakura Johnson (USA) Men’s final five: Yago Dora (Bra) Jordy Smith (SAf) Griffin Colapinto (USA) Jack Robinson (Aus) Italo Ferreira (Bra)