Thursday, 24 April 2025:

SALLY FITZGIBBONS.

Molly Picklum's bid for an elusive Bells Beach title has been foiled again, with the Australian surfing star suffering a shock loss at the Rip Curl Pro.

Brazilian junior world champion Luana Silva started Thursday by beating the world No.3 in the first of the women's round-of-16 heats.

Picklum had come to Bells Beach in strong form, reaching the top four in all four World Surf League rounds so far this season and finishing runner-up in two of them.

But after coming second at Bells Beach two years ago, she also failed to make last year's quarter-finals.

Surfing resumed at the Winky Pop break in clean three- to four-foot conditions.

The men will start their round of 32 after the women's heats.

Australian Sally Fitzgibbons has a tough heat against American world No.1 Cailtlin Simmers.

Isabella Nichols, runner-up at the last round in El Salvador, will go up against Canadian Erin Brooks.

The last women's heat on Thursday will be an all-Australian duel between two-time world champion Tyler Wright and Ellis Harrison.

AAP