Jack Robinson storms into final five shootout joining Molly Picklum as Tahiti champions in epic Aussie double

Australian surf star Jack Robinson’s wife and son jumped into the water to celebrate after he came from the clouds to power into the world title shootout by winning an emotional event in the monster waves of Tahiti. Robinson’s win came an hour after compatriot and world No.1 Molly Picklum sealed her own “sick” victory with a near-perfect final display on a wave at Teahupo’o she once feared. But Robinson’s triumph in the final event of the regular season, which propelled him to fourth on the rankings, came at a cost, taking the spot of fellow Aussie Ethan Ewing who was bundled out in the quarter-finals and fell to sixth on the rankings. Robinson needed to win in Tahiti to get into the final five who will compete for the world title in Fiji at the end of the month and the emotion was evident in the family celebrations after he stunned Griffin Colapinto with a 9.5 opening wave. “I’m right where we’re meant to be,” he said. “I had a mission and I went for it. I’m very blessed to be going to Fiji. “The whole event, I was just doing me, just free. I was free.” Picklum, who confessed to being scared by the monster break at Teahupo’o, where she contested last year’s Olympics, put all fear aside to blitz reigning world champion Caitlin Simmers in the final. The 22-year-old was near untouchable, scoring three brilliant eight-point waves to start the decider, creating a break Simmers could not reel in as Picklum solidified her No.1 ranking ahead of the final-five shootout for the world title in Fiji at the end of the month. Picklum said she’d head home to Australia for a few days and get some new boards after “breaking a few” in Tahiti, primed for her world title push. “I felt like I earned my stripes this event,” Picklum said. “It was sick, so nice just to make a few waves and not get flogged. “What a special place Tahiti is, you just feel the energy. It’s where the dream comes alive, I’m so happy.” Picklum’s win came after taking out the Rio Pro in Brazil two events before heading to Tahiti and she’ll hit the finals in supreme form. “I’m so psyched,” she said. “I’ll go home for a few days, pack a few boards … I broke so many here, and head over there and enjoy it for what it is. “I finished No.1 this year, it’s a massive step in the right direction, and hopefully I can get that cherry in Fiji.” Picklum will be joined in the final five to contest the finals by Isabella Nicholls, who jumped into the contingent in Tahiti, taking the place of American Caroline Marks.