Olympic surfing: Jack Robinson sets record, Aussie world no.4 Molly Picklum bundled out in second round

While one Aussie fell victim to a disastrous draw that has led to calls for a review of the Olympic surfing seeding rules, another has broken a record in a fantastic round 2 performance.

Jack Robinson’s son Zen was cheering from home and that’s exactly what the Aussie personified on his way to a record-setting Olympic surfing heat that has put him on a collision course with superstar John John Florence.

Robinson sent a shot across the bow of rivals by producing the highest single score (9.87) of the Olympic surfing competition so far on his way to a two-wave total of 16.87 that propelled him past Peruvian Lucca Mesinas (10.83) on Monday (AEST).

“It was so beautiful. It was a special afternoon,” Robinson said.

“Looking back, seeing everyone, seeing the sun shining, the waves. There wasn’t too much else going on. I was just really happy to be out there.”

Australia's Jack Robinson rides in a barrel. Picture: Jerome BROUILLET / AFP

The 26-year-old has drawn US athlete and two-time world title winner Florence in round 3 where a win could create an all-Australian quarter-final should compatriot Ethan Ewing beat Japan’s Connor O’Leary, a man who spent time as a surf coach in Cronulla, NSW.

Robinson is known for his mental fortitude and he needed all of it in a 40 minute marathon.

Mesinas started a paddle battle to the line-up with Robinson in order to gain priority and the two jostled when neither took a wave.

Robinson held his nerve while Mesinas stalked him and he eventually forced his rival to commit enough to a wave for judges to give the Aussie priority.

Moments later Robinson paddled into a bomb and saluted the crowd after emerging through the foam to complete his near-perfect ride that two judges deemed to be a 10.

Robinson is through to round 3. Picture: Getty Images

“(The battle for position) started on the boat and then he tried to fight a lot on the way (to the line-up),” Robinson said.

“It’s part of it. It takes years and years of experience to just stay in your moment and focus on yourself in that situation.

“(The record-setting wave) was about as perfect as a wave gets. I think my 10 is coming one day. I have never had a 10 on (the world) tour yet. Maybe one day soon.”

Robinson and partner Julia Muniz welcomed son Zen, now seven-months-old, in December and the Australian said the family had a special connection to Tahiti.

“(I talk to Zen through) maybe like 15 face times a day. He is always trying to eat the phone,” Robinson said.

“I’m sure he wants to be here. He was here in my wife’s tummy last time.”

PICKLUM BUNDLED OUT AS AUSSIES CALL FOR OLYMPIC REVIEW

Surfing Australia high performance director Kate Wilcomes has called for a review of how athletes are seeded for the Olympics after Molly Picklum was bundled out on the back of a disastrous draw.

The current world tour no.4 was pitted in a round 1 heat boasting no.1 Caitlin Simmers (US) and no.7 Tatiana Weston-Webb (Brazil) while her round two match-up was against a no.6 ranked Johanne Defay, who labelled the seeding process for the Games dumb.

Simmers was given the lowest seed (24) for the Olympic contest while Picklum was seeded 16th despite her current tour standing.

Defay produced a two-wave total of 11.83 to beat Picklum (7.43) in the one-on-one contest at Teahupo’o, Tahiti, on Monday (AEST).

Molly Picklum competing in Tahiti. Picture: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

When surfing made its debut at the Tokyo Games surfers who qualified for the Olympics through the World Surf League’s Championship Tour were seeded higher while those who competed at the International Surfing Association’s World Surfing Games were ranked lower.

That was switched for Paris, with surfers who didn’t even compete at the WSG getting lower seedings, including all four of Australia’s athletes who qualified via the CT.

“In my opinion the seeding should be reviewed for the future as it has dramatically impacted this event,” Wilcomes said.

“Unlike any other international event the seeding does not reflect world rankings.

“I understand the reason behind the change was to promote engagement at the qualification event this year however the priority should be to have a fair and balanced heat draw.”

The International Surfing Association has been approached for comment.

Defay came within hours of being ruled out of the round 2 heat due to concussion before ending Picklum’s Olympic gold medal dream

The French surfer hit her head on the reef in round 1 on Sunday and had blood pouring down her face. She put on a helmet and finished the heat in second.

The 30-year-old said she was assessed by medicos, had four stitches inserted and tested for concussion that afternoon with unclear results.

Defay said she was tested again at 5.30am local time before her warm up for round 2 and passed. If she failed it’s understood Picklum would have gone straight through to round 3 on the back a forfeit.

The 21-year-old Aussie charger said her Olympic experience had made her determined to return to chase gold in the future.

Molly Picklum of Team Australia talks with head coach Bede Durbidge following her heat during round two of surfing in Tahiti. Picture: Ed Sloane / POOL / AFP

“It has always been how much weight do we put on the Olympics,” Picklum said.

“Coming and debuting was my biggest learning. It is something I want to win, it is something I want to be part of and I hope surfing stays in it for years to come so I get another chance to potentially bring home gold in surfing.”

Picklum said she was disappointed but would turn into the team’s biggest supporter as she cheers on Aussies Jack Robinson, Tyler Wright and Ethan Ewing.

“If it isn’t me I still want an Aussie to bring home gold or any medal,” she said.

“I’m staying with Jack so I’ll be there washing his dishes, putting breakfast in front of him. Anything to get him over the line. You take your (athlete) hat off and be a good supporter and fan.”

The surfer from NSW’s Central Coast did everything to get the scores needed to progress, including riding a wave until she was in ankle deep water standing on the dangerous reef.

“It was a bit of a rock dance at the end (of that wave),” Picklum said.

“You want to put it all on the line for your country.”

Such was her desperation to win, Picklum revealed she went beyond the norm to try and punch out of a tube that closed out.

“I held on to my board under water and everything because any moment that it spits me out and I could be on my feet then it is a good score,” she said.

Originally published as Olympic surfing: Jack Robinson sets record, Aussie world no.4 Molly Picklum bundled out in second round