Defending world champion Molly Picklum is through to the quarter-finals of the Margaret River Pro but hometown hero Jack Robinson bombed out on a day of tricky waves likened to snowboarding.
Bumpy conditions with waves in the four-to six-foot range greeted surfers on Sunday at Main Break, meaning the blockbuster round of 16 match-up between Robinson and Gabriel Medina didn't live up to expectations.
Medina's early 6.33 ride put the heat on Robinson, and with quality waves hard to come by, the pair struggled to showcase their exceptional talents.
With just 90 seconds remaining and Robinson requiring a 5.94 ride to progress, the Australian set off on a wave and pumped his fist in celebration after landing his sharp final turn.
But it was only enough to earn him a 5.13, with the result eliminating the two-time Margaret River Pro champion in the third round.
It continues a tough start to the season for Robinson, who bombed out in the second round at Bells Beach after copping a controversial interference call.
Medina was relieved to snare a quarter-final berth in the tough conditions.
"It was just hard to surf," Medina said.
"I felt like I was trying to survive every wave. It's hard when it's windy like this.
"It looks like we are doing snowboarding or something. I was just wobbling.
"Jack's one of the best here, so it feels good to win. I'm a big fan of Jack."
Picklum thrived despite the conditions in her match-up against fellow Australian Sally Fitzgibbons.
Picklum dropped a seven-point ride on her first wave to set the tone.
But it was her two-turn backhand combination minutes later - including an air-drop landing and a theatrical "claim'' - that earned her an 8.50 score and a comprehensive heat win over Fitzgibbons.
"I just got asked about my claim. You just kind of let it all out, because it feels the best," Picklum said.
"When you're just smacking lips and putting everything into each section, it's like the magical moments.
"A lot of things are clicking at the moment. Some of them are uncontrollable, so when those things are happening for you, you're loving it and just taking the ride."
The heat between Australian Isabella Nichols and five-time world champion Carissa Moore was a struggle, with the conditions meaning even getting a five-point ride was tough.
Nichols, the 2022 Margaret River Pro winner, needed a 5.76 ride for victory when she took off on her final wave with just 40 seconds remaining on the clock.
The 28-year-old was able to nail the one and only section available to her, but it only netted her a 5.07 score.
American Lakey Peterson overcame illness to defeat Erin Brooks, while Gabriela Bryan - aiming for a third straight Margaret River Pro crown - edged past Yolanda Hopkins.
Caroline Marks, Sawyer Lindblad, Luana Silva and Caitlin Simmers also made it through to the final eight.
The Simmers versus Moore match-up is set to headline the quarter-finals, with Picklum to take on Brazilian Silva.
