Caroline Marks, Yago Dora shine in Supertubos showdown
Caroline Marks and Yago Dora have emerged victorious at the 2025 WSL Portugal Pro, notching critical wins in powerful Supertubos surf to strengthen their World Title bids.
In testing four-to-six-foot conditions marked by strong winds and an unpredictable rip, both surfers overcame elite fields in Peniche World Surf League Championship Tour.
Marks, the reigning Olympic champion, claimed her second title in Portugal—her seventh CT win overall—after edging out Hawaii’s Gabriela Bryan in a scrappy but strategic Final.
The 23-year-old Floridian has now made Finals Day at all three stops in 2025 and will head to El Salvador, where she’s the back-to-back defending champion, brimming with momentum.
“It wasn’t the prettiest Final, but we’ll take it,” Marks said.
“It was really challenging, but winning feels so good. To share this one with my dad, who doesn’t get to come to many events, is really special.”
WSL Portugal Pro Finals Day Highlights
Bryan, who edged out rookie Erin Brooks in a close Semifinal as the $2.55 underdog with the top surfing bookmakers, registered her best result in Portugal and moves into the Top 5 of the rankings.
Marks had earlier overcome Australia’s Molly Picklum in a heat that saw both surfers struggle for clean exits in tricky conditions.
Picklum’s third-place finish wasn’t enough to overhaul Caity Simmers for the Yellow Leader Jersey, but it did reinforce her grip on World No. 2.
On the men’s side, Yago Dora scored his second career CT win, outdueling World No. 1 Italo Ferreira in an explosive all-Brazilian Final.
Ferreira posted the highest single-wave score of the matchup with a huge frontside air, but Dora’s creativity and control on his backup wave sealed the deal.
“Last season, I had two Finals where I couldn’t quite finish the job,” Dora said.
“I wasn’t going to let this one get away. I felt something special was going to happen here this week.”
The win vaulted Dora 11 spots up the leaderboard to World No. 4. He credited the breakthrough to recent changes in his coaching setup.
“Change is always risky, but it feels amazing when it works. I’m still the same person, still doing what I love.”
Ethan Ewing was Australia’s best performer, moving to World No. 3 after a Semifinal run that included a standout 9.17 barrel in the Quarterfinals against Filipe Toledo. But he couldn’t maintain that form against Dora, managing just 3.50 in their heat.
Jack Robinson also reached the Quarters before being eliminated by Dora, while rookie Marco Mignot posted his best CT result with a Quarterfinal appearance, jumping 13 places to World No. 18.
Ferreira and Simmers will retain the Yellow Jerseys heading into next month’s Surf City El Salvador Pro. The competition window opens April 2.
