The QS1,000 Animal Pro resumed today in big, chunky surf at Fistral to decide the event’s Semifinalists for a Sunday finish at Boardmasters Open. Competitors had to contend with double-overhead sets and a lot of moving white water and rose to the challenge as they eyed a spot into the event’s final rounds.
With conditions wild and unruly, surfers’ fitness and seamanship were tested and the most experienced competitors came out victorious in most heats throughout the day.
In the women’s field, British rising talent Alys Barton (GBR) will face Camilla Kemp (DEU) in the next round. The two-time defending winner Yolanda Hopkins (POR) kept her hopes for a three-peat alive advancing into the Semis as well where she’ll square off with Rachel Presti (DEU).
The men’s Animal Pro will have a younger field fighting for the win on Sunday with Hans Odriozola (ESP) taking on Ido Arkin (ISR) in the opening Semifinal. Newquay local Luke Dillon (GBR) put on a fantastic display in the Quarters and will continue to represent his local town up against Kai Odriozola (ESP) in the second Semifinal. One thing is for certain there will be a new victor at Fistral when the event wraps as former winners have all been dispatched in previous rounds.
Sunday will also see the completion of the Reef Longboard Pro in which six more British surfers will try to go all the way on home turf. With big waves on offer on Sunday still, local legend Ben Skinner (GBR) will be the crowd favorite to take it all out at Fistral.
The last winner in a professional event at Fistral (WSL and former ASP) hailing from Great Britain was Russel Winter (GBR) back in 2002.
The day started with the opening rounds of the Reef Longboard Pro and ran all the way through the Quarterfinals before moving into the Animal Pro QS competition once again.
nternational Talent and Rising Star Dominate Women’s Longboarding
Four-time winner at Boardmasters, Alice Lemoigne (FRA) dominated the opening day of competition and proved she will once again be hard to beat in the Cornish waters. The former runner-up in the world easily navigated the slightly wind-affected building rights and lefts of Fistral to post big numbers in her two heats.
The biggest surprise came from Canary Island resident Ginger Caimi (ITA) who, at only 11 years old, beat some of the event’s favorites to claim a spot into the Semifinals. The light goofy foot showed great potential with beautiful nose rides both on the lefts and rights today.
Beth Leighfield (GBR), Izzy Henshall (GBR) and Emily Currie (GBR) will represent the host country in the Semis.
Brits Catch Hot Start in the Men’s Reef Longboard Pro
Local hero Ben Skinner (GBR), Adam Griffiths (GBR) and Arthur Randell (GBR) all posted convincing performances in the Quarters and will be the crowds’ favorites when the event resumes for the finals over the weekend.
The reigning European Title winner Nicolas Andrade (ESP) and previous 4-time event victor Edouard Delpero (FRA) will be fighting to get back on top of the podium as well.
The QS1,000 Animal Pro also continued later today with the men’s Round of 32 and the women’s Round of 16 as the swell continued to build throughout the afternoon on a sunny Friday in Newquay.
The next call will be held Saturday, August 12th, 2023 at 12 p.m BST.
Boardmasters Open surfing events are scheduled from August 9-13, 2023 at Fistral Beach, Cornwall – England and registrations are now open. For all results, photos, video highlights and press releases, log on to worldsurfleague.com.
Boardmasters Open surfing events including the QS 1,000 Animal Mens and Womens Pro, the LQS 1,000 Reef Longboard Pro and the Mystic Junior Open are supported by Rubicon RAW Energy, FULFIL, Animal, Reef, Mystic as well as media partners Carve and SurfGirl.
UPCOMING REEF LONGBOARD PRO MEN’S SEMIFINALS MATCHUPS:
SF1: Arthur Randell (GBR), Nicolas Andrade (ESP), Jon Garmendia Gonzalez (EUK), Ignacio Pignataro (URY)
SF2: Ben Skinner (GBR), Adam Griffiths (GBR), Edouard Delpero (FRA), Martin Coret (REU)
The Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy returns with an all-star cast to Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa from 21-28 August 2023, when surfing royalty will battle it out for USD 25,000 and bragging rights at the world’s most luxurious surfing event.
With six of the world best surfers competing on twin fins, single fins and thrusters and competition times staggered dependant on age, the event is not only the world’s most luxurious but it’s most unique. Held at the challenging and consistent reef breaks around Kuda Huraa.
After 11-time world champion Kelly Slater beat his Momentum Generation peers in last year’s event, the first Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy competitor announcement for 2023 is 2015 WSL world champion Adriano de Souza, who will be flying the flag for Brazil in his first ever appearance at the event.
“I’m very excited to be invited,” said Adriano. “It’s always been a dream to take part in this event after seeing the legends who have competed in the past. Most of them are my good friends! I’m thrilled to be representing Brazil and have already started working with my shaper to create some special boards!”
As well as the 2015 title, Adriano claimed seven Championship Tour events in his career, including victories at Pipeline and Bells, and was also crowned World Junior Champion in 2003.
Competing alongside Adriano will be Hawaiian superstar siblings Mason and Coco Ho. Mason, who has long been one of the world’s favourite free surfers – as well as Rip Curl teammate Mick Fanning’s regular travel partner on the Search – has proved his competitive mettle at the highest level on a number of occasions as a wildcard on the Championship Tour, including a famous victory over Adriano at Bells. He is already looking forward to the chance to square off on array of alternative surfboards.
“Competing in the Champions Trophy is an awesome opportunity!” said Mason, famed for riding a wide variety of surfboards. “It’s a really cool event format with an incredible history of past champions. It would be such an honour to get my name on that list!”
A ten-year veteran of the Championship Tour, Coco will relish the opportunity to compete against her brother and the rest of the field in the Surfing Champions Trophy, in waves that play perfectly to her strengths.
The second half of the draw is to be announced closer to the event, with two additional international competitors and one Maldivian wildcard. Not only will the field duke it out for prize money and prestige, but they will be indulging in all that Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa has to offer throughout the event window.
Stay tuned for more updates as the world’s most luxurious surfing event readies to launch its eleventh edition this August.
To catch all the exhilarating action, surf fans can book the Surf & Spa package, available for the entire month of August. The offer includes a session for two with expert Tropicsurf coaches, a two-for-one offer at The Island Spa, 15 percent off non-suite rooms, in-villa welcome refreshments, round-trip airport transfers, and daily buffet breakfast at Café Huraa. To reserve your stay in this surfer’s paradise, book online, email: [email protected] or call the central reservations department of Four Seasons Resorts Maldives at tel: (960) 66 00 888.
We are connected by water. The rhythm of the water guides our days and inspires self-expression. While you may only be committed to one of these sports, you can look at
a fellow kiter or surfer and instantly understand their love for the water. It’s what sets us apart, as outsiders often can’t grasp our deep bond with the water. Boundless Waters recognizes this as the common thread that unites all riders…
Farm Boys is the world’s only hardcore surf and gardening show!
Earth wizards Heath Joske and Addy Jones set about building a garden paradise in the dry Australian bush from some old junk, a handful of seeds and a lot of hard work. Throughout the six-part series they catch up with
a network of surfing friends who’ve all made a life out of growing their own food, in their own backyards, in their own way.
In Ep 1 Heath and Addy stumble upon a junkyard in the South Australian bush and begin their search to find a ladder for the outdoor toilet they’re building back on the farm. They find their ladder – along with a truckload of other useful rubbish which they soon repurpose, building a solar oven and baking a solar-powered chocolate cake.
Definitely one of the wildest yet most rewarding adventures I’ve ever had. From crashing boats in open waters to scoring some of the best waves of my life with just me, my friend Pedro Calado and filmer Kaique Silva in the water trading barrels all day. Good times.
PT II will be released early September. Stay tuned.
