The Billabong Pro Tahiti, Stop No. 7 of 11 on the 2016 Samsung Galaxy WSL Championship Tour (CT), continued today in three-to-five foot (1 – 1.5 metre) surf at Teahupo’o. The day saw top scores and exciting match-ups as the world’s best surfers battled through Rounds 3 and 4 to avoid elimination and earn a direct advance to the Quarterfinals.
Event wildcard and 2008 Billabong Pro Tahiti winner, Bruno Santos (BRA), lit up the competition today with electric performances in both rounds. The Brazilian, who gained entry into the event after winning the Trials, looked unstoppable today as he not only knocked out the top ranked surfer on the CT in Round 3, but also posted highest heat score of the day, a near-perfect 18.30 in Round 4, to defeat two former event winners.
Santos began by causing a huge upset in Round 3 Heat 6 by defeating Matt Wilkinson (AUS), Jeep Ratings’ Leader. With limited opportunities during the heat, Santos got busy on the inside to earn a 12.33 combined heat score to take the lead. With only five minutes left in the heat, Wilkinson had yet to put points on the board. A set out the back gave Wilkinson an opportunity to challenge Santos, but the Australian failed to make it out of the barrel.
“I was watching the last heat and the end of that heat was really good, so in the beginning of my heat I was trying to get the first good wave,” said Santos. “Wilko [Matt Wilkinson] and I fought for the priority, but when the sets came I was too deep. I started to get the small ones and just made my scores enough to put me in the lead. I am feeling really good. It is hard to surf against Wilko who is doing really well this year. I feel stronger that I beat the big guys. I just want to keep going, step-by-step.”
Wilkinson is eliminated in equal 13th place and will relinquish his first place position on the Jeep Leaderboard to John John Florence (HAW) if the Hawaiian is able to make the Quarterfinals in Tahiti.
“I started just as I wanted to,” Wilkinson said. “But, on that first set, we were both too deep for it. Obviously, I would have loved to have been on it in the perfect spot, but I made sure he did not have an easy line into it. The heat just slowly ran away from me. I was happy letting him get those 5’s and that 6 because I decided that I wasn’t settling for anything but an 8 or above. I am disappointed, but good luck to Bruno [Santos] in the rest of the event. There is so much of the year left and I am going to focus on getting big results. Hopefully I can get on another little roll and win a few. For Lowers, I am going to work on high performance surfing and being as consistent as I can.”
Santos advanced on to Round 4 Heat 2, which saw a stacked match-up of former event winners — 11-time WSL Champion Kelly Slater (USA) and Adrian Buchan (AUS). Four-time event winner Slater showcased why he is the most decorated surfer on the CT as he miraculously came out of a cavernous barrel to earn the event’s first perfect 10.00. Santos challenged the veteran with two near-perfect 9-point rides to take 0.13-point lead over Slater and the win. Santos will advance to the Quarterfinals, while Slater and Buchan will battle again in elimination Round 5.
“I am super stoked to win that heat,” said Santos. “There were three event champions in that heat. Ace [Adrian Buchan] is so good here and Kelly [Slater] is the man. It actually was a dream for me to beat Kelly. I’ve surfed against him maybe four or five times, but as a kid I always dreamed of beating Kelly somewhere, but here it is special. It was a crazy heat with Kelly’s perfect 10. I am super stoked to be in the Quarterfinals and beat two of my favorite surfers here.”
Kolohe Andino (USA), Josh Kerr (AUS) and Julian Wilson (AUS) also earned a direct advance to the Quarterfinals following Round 4 wins.
Andino took on Keanu Asing (HAW) and Jordy Smith (ZAF) in Round 4 Heat 1. Smith held the lead for the majority of the heat, but Andino scored with an excellent 9.53 in the last two minutes. Andino’s patience paid off as he edged a narrow victory and his place in the Quarterfinals.
“That heat was scrappy – I was waiting and waiting and finally I got a couple of waves,” said Andino. “I knew that a good wave was going to come and then it did, so I tried my best and held. I was really amped up when I made it because it means I go straight to the Quarters, which is a result for me. This is the first event my dad has been to all year and I’m stoked he’s here. I’m having a really fun time here this year but I know the Quarters will be tough.”
Kerr earned his first Quarterfinal berth of the 2016 season after defeating CT superstar Florence and Jadson Andre (BRA) in Round 4 Heat 3. Florence and Andre will be relegated to Round 5, where they will battle to stay alive in the competition.
“I am feeling great, but what a weird heat that one was,” Kerr said. “There was so much seaweed and coconut sticks in the water. It was not dangerous for waves, it was just dangerous to catch a wave that was half a foot because you would get hit in the heat by a coconut or something. The best wave of the heat was John’s [Florence] one and he got all of that seaweed and it just stopped him in his tracks. I am just stoked to keep rolling through and keep the vibes going.”
Round 4 Heat 4 saw an intense clash of CT heavyweights, as Wilson took on WSL Champions Joel Parkinson (AUS) (2012) and Gabriel Medina (BRA) (2014). The thrilling match-up up saw each of the three surfers charge and post 9-point rides. Wilson opened his account with a near-perfect 9.70 and Parkinson quickly followed suit with a 9.37. Wilson locked in an excellent 8.27 back-up score and held the lead for the entire heat. Medina fought back with a 9.27, but like Parkinson, could not find the second score required to take the Quarterfinal spot.
“That was great to start the heat with a few waves,” Wilson said. “The heat before had nothing in it at all. We were even super deep at the start of the heat, too. We were hassling each other a bit. That real south wave popped up and I was able to get a score out of it. Joel [Parkinson] caught one that was really good. Gabby [Gabriel Medina] came back into the heat with a 9. It was pretty much wide open until the end, but the waves just shut down after Gabby’s wave.”
Wilson previously eliminated defending event winner Jeremy Flores (FRA) in Round 3 Heat 10 with a buzzer-beater barrel ride to score a near-perfect 9.20.
Round 3 also saw another shock elimination when Asing took down 2015 Rookie of the Year, Italo Ferreira (BRA), in the opening heat of the day. Asing secured a 5.67 on his opening exchange to take an early lead. The top-seeded Brazilian took control with a 12.58 combined score, but the Hawaiian came out of a deep tube ride to earn an excellent 8.40 for a narrow 1.64 lead. Ferreira will walk away with a 13th place finish from the event.
“It was like I said earlier, ‘Kill or be killed,’” Asing said. “I am coming out as hard as I can. I came prepared to this event. Even though I do not have any results this season, that does not mean that I am going to give up. I came ready and I stuck to my game plan. I feel like Italo [Ferreira] thought he was going to walk right through that heat and he thought I was probably an easy draw, but I am giving it the best I can. I am fighting for money, my career, my work, and I will not let these guys take my money and take my job.”
2016 WSL Rookies Alex Ribeiro (BRA) and Kanoa Igarashi (USA), the last two rookies left in the draw, were eliminated in Round 3 by CT superstars Florence and Parkinson, respectively.
BILLABONG PRO TAHITI ROUND 3 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Keanu Asing (HAW) 14.07 def. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 12.43 Heat 2: Kolohe Andino (USA) 15.03 def. Adam Melling (AUS) 5.67 Heat 3: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 7.00 def. Matt Banting (AUS) 5.17 Heat 4: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 15.50 def. Alejo Muniz (BRA) 7.33 Heat 5: Kelly Slater (USA) 17.50 def. Nat Young (USA) 12.50 Heat 6: Bruno Santos (BRA) 12.33 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 6.83 Heat 7: John John Florence (HAW) 13.33 def. Alex Ribeiro (BRA) 8.57 Heat 8: Josh Kerr (AUS) 17.44 def. Dusty Payne (HAW) 4.37 Heat 9: Jadson Andre (BRA) 12.07 def. Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 9.57 Heat 10: Julian Wilson (AUS) 16.03 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 14.77 Heat 11: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.53 def. Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 5.20 Heat 12: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 15.66 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 7.83
BILLABONG PRO TAHITI ROUND 4 Results:
Heat 1: Kolohe Andino (USA) 15.30, Jordy Smith (ZAF) 12.63, Keanu Asing (HAW) 11.63 Heat 2: Bruno Santos (BRA) 18.30, Kelly Slater (USA) 18.17, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 8.33 Heat 3: Josh Kerr (AUS) 11.00, Jadson Andre (BRA) 10.06, John John Florence (HAW) 2.96 Heat 4: Julian Wilson (AUS) 17.97, Joel Parkinson (AUS) 13.04, Gabriel Medina (BRA) 10.60
BILLABONG PRO TAHITI ROUND 5 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Adrian Buchan (AUS) Heat 2: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Keanu Asing (HAW) Heat 3: Jadson Andre (BRA) vs. Gabriel Medina (BRA) Heat 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. John John Florence (HAW)
The Billabong Pro Tahiti, Stop No. 7 of 11 on the 2016 Samsung Galaxy WSL Championship Tour (CT), recommenced today with the 12 heats of Round 2 completed in challenging three-to-five foot (1 – 1.5 metre) conditions at Teahupo’o.
Matt Wilkinson (AUS), current Jeep Ratings Leader, survived elimination in Round 2 against event wildcard Hira Teriinatoofa (PYF). Teriinatoofa took control of the heat with a 6.43 and a 7.07, but Wilkinson fired back with an excellent 8.00 barrel ride. Teriinatoofa, needing a 7.11, had one last opportunity in the dying seconds of the heat, but could not finish the ride to challenge the Australian. Wilkinson will advance to Round 3 where he will surf against Bruno Santos (BRA) in a heated Round 1 rematch.
“I came into Tahiti really psyched,” said Wilkinson. “I went out yesterday and John John [Florence] was in the heat before mine and he got some absolute nuggets. When I went out for my heat, I was so psyched but there was not a proper set in the heat and it was low-scoring. Bruno [Santos] got me and it was frustrating. Going in this morning, I knew it was small and slow, but when they come, there are still some beautiful tubes. I wanted to put some pressure on him. I got that one set that sealed the deal, so I am stoked.”
2016 WSL Rookie Alex Ribeiro (BRA) upset the competition today as he dispatched reigning WSL Champion Adriano de Souza (BRA). The heat saw low scoring rides, but the rookie stayed busy catching eight waves to the veteran’s three. With three minutes left in the heat, Ribeiro took the lead. De Souza only needed a 3.24 to regain control, but fell on his takeoff. De Souza will be eliminated in equal 25th place, his first Round 2 loss this year. The victory marks Ribeiro’s first Round 2 win of the 2016 season.
“I feel happy and stoked to make my heat today,” Ribeiro said. “The conditions out there were really hard. We were waiting and waiting, but there were no barrels coming. Luck was on my side and I am happy to make the next heat. I felt pressure going against Adriano [de Souza] because he is one of the best competitors in the world. The conditions were difficult and I knew I had to maximize my opportunities.”
“The waves are tricky today, but that is no excuse because we are professional athletes,” said De Souza. “We have to perform when it is amazing and when the waves are bad. We have to deal with whatever the ocean brings us. I will go back home and study what I did in this heat and come back strong for Lowers. Well done to Alex [Ribeiro]. He surfed well and best of luck to him and the rest of the team from Brazil.”
Keanu Asing (HAW) eliminated local favorite Michel Bourez (PYF) in Round 2 Heat 3. Asing got to work early in the heat with big carves and snaps to earn a 9.67 two-wave combined heat score. Bourez found a solid tube to earn a 5.70 and counter the Hawaiian. As the time wound down, Bourez searched for a section up the reef for the 3.97 needed to advance. Bourez was not able to find the required score. Bourez will leave the event with a 25th place finish, his worst result this season.
“I am glad I got a heat win,” said Asing. “You have to be smart out here when the conditions are like this. I was against Michel Bourez, who is the Tahitian prince out here. The whole channel is filled with Tahitians rooting for him, but I have to do what I have to do to stay on the CT. Whether I am doing bad on the rankings, I am just trying to do my best. I’ve come here to give it all that I have.”
Joel Parkinson (AUS) blazed through his heat against WSL rookie Jack Freestone (AUS)with a 14.00 combined score. Parkinson, former WSL Champion and event runner-up, posted a 6.67 and 7.33 to dominate the heat. The CT veteran will advance to Round 3 where he will face rookie Kanoa Igarashi (USA), who closed out the last heat of the day against Miguel Pupo (BRA).
“The last few years I have done pretty well here,” Parkinson said. “A couple of heat misses, but that is always expected, especially when conditions are like this. Teahupo’o is one of those places where you have to get in a good rhythm with it. It was hard to do in that heat but I just kept busy. I saw some bomb waves that came through, but just missed them. It is hard going against Jack [Freestone] because I watched him grow up and climb through the ranks. He is someone who I hope to pass the baton to, push and watch him do well.”
Heat 4 saw a heated battle between Julian Wilson (AUS) and 2016 WSL Rookie Ryan Callinan (AUS). Callinan put up a tough fight against Wilson, locking in one of the highest single wave scores of the day, an excellent 8.17. Wilson fired back with clean turns to earn a strong 7.17 and 6.67. On his last attempt, Callinan needed a 5.67, but just fell short with a 5.33. Wilson took the win by a narrow 0.34 margin over the rookie and will advance to Round 3.
“There are not that many opportunities out there and I just really wanted to start my heat well,” Wilson said. “Ryan [Callinan] took a few at the start and we were out of position for the best wave of the heat. I just had to wait for something that looked substantial and where I could get a barrel. That was a great heat against Ryan, who has been performing well all year. He is a good guy and I wish him all the best in the next event. I was happy to get away with a close one against a great competitor.”
Dusty Payne (HAW) scored the highest heat score of the day, a 14.27, which included the critical 7.10 that knocked out rookie Conner Coffin (USA) in the dying seconds of Heat 11. Payne will advance to Round 3 where he will face Josh Kerr (AUS), who won Round 2 Heat 9 against Stuart Kennedy (AUS).
“It probably was an exciting heat to watch,” said Payne. “Conner [Coffin] had a couple of good waves and I had a couple of good ones. We kept going back and forth. I made a priority mistake after going on that one wave and got an upper-cut to my chin. I am so stoked that last wave came. I was not sure if it would be a good barreling wave and it held open. Luckily I was able to sneak in.”
When competition resumes, up first will be Italo Ferreira (BRA) up against Keanu Asing (HAW) in the opening heat of Round 3.
Surfline, official forecasters for the Billabong Pro Tahiti, are calling for:
Stronger SSW swell looks likely to fill in Monday PM and into Tuesday with favorable winds and conditions. Surf eases Wednesday and Thursday. An increase in windswell and swell mix is possible for Friday and into next weekend but local wind conditions look poor at this point.
Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. local time for a possible 7:35 a.m. start.
BILLABONG PRO TAHITI ROUND 2 RESULTS: Heat 1: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 14.17 def. Hira Teriinatoofa (PYF) 13.50 Heat 2: Alex Ribeiro (BRA) 6.23 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 5.70 Heat 3: Keanu Asing (HAW) 9.67 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 8.57 Heat 4: Julian Wilson (AUS) 13.84 def. Ryan Callinan (AUS) 13.50 Heat 5: Matt Banting (AUS) 10.93 def. Caio Ibelli (BRA) 8.33 Heat 6: Jadson Andre (BRA) 10.43 def. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 6.63 Heat 7: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 11.17 def. Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 6.23 Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 14.00 def. Jack Freestone (AUS) 2.03 Heat 9: Josh Kerr (AUS) 12.17 def. Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 11.00 Heat 10: Nat Young (USA) 11.40 def. Davey Cathels (AUS) 10.10 Heat 11: Dusty Payne (HAW) 14.27 def. Conner Coffin (USA) 13.74 Heat 12: Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 14.34 def. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 12.33
BILLABONG PRO TAHITI ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS: Heat 1: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Keanu Asing (HAW) Heat 2: Kolohe Andino (USA) vs. Adam Melling (AUS) Heat 3: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Matt Banting (AUS) Heat 4: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Alejo Muniz (BRA) Heat 5: Nat Young (USA) vs. Kelly Slater (USA) Heat 6: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs. Bruno Santos (BRA) Heat 7: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Alex Ribeiro (BRA) Heat 8: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Dusty Payne (HAW) Heat 9: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) vs. Jadson Andre (BRA) Heat 10: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. Jeremy Flores (FRA) Heat 11: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (USA) Heat 12: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Kai Otton (AUS)
The shortboard WQS finals went down on Saturday. The “challenging” surf of the early days was banished with a fresh, fun swell filling in to level the playing field. Huge congrats to Brit riders Jobe Harriss who made the quarters and Peony Knight who made the semis.
The victors were, not entirely unsurprisingly ex-WCT surfer Claire Bevo, and up and coming Aussie Shane Campbell. Commiserations to Angelo Bonomelli who had a final of contrast. Got a 10 and an interference call… Ouch. Apparently Shane and the Aussie crew made the most of the festival at Watergate that night in celebration.
WSL PRESS RELEASE
Claire Bevilacqua and Shane Campbell have won the Boardmasters, Cornwall today in good three-to-four foot surf at Fistral beach. Competition resumed early this morning and ran through the remaining rounds of the men and women’s QS competitions to culminate with the crownings of Bevilacqua & Campbell this afternoon.
The most form surfer of the entire event, Claire Bevilacqua (AUS), 33, opened her final count with a good wave on her forehand, and performed two solid turns on the outside before wrapping things up in the shorey for a 6.83 and a commanding lead. Ariane Ochoa (EUK), 18, tried to answer quickly but failed to perform on her first couple of attempts.
The young Basque didn’t lose faith and continued to scour the lineup for better opportunities, picking a nice right-hander as well to perform three solid backhand hacks for a 6.90, placing her right back in the game. In the meantime, Bevilacqua found another good wave for a 6.00 to extend her lead. Despite multiple efforts from Ochoa, Bevilacqua had built a sufficient lead and walked away with the win.
“I’m just really in disbelief, this whole week is gone so fast, we had beautiful weather and good waves and yeah I’m super happy, this is a dream and I love England, I can’t wait to come back !” an ecstatic Bevilacqua stated. “I’m going to compete in the European leg, this is a bit of a working vacation to see how I went and how it felt to come back on tour with a new approach and no pressure.”
“I’ve felt really good leading up to this event, I’ve been training and I’m just feeling really strong and confident in my surfing so I figured why not give it a go and try to make some points and money !” she continued. “I’m doing this for fun, I love surfing with the younger girls they push me and make me try really hard, it’s just all really positive.”
With her excellent runner-up spot today, and an event win previously achieved in Galicia, Ochoa continues to climb through the ranks and takes pole position in the European title race, overtaking compatriot Garazi Sanchez-Ortun (EUK) in the process.
“I’m super happy but I really wanted to catch that one wave I was missing,” she reflected. “Sometimes things don’t go your way and that’s just the game, but I’m super pleased with my result. It has been a really good week with my sister and her boyfriend supporting me every day. I’m loving it here. Hats off to Claire, she ripped the whole event so she deserved it !” Peony Knight (GBR), 18, claimed the host country’s best result today, with an excellent equal 3rd finish, falling just short of her season’s second final appearance. The young junior with an already solid resume on her local and national tours is quickly improving and could become Britain’s new threat in future seasons.
“I’m really happy, conditions were tricky and I had a really tough draw so I’m pleased with that result,” she commented. “I’m starting off this season well and we have a few more comps coming this summer so it’s a bit of a confidence boost and I’m going to just go for it now.”
In the men’s event, a busy start to the big final saw Shane Campbell (AUS), 21, and Angelo Bonomelli (ITA), 25, exchange a lot of waves right off the buzzer. The Australian, Campbell, got the edge with a 6.33 over Bonomelli low score and took an early lead.
With about ten minutes remaining in the battle, the Italian started on a wave as Campbell with priority opted to go as well, and was given a interference as judges deemed he altered his opponent’s wave scoring potential. With only one score then counted in his total, Bonomelli’s chances for the win were instantly reduced to none.
Despite the unfortunate incident, Bonomelli continued to surf and started on a long left-hander he absolutely destroyed with speed, power and flow, claiming the first and only perfect 10 point ride of the event.
Campbell improved his own situation with solid surfing on his forehand and finally claimed the Boardmasters title as the final horn sounded.
“There’s no better feeling, this is my first QS win and I’m really stoked, I haven’t even made the quarters on the QS before so to get into the man-on-man rounds and win is amazing,” he said. “It’s unfortunate what happened in the final, you never want to win or lose on an interference, and when it happened I thought it could go either way. I’m with the whole Australian crew here and we’re going to go out and celebrate at the festival tonight !”
The unfortunate Italian, Bonomelli claims a career-highest second place result in Newquay, and will be looking to keep the ball rolling as he heads to France for the next two QS events of the region’s summer leg.
“It’s really emotional to get to my first ever final, especially considering the general level in this event everyone surfed so well,” he commented. “I had a lot of fun, and even though I’m obviously disappointed about losing this way, but the scores I got are really encouraging and I hope I can continue and avoid this kind of mistake in the future..”
Men’s European QS: (post Boardmasters, Cornwall)
1 – Jonathan Gonzalez (CNY)
2 – Jorgann Couzinet (REU)
3 – Gony Zubizarreta (ESP)
4 – Andy Criere (FRA)
5 – Pedro Henrique (PRT)
The Boardmasters, Cornwall are scheduled from August 10-14, 2016 at Fistral Beach, Cornwall – England. For all results, photos, video highlights and press releases, log on to worldsurfleague.com.
The Boardmasters, Cornwall are supported by Surfers Against Sewage, Carve Mag, Corona, Relentless, Cornish Orchid, The Stable and MagicSeaWeed among others.
There’s an eerie calm in Newquay this morning. The Boardmasters is done for another year. Surf contests have been battled. Bands have been danced to. Hangovers may still be ongoing.
The longboarding finished up the event on Sunday with a perfect beach day and fun little waves on offer for the WSL longboarders. After a hard fought day the honours went to Alice Lemoigne and Edouardo Delpero. The top placed Brits were Adam Griffiths who made the semis and Emily Currie who made the quarters. Congrats to all it was a wonderful day’s surfing and a perfect end to another great event.
WSL Press Release
Alice Lemoigne and Edouard Delpero have won the Boardmasters, Cornwall today in clean two foot surf at Fistral beach in front of a packed beach coming to enjoy a picture-perfect summer day.
Reigning World Longboard Champion Rachael Tilly (USA), 18, opened her final count with a near-perfect wave of 9.33 for a long right-hander and multiple gracious nose rides all the way into the beach. Newly crowned 3-time European Champion Alice Lemoigne (REU), 19, took the first wave of the same set, a bigger wave but not as clean with more crumbling sections, not allowing her to fully exploit the clean wave face, for a 7.67.
The fading swell still regularly produced sets as Lemoigne quickly got another opportunity and surfed a very similar wave for another 7.50 and the lead over the American. Not content with her current situation, the French surfer from Reunion Island kept building house, with an excellent 8.83 to further apply pressure on her opponent. Despite multiple efforts, Tilly’s campaign to backup her 9 was vain and Lemoigne added another victory to her solid resume.
“This has been an incredible day, I could have never imagined it to turn out that way,” an ecstatic Lemoigne stated. “I got some good scores along the way and it’s really comforting for the rest of the season. I love coming here every year, we never have such an audience for a longboard event and it’s really cool to see all those people enjoying our show.”
Earlier today, Lemoigne survived a tense battle against good friend and fellow Reunion Island surfer Victoria Vergara in their semifinal matchup, cementing her regional rankings lead to claim her third European Longboard Champion Title.
“To clinch a third European title is absolutely unbelievable, it shows that all the work, the training, the efforts are not in vain,” she added. “ I can’t thank enough my sponsor Daddy Seal that shapes me incredible boards, my trainer, my parents and my boyfriend who support me so much.”
Californian Tilly fell just short of finding a good enough back-up score in the final and takes the runner-up spot. With a win earlier this season in Galicia, the reigning World Longboard Champion completes a fruitful European campaign and will try to keep her momentum going towards her next events on the world stage.
“It’s been a great time competing over here in Europe, I definitely I could have taken this one out as well but Alice surfed great, I was happy to at least post a 9 and put on a good show,” she reflected. “I’ll definitely be coming back next year, these events were really great ran and I look forward to it.”
In the men’s final, Emilien Fleury (FRA), 31, and Edouard Delpero (FRA), 26, got into multiple back-to-back waves and exchanged big scores for most of the final, both threading long nose rides and exploiting every little section with clean drop knee carves.
Delpero made a move for the win with a solid 8.97 on the ten-minute mark as Fleury kept very busy in the lineup, trying to find an equally great ride to try to clinch a maiden event win. Unfortunately opportunities got scarce and ultimately Delpero was carried up the beach, victorious for the first time this season. Delpero had previously dispatched of older brother and 2016 European Champion Antoine in an epic semifinal clash.
“I’m so happy to win here again today, I managed to beat my brother for the first time this year and to surf that final against one of my best mates in a man-on-man heat was incredible,” he stated. “All our European crew has been surfing so well this year again and we’re all super motivated to do well at the World final at the end of the year !”
Fleury with the runner-up position today nets his best result since 2013 when he reached the final of the Real B Voice Pro Longboard in Japan. Unable to find the best waves in the final, Fleury had however been the form surfer all-week, claiming both the highest combined heat total and single wave score of the entire event.
“It got tough by the end there with the high tide and a lot less sets than before, I wish I could have gotten better waves cause I was so close to win an event finally,” he admitted. “Edouard is so strong, especially when it comes to the finals, he chose better waves and deserved to win. I’m still extremely happy with my performance this week and this really motivates me to fight for the title next year and try to put a stop to the Delpero’s supremacy !”
Today’s results cement Delpero’s second place overall in the European rankings and propels Fleury up to second ahead of Ben Skinner.
Newquay local Adam Griffiths (GBR), 28, claimed Britain’s best result today at Fistral with an excellent equal third place as his great run at the Boardmasters was halted by Fleury in the semis. He had previously eliminated good friend and fellow Cornish surfer Skinner in their quarterfinal matchup.
“I’m really stoked with the third place today, it’s my first event of the year as I had a couple of injuries keeping me out of the water this year I didn’t have too much luck,” he analyzed. “I had a really good heat with Skindog earlier today, it’s always nice to beat him, we’ve been traveling and competing together for ages and he normally beats me.”
The musical side of the Boardmasters Festival will also conclude tonight at Watergate Bay with one last night of festivities. More information on the full festival lineup at boardmasters.co.uk.
Following the completion of the Boardmasters, Cornwall this week, surfers will now move on to South-West France for the upcoming Men & Women’s QS1,000 Médoc Océan Lacanau Pro from August 16-21.
Longboarders have now completed their four European events of the 2016 season and will look forward to representing their region at the Jeep World Longboard Championship, China presented by Wanning next December.
Final Men’s European LQS Rankings:
1 – Antoine Delpero (FRA) *** European Champion
2 – Edouard Delpero (FRA)
3 – Emilien Fleury (FRA)
4 – Ben Skinner (GBR)
5 – Martin Coret (REU)
Final Women’s European LQS Rankings:
1 – Alice Lemoigne (REU) *** European Champion
2 – Victoria Vergara (FRA)
3 – Carole Lormant (FRA)
4 – Kathleen Barrigao (PRT)
5 – Francesca Rubegni (ITA)
The Boardmasters, Cornwall are scheduled from August 10-14, 2016 at Fistral Beach, Cornwall – England. For all results, photos, video highlights and press releases, log on to worldsurfleague.com.
The Boardmasters, Cornwall are supported by Surfers Against Sewage, Carve Mag, Corona, Relentless, Cornish Orchid, The Stable and MagicSeaWeed among others.
FISTRAL BEACH, Cornwall – England (Friday, August 12, 2016) – It was an all-women day at the Boardmasters, Cornwall on Day 3 of the event’s waiting period, with both QS and longboard athletes taking on the wind-affected one-to-two foot surf at North Fistral.
Shortboarders first took action to complete the third round of competition and decide the event’s quarterfinalists that will battle for the 2016 Boardmasters title when competition resumes tomorrow.
Claire Bevilacqua (AUS), 33, continued to progress through the rounds with ease, displaying her powerful and stylish brand of surfing and will be the number one threat on finals day Saturday.
Barbados up-and-comer Chelsea Roett, 21, was another standout in today’s QS action, taking out her Round 3 bout ahead of European form surfer Ariane Ochoa (EUK). Advancing through to the quarters, Roett has insured she will at least equal her best result so far this season, an excellent fifth place at the Shoe City Pro.
“I needed one more result to finish my QS campaign so I’m hoping to do well here, everybody’s surfing really good here and the waves are challenging so I’ll try my best and hopefully be a little lucky to get through a couple more heats,” she said. “I love how beautiful Newquay is, I’ve passed through on my way to France and Portugal before but this is my first time surfing in England and I’m enjoying it. I’ll try to see a few different places when the contest is finished as well.”
Women longboarders then finally came into play at Fistral for the opening two rounds of competition, deciding the final eight surfers in contention for the prestigious Boardmasters title.
Reigning Women’s World Champion Rachael Tilly (USA), 18, launched her assault in the British waters and performed her signature gracious nose rides in the fading swell. Tilly picked up the right waves and belted the day’s highest single score, an excellent 8.17 out of a possible 10. The Californian, who already claimed an event win in Europe a few weeks ago at the Pro A Coruña will look to confirm her supremacy when finals day arrives Sunday.
“It was pretty fun if you’re able to pick the right waves, unfortunately a lot of them were dying quickly as we’re approaching the high tide,” she analyzed. “I always feel the pressure to perform, I want to do well and hopefully give everyone else a good show as well. I love it here, exactly how I imagined England would be with all the greenery, the cliffs and I’ve been having a really great time.”
Californian compatriot and former World Champion herself Lindsay Steinriede (USA), 31, also powered her way through to the quarters, in a similar fashion and with high scores in her earlier round. Steinriede alongside Tilly will look to play spoilers to the European title race as she will be facing one of the two surfers in contention on finals day.
“It’s my first time in England and I find it really beautiful, I knew the waves would be somewhat challenging but I’m still having a great time,” she stated. “It was great to get the two rounds out of the way and back-to-back so we could stay focused, warm and active.”
European rankings leader Victoria Vergara (FRA), 22, survived a tricky opening round matchup in the dying swell and kept her hopes of a maiden regional title alive. Pressure’s on for the Reunion Island native who will need to advance into the semis and finish at least one round ahead of her direct opponent, reigning European Champion Alice Lemoigne (REU).
“I’m really happy to have escaped that round, this event is extremely important for me as I’m currently in the lead and I’m super motivated to try to win the European title so there’s no room for error.” she commented. “The first round stress is out of the way and we’re expecting good conditions for the finals Sunday so I’m really looking forward to it.”
Today marks the official launch of the main music festival at Watergate Bay which will bring together thousands of music and party enthusiasts for three days of LIVE acts in the pristine set up overlooking the ocean. More information on the full festival lineup at boardmasters.co.uk.
Organizers will welcome men and women QS competitors at 8:30AM Saturday for what could be their final day of competition, while longboarders will have a day to rest before the big finals on Sunday.
The Boardmasters, Cornwall are scheduled from August 10-14, 2016 at Fistral Beach, Cornwall – England. For all results, photos, video highlights and press releases, log on to worldsurfleague.com.
The Boardmasters, Cornwall are supported by Surfers Against Sewage, Carve Mag, Corona, Relentless, Cornish Orchid, The Stable and MagicSeaWeed among others.
UPCOMING BOARDMASTERS WOMEN’S QS QUARTERFINAL MATCHUPS:
QF 1: Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) vs. Lucy Campbell (GBR)
QF 2: Ainara Aymat (EUK) vs. Reika Noro (JPN)
QF 3: Denver Young (AUS) vs. Ariane Ochoa (EUK)
QF 4: Peony Knight (GBR) vs. Chelsea Roett (BRB)
UPCOMING BOARDMASTERS MEN’S LQS QUARTERFINAL MATCHUPS:
QF 1: Ben Skinner (GBR) vs. Adam Griffith (GBR)
QF 2: Emilien Fleury (FRA) vs. Josh Le Marquand (JEY)
QF 3: Edouard Delpero (FRA) vs. Ben Howey (GBR)
QF 4: Sam Bleakley (GBR) vs. Antoine Delpero (FRA)
The J-Bay Open, Stop No. 6 on the 2016 Samsung Galaxy World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), continued today. Competition ran through the remaining heats of Round 2 followed by the opening four heats of Round 3 before being called off as conditions deteriorated. The WSL Top 34 battled to avoid early elimination in three-to-five foot (1 – 1.5 metre) surf at Jeffreys Bay. Top seeds dominated the day’s action, winning eight of the twelve match-ups.
Jordy Smith (ZAF) was the day’s top performer and commanded his Round 3 heat. The home-town hero stormed through his match-up against Kolohe Andino (USA) with an 18.20 heat total. Smith used his experience at Jeffreys Bay to find back-to-back excellent rides that earned him an 8.70 and 9.50 and a place in Round 4. Andino was left in a combination situation and leaves the competition in 13th place.
“I’m just so happy to be home and surfing good waves — it’s been absolutely firing,” said Smith. “There’s a lot of history here for me so it definitely brings up a lot of emotions. I’m just going to stick to the same things I’ve been doing. Just surf, wait for the good ones, and have fun with it. That’s it really.”
Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) also posted big scores and gave an impressive performance in Round 2. Dantas built his scoreline steadily throughout the heat, finishing with a near-perfect 9.50 to net an excellent 18.27 two-wave heat total and the win over compatriot Jadson Andre (BRA). Dantas will surf in Round 3 when competition continues while Andre is eliminated in 25th place despite a strong showing.
“I knew it was pumping and I had priority so I just tried to get the next wave and get a good score,” said Dantas. “I felt comfortable and had fun surfing J-Bay with two guys in the water. I put everything into the wave. It’s hard surfing against Jadson. He’s a friend of mine, but a heat’s a heat and there are no friends in the water when you compete.”
John John Florence (HAW) and Dusty Payne (HAW) went head-to-head in an all Hawaiian match-up in Round 3 Heat 2. With Florence chasing a World Title and Payne fighting for requalification the pair battled for the advantage. Payne kept busy catching nines waves, but Florence took the win by just 0.90 thanks to an 8.33 on his third wave and moves on to Round 4.
Payne, who leaves the contest in 13th place, previously posted the highest single-wave score of event so far, a near-perfect 9.77, in his Round 2 heat against Stuart Kennedy (AUS).
Josh Kerr (AUS) showed variety and flair in this Round 2 heat against Jack Freestone (AUS) and an excellent 8.23 at the midway point gave him a solid lead over his compatriot. Kerr followed this with a technical stalefish reverse aerial maneuver for 6.27 and finished with a near-perfect 9.23 to seal the win and his place in Round 3.
“I had a frustrating heat yesterday,” said Kerr. “Today I was so excited — the sun’s out and it’s warmed up. It’s about as rippable as J-Bay gets out there. It definitely zaps you with no jet ski assist, especially when you want to take chances on waves and catch a lot and make some scores happen. You come in pretty tired, especially with 35-minute heats. When you don’t have those howling offshores and it’s pretty buttery out there you can do whatever you want to do — some big turns or airs, it’s pretty fun.”
Kerr’s excellent run of form continued in Round 3 when he eliminated current No. 4 on the Jeep Leaderboard ItaloFerreira (BRA) in Heat 3. Kerr wowed with crowd with more aerial antics to net a 16.40 two-wave heat total and secure his place in Round 4.
Two-time event winner and 2012 WSL Champion Joel Parkinson (AUS) took on Matt Banting (AUS) in Round 2 Heat 7. Parkinson opened up strong with with a 7.67. Despite two good scores from Banting, Parkinson found a 7.50 to back up his opening score and take the lead, leaving his compatriot in need of an excellent 8.67. Parkinson moves on to Round 3 and Banting takes home his third 25th-place-finish of the season.
“I was really pleased to surf early this morning because conditions were great,” said Parkinson. “I’m feeling almost 100% again and am improving every day. I love J-Bay so it’s great to be back here.”
Alejo Muniz (BRA), three-time Quarterfinalist at the J-Bay Open, found two long waves to eliminate Nat Young (USA) in Round 2. Young was the busier of the two surfers, riding nine waves to Muniz’ four, but could not match the Brazilian’s top two scores and leaves the competition in 25th place.
“Yesterday I had a little bit of a shocker in my heat,” said Muniz. “I was really excited to go out and be in a heat with Conner (Coffin) and Mick (Fanning) , which I think are the best two guys out here. I was just too excited and didn’t stay calm so today I wanted to fix that and take off on the good waves and try to do my best. There’s a little bit of pain in my knee still. It’s cold in the mornings here, which is why I didn’t surf before my heat, so I could rest.”
“Whenever you’re sitting out there in second place with the time winding down all you want is the opportunity,” said Young. “I got the opportunity but the wave wasn’t all that good with a flat spot in the middle of it. It’s definitely a bummer for me. It’s a long journey and to lose that first round is tough. I feel lately I’ve been so dedicated and I feel like I do everything I can to make it through heats, so it’s a bummer when you put in all that work and come up short, but there’s the next contest.”
Michel Bourez (PYF) dispatched 2016 WSL Rookie Ryan Callinan (AUS) in a close battle in the opening heat of the day. The rookie held control for a majority of the heat with a 12.90 heat score, but an excellent 8.40 ride at the buzzer pushed Bourez into the lead to earn a spot in Round 3.
“It was kind of stressful out there,” Bourez said. “I was waiting for that last one. I let Ryan go on that small wave and I knew he was going to get the good score. I knew the set was breaking wider than it was supposed to do and it worked out. I don’t really get good results in cold waters so I feel like it is hard for my body to get used to it. At the end of the day, J-Bay is the best place and it is just beautiful.”
Adam Melling (AUS) stole a win from 2016 WSL Rookie Connor Coffin (USA) with some last-minute heroics in Round 2 Heat 9. Coffin held the lead through most of heat with a 14.67 heat total, but a score of 6.93 from Melling at the end of the bout saw him claim his place in Round 3 by just 0.19 points. Coffin is eliminated in 25th place.
“It was a pretty hectic heat,” said Melling. “He got the first wave, which I thought looked really nice, but my one doubled up pretty nice and I’m pretty happy to get the score there. It was a bit of a tricky one because I hadn’t really surfed much before I came here. I love right-hand points and that’s what I grew up on so I feel pretty confident out there.My ankle is playing on my mind a bit but it’s good to get through that heat.”
“Going forward I’ll be mixing it up a bit, not doing the same maneuver,” said Coffin. “It sucks losing at J-Bay. Fiji and J-Bay were the two events I was looking forward to. You have to try and learn from all your results but it’s also important not to think about it too much. You surf the way you surf.”
The final heat of the day saw 11-time WSL Champion Kelly Slater (USA) dispatch Adrian Buchan (AUS) with an early score of 6.33 on the best wave of the heat. Slater advances on to Round 4 while Buchan is eliminated in 13th place.
“It was a tough heat for both of us because the wind sprung up early on,” said Slater. “I was fortunate that I was in the right position early in the heat to pick off the best wave. That was the difference between winning and losing.”
Surfline, official forecaster for the World Surf League, are calling for:
Fading, but fun size, SW swell mix prevails Thursday as wind backs down (and turns side/onshore in the afternoon). A potentially larger SW swell could move in for the weekend, although wind conditions do look more problematic with at least some periods of onshore flow. We’ll be watching for a fun size swell around mid next week, with potential for larger swell during the final weekend of the waiting period.
J-Bay Open Round 2 Results:
Heat 1: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 8.47 def. Steven Sawyer (ZAF) 7.93 Heat 2: John John Florence (HAW) 17.27 def. Alex Ribeiro (BRA) 11.77 Heat 3: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 16.54 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 14.34 Heat 4: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 10.50 def. Keanu Asing (HAW) 3.87 Heat 5: Michel Bourez (PYF) 16.07 def. Ryan Callinan (AUS) 12.90 Heat 6: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 14.27 def. Nat Young (USA) 12.93 Heat 7: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.17 def. Matt Banting (AUS) 12.17 Heat 8: Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 18.27 def. Jadson Andre (BRA) 17.13 Heat 9: Adam Melling (AUS) 14.86 def. Conner Coffin (USA) 14.67 Heat 10: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 15.67 def Jeremy Flores (FRA) 13.44 Heat 11: Josh Kerr (AUS) 18.06 def. Jack Freestone (AUS) 15.26 Heat 12: Dusty Payne (HAW) 17.47 def. Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 11.44
J-Bay Open Round 3 Results:
Heat 1: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 18.20 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 10.10 Heat 2: John John Florence (HAW) 14.83 def. Dusty Payne (HAW) 13.93 Heat 3: Josh Kerr (AUS) 16.40 def. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 14.20 Heat 4: Kelly Slater (USA) 11.73 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 5.20
J-Bay Open Upcoming Round 3 Match-Ups:
Heat 5: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF) Heat 6: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs. Alejo Muniz (BRA) Heat 7: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Adam Melling (AUS) Heat 8: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. Joel Parkinson (AUS) Heat 9: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Miguel Pupo (BRA) Heat 10: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (USA) Heat 11: Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) Heat 12: Adriano De Souza (BRA) vs. Davey Cathels (AUS)
