FULL STORY ON THE WAY

World Title Race Narrows at Cuervo Classic Malibu Longboard Championship

• Finals Day Starts Tomorrow, Wednesday, October 5, at 7:35 AM PDT (535am HI time)
• Rankings’ Leaders Shine in Seeding Round, While Potential Spoilers Make Their Moves
• Epic World Title Showdown Ready for Tomorrow

Rankings’ Leaders Shine in Seeding Round Debuts

Current World No. 1 Kaniela Stewart (HAW) demonstrated that he is up for the task of holding off his opponents as he earned an excellent 8.00 (out of a possible 10) debut score in his chase for a maiden World Title. Stewart’s effortless approach of beautiful noserides, footwork, and railwork garnered him the day’s best 8.67 and 16.87 (out of a possible 20) heat total against former WSL Longboard Champion Steven Sawyer (RSA) and fellow World Title contender Kaimana Takayama (USA).

“It feels super good to be back here at Malibu,” said Stewart. “The waves are fun, a little slow, but as they pick up it’ll get super fun. I’ve been training a bunch at DNA Performance with Bryce and working on a bunch of cardio, strength endurance, and fatigue. Just making sure that I’m on for this contest. With the right waves, I feel like I have a chance at winning it.”

“The whole heat I felt like I was just catching waves and having a blast,” said Blomfield. “I borrowed my friend’s board and liked it so much she sold it to me (laughs). I love the board I’m on, and the waves are so fun, and I’m very excited for tomorrow.”

Blomfield’s fellow World Title contender Kelis Kaleopa’a (HAW) also shined in both of her opening day heats as she styled her way directly into Round 3. Kaleopa’a is in her second consecutive World Title race and is looking for redemption and to take home her first World Title.

Current World No. 2’s Harrison Roach (AUS) and Taylor Jensen (USA) both earned their respective spots into Finals Day after masterful Seeding Round performances. A last-minute opportunity for Roach gave him the edge for the win in a nail-biting affair featuring 2019 WSL Longboard Champion Justin Quintal (USA) and Hawaii’s Keoki Saguibo.

“I knew that when waves like that come through they’re really worthwhile and to make the most out of them,” said Roach. “I was riding one of my models last year, and I felt like I was surfing my best but couldn’t get out of the high seven-point-ride range. They were looking for more hang-tens, and so I changed my equipment to give them that.”

“After twenty minutes of not getting a wave I was just thinking, ‘This is not happening right now,” said Errico. “I just needed an opportunity and then, thank God, a couple of sets came in. In my heart I knew they were going to come, every other heat had sets prior. It was super stressful, but I made it out. I do feel pressure, but it’s also very exciting because everyone I love is here.”

Prominent World Title contender Ben Skinner (GBR) also debuted with an excellent 8.00, with WSL Longboard Tour newcomer Tosh Tudor (USA) advancing over veteran Tony Silvagni (USA). Tudor showed full control while perched on the nose through critical sections of the wave and now looks to find his way to the Final here at Malibu.

Kai Sallas (HAW) also kept on pace to continue his search for a maiden World Title with a clutch debut win. A heart-racing moment for World Title contender Chloe Calmon (BRA) nearly witnessed the multiple Title runner-up face elimination, but a critical 7.10 turned the tide for her in the dying minutes against an in-form Sally Cohen (HAW).

A showdown of World Title spoilers unfolded in men’s Seeding Round 1, Heat 5 featuring Longboard Tour veterans Kevin Skvarna (USA) and Taka Inoue (JPN) taking on newcomer Declan Wyton (AUS). A flurry of opportunities pushed into First Point to offer a spectacle of world-class longboarding from each of the competitors, all posting 14-plus point heat totals, but it was Australia’s Wyton who stole the win with a 15.17.

“It was firing out there in my heat,” said Wyton. “It was a bit of a slow morning, but I’m gassed now. It was non-stop out there. At the moment the tide is really perfect, and the wave has a good pace on it, and it was easy to connect them through. I felt like I didn’t need to do much.”

Also, 2021 Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic winner, and 2021 World Title contender, Edouard Delpero (FRA) took over his opening heat against three-time WSL Longboard Champion Jensen and Peru’s Lucas Garrido Lecca. The Frenchman started the match with a brilliant 7.50 and 6.53 to eclipse his opponents’ opening rides.

While the top women held their ground, Mason Schremmer (USA) took down World Title contender Kaitlin Mikkelsen (USA) in their stout, Round of 16 battle.

Tomorrow, the remaining competitors will battle for the event win and the 2023 Longboard World Titles. The competition will start at 7:35 a.m. PDT with the men’s Round of 16, followed by the women’s and men’s Quarterfinals, women’s and men’s Semifinals. and women’s and men’s Finals.

For highlights from today’s competition at the Cuervo Classic Malibu Longboard Championship, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

Cuervo Classic Malibu Longboard Championship Men’s Seeding Round Results:
Heat 1: Edouard Delpero (FRA) 14.03,Taylor Jensen (USA) 13.06, Lucas Garrido Lecca (PER) 3.50
Heat 2: Harrison Roach (AUS) 11.33, Justin Quintal (USA) 8.60, Keoki Saguibo (HAW) 8.17
Heat 3: Kaniela Stewart (HAW) 16.67, Kaimana Takayama (USA) 8.43, Steven Sawyer (RSA) 6.47
Heat 4: Ben Skinner (GBR) 13.33, Tosh Tudor (USA) 10.73, Tony Silvagni (USA) 9.84
Heat 5: Declan Wyton (AUS) 15.17, Kevin Skvarna (USA) 14.16, Taka Inoue (JPN) 14.00
Heat 6: Kai Sallas (HAW) 11.83, Cole Robbins (USA) 11.03, Phil Rajzmn (BRA) 9.17

Cuervo Classic Malibu Longboard Championship Women’s Seeding Round Results:
Heat 1: Soleil Errico (USA) 11.17, Natsumi Taoka (JPN) 6.33, Victoria Vergara (FRA) 2.80
Heat 2: Chloe Calmon (BRA) 9.20, Sally Cohen (HAW) 7.23, Mason Schremmer (USA) 5.67
Heat 3: Honolua Blomfield (HAW) 14.10, Hiroka Yoshikawa (JPN) 12.33, Alice Lemoigne (FRA) 12.06
Heat 4: Rachael Tilly (USA) 9.60, Maria Fernanda Reyes (PER) 5.74, Avalon Gall (USA) 4.67
Heat 5: Kelis Kaleopa’a (HAW) 10.83, Sophia Culhane (HAW) 10.33, Zoe Grospiron (FRA) 7.54
Heat 6: Tully White (AUS) 12.17, Lindsay Steinriede (USA) 11.04, Kaitlin Mikkelsen (USA) 8.93