Semifinalists Decided at Jeep Longboard Championships

The Jeep World Longboard Championships hosted by Wanning has run through the remaining four heats of women's Round 2, Round 3 and the Quarterfinals, narrowing the field down to four deserving Semifinalists.

With clean 2-to-3-foot waves running down the point at Riyue Bay the action was intense all day as Crystal Dzigas (HAW), Chelsea Williams (AUS), Chloe Calmon(BRA) and Rachael Tilly(USA) moved through into the Semifinals.

During last year's event, Dzigas was eliminated in Quarterfinals so she is already en route to her best result at the World Championships.

"I can't believe I'm in the Semis," Dzigas said. "Every time Tory (Gilkerson) would take off on a wave it was terrifying because she could easily have been getting an 8.00 or 9.00. I felt a lot better during this heat than I did in my earlier one."

Williams, the reigning women's World Longboard Champion, continued her good form, pulling into a rare Riyue Bay barrel during Round 3 and completing long hang tens during her Quarterfinal appearance, doing it all seemingly with ease.

"I had so much fun out there," Williams said. "I forgot it was a heat and just stayed relaxed and surfed. I really wanted to mix it up and show some variety and the waves allowed me to show my bag of tricks. I had a lot of fun which is what it's all about."

Arriving in Riyue Bay weeks before the event paid off for Brazilian Calmon. She looked unstoppable as she hung ten beautifully down the line during her heats.

"It was a really difficult heat," Calmon said. "I've been competing with Atlanta (Nascimento) for so many years and we've had so many battles. She has been ripping all contests. The waves are really good at the moment but I still needed to be careful with my wave choice."

Tilly was the last Semifinalist to be decided. The young competitor has been in the best form of her short career. Tilly is managing a lot here in China, as she still has school assignments to work on after a full day of competition.

"I am so excited to have made it this far," Tilly said. "This is my third time at this event and I haven't made it past the second round before so I'm stoked to be in the Semifinals. My board feels really good so I'm looking forward to surfing again tomorrow."

Check back at 7:30 a.m. local time for the official call and potentially the crowning of a new women's World Longboard Champion. Watch LIVE action at www.worldsurfleague.com or on the WSL App.