The Longboard Classic Galicia winds down towards the business end of the week with the event's Semifinalists decided in excellent surf.
The Longboard Classic Galicia ran through another massive day of action to select the last four surfers in contention for the title on Saturday. Competitors took on fun little lefts and rights all day and once again used the full length of their 9Ft+ boards to cruise through sections and post high scores.
Current World No. 1 Chloe Calmon put an end to young French surfer Zoe Grospiron's run in Pantin in the Quarters with a dominant display on a long left. The graceful Brazilian surfer has looked very comfortable in all her heats so far and is poised to post another strong result towards her bid for a first-ever World title.
In the second Quarter, big wave surfer, reigning European longboard Champion and all-around water woman Justine Dupont put together one of the best displays of nose riding to post a 14.33 and advance into the Semis ahead of Emily Lethbridge.
French surfer Justine Dupont drops a 7.50 to dominate her Quarterfinal matchup against Emily Lethbridge and advance into the Semis of the Longboard Classic Galicia.
"I'm stoked I was able to surf well and improve during the contest to fit the criteria better," she said. "I have a great support crew and people around me giving me great advice, I've even watched the replay and heard the commentators describe how I can do better so that's very helpful. I look forward to the next heat against Chloe, both of us are going to do our best and hopefully give a good show."
Former World Longboard Champion Rachael Tilly is clearly vying for a second crown as she reached the Semifinals for the second time this season, courtesy of her signature footwork to reach the nose of her board and the control she displayed racing down the line of the lefts of Pantin.
"That was a really fun heat and a tough Quarter against Avalon who's been posting the highest scores of the contest," she said. "It was just super nice to share waves with her and we had a great time out there."
Honolua Blomfield belts a near-excellent 7.83 to make her way into the Semifinals of the Longboard Classic Galicia where she'll be facing Rachael Tilly.
Another former World Champ Honolua Blomfield took out the final Quarter and will join Tilly in a major Semifinal clash when the event resumes.
When the men's Quarters paddled out, Edouard Delpero put on a clinic on nose riding as he faced one of the best in the business, Harrison Roach. The Frenchman who has been quite vocal recently about the scores he was getting, put everyone in agreement with an incredible display of control and grace on the nose. Delpero posted an incredible 16.17 heat total on his way to a Semifinal berth in Pantin.
"I've been struggling since the beginning of the contest so this definitely feels great," he said. "I got lucky with the waves I got and I had a great time hanging five and ten out there."
French talent Edouard Delpero finally clicks into gear as he hangs ten toes out for ever and claims an excellent 8.50 to defeat Harrison Roach in the Quarters of the Longboard Classic Galicia.
The second Quarterfinal was a clash for the ages between two of the most impressive surfers in the entire event so far, Kaniela Stewart and Justin Quintal. The Hawaiian started quick with a 7.83 on his opening ride but never to be counted out, the current World No. 1 Quintal came back in the fight with a never-ending left with multiple nose sections for an excellent 8.50 and the win into the Semis.
"Going into a heat with him (Kaniela Stewart) I knew that I would have to step it up," he said. "There was plenty of time left after his first good score but I was definitely behind the 8 ball from the get-go. I sort of knew or felt that that new peak closer to the rocks would start working a bit more and I was lucky to catch a few there."
Kai Sallas continued his dominant streak in Pantin and took out the third Quarter against an impressive Jefson Silva.
Young Japanese surfer Taka Inoue took out the final Quarter and will face tour veteran Sales in the second Semifinal.
The final call will be held at 1 p.m Saturday for a late afternoon finish and celebrations in Pantin.
The Longboard Classic Galicia is scheduled from August 28 - 31, 2019 at playa de Pantin, Galicia / Spain. For all results, photos, video highlights and press releases, log on to worldsurfleague.com.
Best Four Emerge at Longboard Classic Galicia
Nicolas Leroy
The Longboard Classic Galicia ran through another massive day of action to select the last four surfers in contention for the title on Saturday. Competitors took on fun little lefts and rights all day and once again used the full length of their 9Ft+ boards to cruise through sections and post high scores.
Current World No. 1 Chloe Calmon put an end to young French surfer Zoe Grospiron's run in Pantin in the Quarters with a dominant display on a long left. The graceful Brazilian surfer has looked very comfortable in all her heats so far and is poised to post another strong result towards her bid for a first-ever World title.
In the second Quarter, big wave surfer, reigning European longboard Champion and all-around water woman Justine Dupont put together one of the best displays of nose riding to post a 14.33 and advance into the Semis ahead of Emily Lethbridge.
"I'm stoked I was able to surf well and improve during the contest to fit the criteria better," she said. "I have a great support crew and people around me giving me great advice, I've even watched the replay and heard the commentators describe how I can do better so that's very helpful. I look forward to the next heat against Chloe, both of us are going to do our best and hopefully give a good show."
Former World Longboard Champion Rachael Tilly is clearly vying for a second crown as she reached the Semifinals for the second time this season, courtesy of her signature footwork to reach the nose of her board and the control she displayed racing down the line of the lefts of Pantin.
"That was a really fun heat and a tough Quarter against Avalon who's been posting the highest scores of the contest," she said. "It was just super nice to share waves with her and we had a great time out there."
Another former World Champ Honolua Blomfield took out the final Quarter and will join Tilly in a major Semifinal clash when the event resumes.
When the men's Quarters paddled out, Edouard Delpero put on a clinic on nose riding as he faced one of the best in the business, Harrison Roach. The Frenchman who has been quite vocal recently about the scores he was getting, put everyone in agreement with an incredible display of control and grace on the nose. Delpero posted an incredible 16.17 heat total on his way to a Semifinal berth in Pantin.
"I've been struggling since the beginning of the contest so this definitely feels great," he said. "I got lucky with the waves I got and I had a great time hanging five and ten out there."
The second Quarterfinal was a clash for the ages between two of the most impressive surfers in the entire event so far, Kaniela Stewart and Justin Quintal. The Hawaiian started quick with a 7.83 on his opening ride but never to be counted out, the current World No. 1 Quintal came back in the fight with a never-ending left with multiple nose sections for an excellent 8.50 and the win into the Semis.
"Going into a heat with him (Kaniela Stewart) I knew that I would have to step it up," he said. "There was plenty of time left after his first good score but I was definitely behind the 8 ball from the get-go. I sort of knew or felt that that new peak closer to the rocks would start working a bit more and I was lucky to catch a few there."
Kai Sallas continued his dominant streak in Pantin and took out the third Quarter against an impressive Jefson Silva.
Young Japanese surfer Taka Inoue took out the final Quarter and will face tour veteran Sales in the second Semifinal.
The final call will be held at 1 p.m Saturday for a late afternoon finish and celebrations in Pantin.
The Longboard Classic Galicia is scheduled from August 28 - 31, 2019 at playa de Pantin, Galicia / Spain. For all results, photos, video highlights and press releases, log on to worldsurfleague.com.
Taka Inoue
One of Japan's most stylish competitors, Taka Inoue, put his form on full display for an excellent 16.07 heat total to surge into the Round
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Calmon and Quintal keep their 2019 track-record immaculate with back-to-back wins in Galicia.
Galicia Longboard Classic
The Old Continent's role on the worldwide surf stage has just taken a massive leap forward with huge points up-for-grabs.
Chloe Calmon and Justin Quintal claim the 2019 Longboard Classic Galicia in epic fashion on Finals Day.
The Longboard Classic Galicia winds down towards the business end of the week with the event's Semifinalists decided in excellent surf.
Sam Bleakley and Shannon Hughes talk over all the best moments of the third day of action at the Longboard Classic Galicia in Pantin.