FISTRAL BEACH, Cornwall - England (Sunday, August 13, 2023) - The Qualifying Series (QS) 1,000 Animal Pro and Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) 1,000 Reef Longboard Pro crowned their 2023 winners today in three-to-five foot surf at Fistral beach to wrap the surfing events at Boardmasters.
The final day of competition resumed around lunchtime and ran through the four categories' Semifinals on the incoming tide with continued solid conditions and a lot of energy in the lineup. By the time the Finals came around, the tide had come right up into the heart of Fistral giving the crowds an excellent point of view from the Boardmasters beach bar to witness all the action.
Yolanda Hopkins (POR) - WSL / Laurent Masurel
Hopkins Continues to Write Boardmasters History, Claims First-Ever Three-Peat
In a battle of epic proportions with British rising star Alys Barton, the reigning European Champion Yolanda Hopkins managed to fend off her opponent to claim the first-ever three-peat at the Animal Pro today. Although the Portuguese started the Final with a dominant combination of two waves, Barton came back in the fight with an excellent 8.83 (out of a possible 10), the highest single score of the entire event, but unfortunately could not find a back-up score and had to settle for second.
Hopkins adds a third consecutive win at Fistral after 2019 and 2022, her career-fifth win on the QS and takes an early lead in the race for the 2023-2024 European title and qualification for the Challenger Series (CS).
"I love coming here to Fistral, it's always such a good vibe!" Hopkins said. "It's lovely to do a hat trick! I loved the waves we got and I'm stoked I got some good scores and some good poundings. I've got family here that I don't visit often so I look forward to spending time with loved ones and taking a good rest now."
Kai Odriozola (ESP) - WSL / Laurent Masurel
Odriozola Claims Career-First QS Win at Boardmasters
In a somewhat slow Final, Kai Odriozola and Ido Arkin fought in a wave-starved heat and tried to milk every opportunity. Both surfers were unsuccessful on aerial maneuvers on their first few attempts, and eventually it was the basque surfer Odriozola who found the best scoring opportunity in the tricky lineup.
The young San Sebastian surfer appeared in his second Final of a QS and this time managed to convert for a first win on the professional tour at only 17 years old.
"I'm super stoked to take my first win on the QS today," Odriozola stated. "We've had a little bit of everything this week and it was good to compete in challenging conditions. I'm not looking too far ahead, I haven't set crazy goals for this season so I'm just going to try to keep my momentum and enjoy the next few events. My brother and I almost made the Final together so hopefully we get to do that in another event!"
Alice Lemoigne (FRA) - WSL / Laurent Masurel
Lemoigne Continues to Dominate at Fistral, Adds Fifth Boardmasters Win
The former runner-up in the world, Alice Lemoigne continued to demonstrate her superiority in the Cornish waters as she absolutely dominated the Reef Longboard Pro women's Final with an excellent 8.67 amongst her counting scores. Her opponents Zoe Grospiron, Emily Currie and Carlota Jauregui were never really in a position to threaten the French for the win and Lemoigne added another impressive line to her resume.
The Reunion Island native became the first surfer to claim five victories at Boardmasters, but only briefly enjoyed the standalone record as she was joined in the last heat of the day by Edouard Delpero who equaled the feat. This result marks Lemoigne's 10th victory on the professional longboard tours.
"We didn't really know what to expect with this forecast but it turns out we had really enjoyable conditions so I'm stoked to get the win today," Lemoigne said. "I love coming back here every year and it feels like Fistral is returning the love to me so I'm very happy. The longboard tour is really cool at the moment and I'm super stoked to be a part of it. I hope I can qualify for the finals at Malibu again this year."
Edouard Delpero (FRA) - WSL / Laurent Masurel
Delpero Atop Podium at Boardmasters Once More, Grabs Own Fifth Win
The French surfer from Biarritz, Edouard Delpero also managed to claim a fifth win on the Cornish coast, defeating compatriot Martin Coret as well as Jon Garmendia Gonzalez and Ignacio Pignataro in the event's Final.
In a friendly battle with his own brother for the most wins on tour, Edouard went one better than Antoine, both surfers having won four times before today at Fistral. This marks Edouard's 12th professional win to date.
"I'm beyond just happy with this win and it means a lot to me," an emotional Delpero stated. "I have faced many challenges in the last couple of years with injuries, travel issues and some difficult results so I'm stoked to get the win today and it gives me a good confidence boost ahead of the next event at Bells Beach coming up."
While the European LQS takes a hiatus from competition for now, the QS continues as pros head over to France to compete at the upcoming Caraïbos Lacanau Pro next week.
Boardmasters Open surfing events were scheduled from August 9-13, 2023 at Fistral Beach, Cornwall - England and registrations are now open. For all results, 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.
REEF LONGBOARD PRO MEN'S FINAL RESULTS:
1 - Edouard Delpero (FRA) 15.84
2 - Martin Coret (REU) 13.76
3 - Jon Garmendia Gonzalez (EUK) 12.13
4 - Ignacio Pignataro (URY) 9.60
REEF LONGBOARD PRO WOMEN'S FINAL RESULTS:
1 - Alice Lemoigne (FRA) 13.80
2 - Emily Currie (GBR) 10.74
3 - Zoe Grospiron (FRA) 8.70
4 - Carlota Jauregui (ESP) 4.74
ANIMAL PRO MEN'S FINAL RESULTS:
1 - Kai Odriozola (ESP) 10.83
2 - Ido Arkin (ISR) 8.56
ANIMAL PRO WOMEN'S FINAL RESULTS:
1 - Yolanda Hopkins (POR) 13.40
2 - Alys Barton (GBR) 12.36