FISTRAL BEACH, Cornwall - England (Sunday, August 11, 2024) - The World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 1,000 BYD Pro and Longbaord Qualifying Series (LQS) 1,000 Wild West Jerky Longboard Pro crowned the 2024 winners today at Fistral Beach, Cornwall in the best conditions all week long at the Boardmasters Open. With clean and fun waves on offer on a beautiful British summer's day, it was an exciting end to the week for competitors and spectators alike.
British surfing history was made when Lukas Skinner (GBR) won the BYD Pro, the first-time ever that a British surfer won the Boardmasters event. It was also the first-time ever that two surfers from Great Britain competed in a WSL QS final, with Patrick Langdon-Dark (WAL) finishing runner-up.
Tya Zebrowski - WSL / Laurent Masurel
Career-best Result for Zebrowski, Skinner Makes British Surfing History
Tahiti's Tya Zebrowski (FRA) made her first-ever QS final at Fistral Beach, but she had to take on Noah Klapp (GER) who has been one of the standout surfers at the BYD Pro. The ocean seemed to take a quick reset as there were no waves coming through for a long time at the start of the heat. Klapp then decided to have a go and clocked in the first score on the board for three strong turns on her backhand for a 7.00 (out of a possible 10). Zebrowski opened her campaign with an excellent 8.07 going on her frontside, throwing buckets of spray for two huge turns. Both surfers struggled to find a second scoring ride, and Klapp made some unfortunate errors which gave Zebrowski the advantage. She opted to go on a smaller wave and with her fast and powerful forehand turns she earned a 7.23 to take out her first-ever QS win at just 13-years-old.
"It feels so good to win my first QS event, I'm so happy," Zebrowski said. "The heat was really slow and it was a lot of pressure. I just wanted to go out there and have fun, and get the best waves. I was nervous at the end when Noah could have gotten the score but luckily for me a wave didn't come through."
Zebrowski takes an early lead on the European QS rankings heading to France for the next stop on tour.
Lukas Skinner - WSL / Laurent Masurel
It was an all-British Final featuring Patrick Langdon-Dark (WAL) and Cornwall local Lukas Skinner (GBR), and both surfers really impressed during the week at Fistral Beach. Langdon-Dark was the first to strike with a quick backside reverse, but Skinner got the better of the exchange with three quick frontside turns. Skinner seemed to be on a different energy level, improving his score with a 6.93 for a fast frontside snap and an air into the end section.
Spurred on by the crowds on the beach, Skinner was up and riding again, racing down the line for a big frontside air for a clean landing in the flats to get a 7.43. But Langdon-Dark wasn't giving up that easily and found the best wave of the heat for three huge backside turns to get an excellent 8.07. It wasn't enough to take the lead, and the two friends congratulated each other as the seconds counted down, and Skinner earned his first-ever QS win in front of his friends and family.
"I have no words," an emotional Skinner said as his dad, Ben Skinner embraced him on the shore. "Thanks to my Dad, thanks for all the support from everyone on the beach." A career-best result for the 16-year-old who also made history, being the first British surfer to win the Boardmasters event.
"The final was really tricky. Pat is such a good mate and such a good competitor. That last minute was the most nervous I've ever been, all I could do was sit and wait. I'm stoked to finally get the win, I've had some tough results lately but it only made me stronger. Winning at home is even better, this is the best day of my life."
Alice Lemoigne - WSL / Laurent Masurel
Lemoigne and Delpero Continue to Dominate at Fistral Beach
There's no denying Alice Lemoigne (FRA) has a special connection to Cornish waters as she earned her sixth Boardmasters title at the Wild West Jerky Longboard Pro today. Lemoigne stayed patient, being very selective with her wave choice but once she got started, she kept on improving her score. She glided into a great wave with lots of open face ahead, and with a combination of turns and stylish nose rides she earned an excellent 9.00. The former World Longboard Champion found another great wave a for a long nose ride, gracefully hanging ten with a soulful arch to get a 7.83 to put the rest of the field in a combination situation with a total of 16.83 (out of a possible 20). With this win, Lemoigne adds an incredible sixth Boardmasters title to her trophy shelf.
"It feels great," Lemoigne reacted. "I'm super stoked to get some good waves. It felt like a free surf out there! Cornwall is such a special place for me here, congrats to all the girls it was a great event and thanks to everyone for coming out to support."
Ginger Caimi (ITA) was pipped in the dying seconds for second place when Ophelie Ah-Kouen (FRA) found a buzzer-beater to finish runner-up, with Zoe Grospiron (FRA) finishing fourth.
Edouard Delpero - WSL / Laurent Masurel
Fellow countryman Edouard Delpero (FRA) joined Lemoigne in the record books with his sixth Boardmasters title to win the Wild West Jerky Longboard Pro. It was an exciting final as the lead changed hands several times. Antonio Dantas (POR) wasted no time to get started, gliding into a great wave, cross-stepping across his board all the way to the nose for a 7.67 and setting the bar for the men's Final. Defending event winner Edouard Delpero (FRA) started building on his score, finding a long wave to display his quick footwork with stylish nose rides, finishing right on the shore for a 7.27.
Local favourite Ben Skinner (GBR) finally got into his rhythm and with his soulful nose rides held the lead going into the last five minutes of the heat, with the crowds erupting in support. But Delpero was not done, and he rolled into his best wave of the heat for a long nose ride to get a 7.50 and take the win. Meanwhile, Dantas improved on his score right at the end to finish runner-up, bumping Skinner down to third and Martin Coret finishing (FRA) in fourth.
"I'm so happy!" Delpero said. "It was such a tight battle in that final. I just had to believe that there would be one more wave to come my way, because I didn't have priority. I'm so stoked. Thanks for all the support, congrats to everyone."
QS competitors will now head to Lacanau in France for the next stop on the European QS calendar, the Caraïbos Lacanau Pro.