Ingleby Wins Second World Longboard Title

Harley Ingleby (AUS) defeated Phil Rajzman (BRA) to claim his second ASP World Longboard Title at the GoPro World Longboard Championships, China presented by Wanning (WLC). Pumping typhoon swell and offshore winds produced perfectly groomed waves in the 3-to-4 foot range for the world's best longboarders to battle it out for the Title.

Harley Ingleby carving to another ASP World Longboard Title. - WSL / Will H-S

It's been five years since Ingleby won his first ASP World Longboard Title and now he's realized the dream of securing a second crown. Ingleby lost his Round 1 non-elimination heat as he struggled to adjust to the waves of Riyue Bay Point. From Round 2 on, Ingleby's confidence grew, storming his way through to the event Final.

“This is the best feeling in the world!” Ingleby said. “Winning my first Title was more of a relief, but this one feels incredible. Phil (Rajzman) has been on fire all event, at one point in the Final he only needed a 4.50 to take the lead and since he's been posting 8s and 9s all week — I was so nervous. I had a bad start to the event and some heats I just needed to grind out. In the Final everything went my way and I'm still in shock. It's great to have won, all of the surfers in this event are so talented, I look up to them all. I've been working with ASP as the surfer rep to get this event going and I'd like to get more events up and running and, hopefully, leave the sport in a better state than when I joined it.”

Phil Rajzman committed to the nose. - WSL / Will H-S

Rajzman won the ASP World Longboard Title in 2007 and, today, came very close to securing his second. He dropped massive scores all week on China's long lefts at this year's GoPro WLC. Razjman has worked hard to prepare for this event, traveling and training with fellow Brazilian Chloe Calmon.

“I came here to win, but unfortunately I lost and that's a part of the game,” Rajzman said. “Harley (Ingleby) is such an awesome surfer and I'm happy to see him win. I want to thank Chloe Calmon for traveling, training and surfing with me all year, it really helped me improve and get to where I am right now.”

Harley Ingleby king of Riyue Bay. - WSL / Will H-S

Antoine Delpero (FRA) scored the event's only perfect 10-point-ride in his Quarterfinal loss to Rajzman. Delpero caught the best wave that came though all day and proceeded to unload classic turns and stylish nose rides. But with only a 6.00 backup, he was eliminated by the seemingly unstoppable Rajzman.

“That wave was insane!” Delpero said. “It was quite hard to pick which waves were going to be good today, but that one lined up all the way to the inside and offered sections for carves, and nose rides. I'm disappointed to be out of the event, but happy to have had really good waves.”

Watch Antoine Delpero's (FRA) Perfect 10

Antoine Delpero (FRA) scored the only Perfect 10 in the Quarterfinal of the World Longboard Championships, China presented by Wanning.

Justin Quintal (USA) finished equal 3rd after going down to Rajzman in the Semifinals. He was the event dark horse and flew through the draw, making a name for himself as one of the most classically styled surfers in the event.

The GoPro World Longboard Championships China, hosted by Wanning, runs through December 12. News, results, images and video highlights can be found here.