• World Title Contenders Harrison Roach, Kai Sallas, Kevin Skvarna Shine
• Will Honolua win another Title in the Quarters? (front page image WSL/Ito)
• Women’s World Title Race Narrows with Honolua Blomfield Leading the Charge
• Watch Tomorrow’s Finals Day LIVE Starting at 7:35 AM PDT (435am HI Time)

“To be honest I don’t really have nerves in contests and just try to have fun,” said Blomfield. “I love surfing and I love competing. Now I’m just taking it one step at a time and it’s exciting to be going for a World Title again. It was pretty small today but I got a few so I’m stoked.”

If Blomfield wins her Quarterfinal heat, she will be crowned the 2020/21’ WSL Longboard Champion – becoming the youngest 3x WSL Longboard Champion in history.

Malibu’s own Soleil Errico overcame young talents Mahina Akaka (HAW) and Avalon Gall (USA) with a brilliant 6.67 showcasing her quick footwork and wrapping carves to stay perfectly positioned throughout the wave. The 2018 WSL Longboard Champion then faced Elimination Round 2 standout Zoe Graspiron (FRA) in a low-scoring affair heading into the halfway mark. The French competitor, however, turned it on towards the end of their duel and garnered a 7.33, securing her victory over the World Title contender.

“It’s one of my best results so far and I’m really stoked,” expressed Graspiron. “It was very hard because it was Soleil (that I was competing against). She is a very tough competitor but I had no pressure, nothing to lose so I just went out there and had fun.”

Two-time World Longboard runner-up Chloe Calmon (BRA) earned a big win in Round 3 over Hawaii’s Haley Otto to keep her hopes of finally clinching a World Title alive after narrowly avoiding an Elimination Round 2 appearance.

Current No. 2 Kelis Kaleopa’a (HAW) advanced into Round 3 behind Lindsay Steinriede (USA) but the 16-year-old World Title contender’s hopes were dashed by one of her role models, 2x WSL Longboard Champion Kelia Moniz (HAW) in a brilliant showcase.

Men’s World Title up for Grabs

An absolute superheat unfolded in Round 1 Heat 5 featuring two-time WSL Longboard Champion Joel Tudor (USA), current No. 1 Edouard Delpero (FRA), and WSL Longboard Champion Steven Sawyer (ZAF). Sawyer’s impressive style and drop-knee turn garnered the South African an impressive 7.33 and, along with Tudor, dismantled Delpero into the Elimination Round 2.

Following that bout, Delpero had to face Brazilian duo Jefson Silva and Rodrigo Sphaier in a must-win scenario. But, Sphaier capitalized in the dying minutes to secure a 6.33 and overtake second-place behind an in-form Silva – dispatching the World Title frontrunner.

“I just stuck to my heat strategy to wait for the best waves and it worked out in that heat,” explained Silva. “I just tried to stay patient and do my best when the waves came. It was a crazy heat with Edouard (Delpero) being at the top and surfing against Rodrigo for so long, he’s such a good competitor. That was a big heat for me.”

World Title contender Harrison Roach (AUS) came into this event at No. 2 and showed his poise under pressure with a big Round 1 win, and now leads the rankings with Delpero’s elimination. But, the Australian is joined by heavy-hitters such as 3x WSL Longboard Champion Taylor Jensen (USA), 2x WSL Longboard Champion Joel Tudor (USA), Longboard Tour veteran Kai Sallas (HAW), and more.

Sallas showed his prowess in the lineup for an immaculate 15.00 heat total in his Malibu debut against fellow long-time competitors Ben Skinner (GBR) and former WSL Longboard Champion Phil Rajzman (BRA), who was later eliminated in Round 2. Though the Oahu, Hawaii competitor needs a lot of scenarios to play in his favor, the opportunity for his maiden World Title lies before him with more showcases such as today’s.

“Me, Ben (Skinner), and Phil (Rajzman) have been doing this a long time so we’ve had a lot of good heats together,” expressed Sallas. “There’s a lot of new faces on the Tour now so it’s pretty funny we all got matched up but we had consistent waves which was really nice. Malibu’s such a good wave to noseride and that was my goal no matter what came was just to get a good noseride.”

Event Threats Emerge with Brilliant Showcases 

Naomi Taoka (JPN) 12.00 heat total – overtaking two-time World Title runner-up Chloe Calmon (BRA) and Sophia Culhane (HAW). The lone women’s Japanese competitor went on to post another brilliant 6.67 as she eliminated Australia’s sole athlete Tully White.

Kirra Seale (HAW) stunned those in attendance with her brilliant surfing, notching a solid 13.10 heat total in Round 3, despite having a broken foot. The North Shore, Oahu, athlete showed her grace despite the pain and finds herself into the Quarterfinals for just the third time in a WSL event.

“I actually broke my foot on Thursday so I didn’t know if I was going to be able to compete,” laughed Seale. “But the doctor said I couldn’t make it worse so as long as I could handle the pain I was good to go. I’m really happy to be here and competing after not knowing for a few days.”

Oceanside, California’s Tour veteran Kevin Skvarna found himself locked into a battle with Brazilian talent Augusto Olinto and reigning WSL Longboard Champion Justin Quintal (USA). Skvarna’s last-minute effort earned him a 5.33 and a close heat win, sending Quintal to Elimination Round 2, where he earned a big Heat 1 win, to keep pace with fellow World Title contenders though a tall order as he currently has 7,500 points to build upon.

CLICK HERE FOR WOMEN’S OPENING DAY RESULTS

CLICK HERE FOR MEN’S OPENING DAY RESULTS

Watch LIVE
The Jeep Malibu Classic presented by Havaianas will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app tomorrow starting at 7:30 a.m. PDT. Also, check local listings for coverage from the WSL’s broadcast partners.

The WSL Longboard Tour is proudly supported by partners Jeep, Havaianas, Hydro Flask, Expedia, Athletic Brewing, US Army, Aviator Nation, and Firewire.

COVID-19 Updates
The health and safety of athletes, staff, and the local community are of the utmost importance and the WSL has a robust set of COVID safety plans in place to keep everyone safe. These plans are unique to each event.

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.a