- Women’s Qualifying Round Underway, Men Await Their Debut
- Top 8 Up for Grabs to Earn Finals Day Spots
- 2018 WSL Longboard Champion Soleil Errico Leads the Way in Heat 1
- More Available at www.WorldSurfLeague.com
LEMOORE, Calif./USA (Tuesday, September 28, 2021) – The World Surf League (WSL) Longboard Tour is back with the Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic September 28 – 29. Qualifying Round competition for women is underway for some of the world’s best. Men’s Qualifying Round will be broadcast live beginning at 8:30am PDT Wednesday, September 29, with all 18 competitors awaiting their first scoring rides. Great performances from the women are unfolding throughout their Qualifying Round as they compete for their spot into the Top 8, which will be decided by day’s end.
Updated Cuervo Surf Ranch Format
Due to maintenance on the machine pushing competition back, the format has changed following the men’s and womens’ Qualifying Round. Each surfer will still receive two rights and two lefts in the Qualifying Round to determine the leaderboard standings. However, now the respective Top 8 will be narrowed down to the Top 4 competitors vying for the event titles in the Final.
Surfer’s practice rounds were moved to this morning and women’s Round 1 will be completed by day’s end. But, some of the next generation and former WSL Champion Soleil Errico (USA) have locked in their two scoring rides and await their fate as more of the world’s best make their debuts later today.
Errico’s poise and style on the nose through the offshore wind blowing up the face of the righthander to garner an excellent 8.90 (out of a possible 10) before posting a 6.67 on the left to accrue an immaculate 15.57 (out of a possible 20) – not improving on either score in her second run. The Malibu, California, competitor’s experience at the Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic specialty event in 2020 gave her confidence coming into familiar territory.
“It’s always nerve racing out there,” expressed Errico. “It’s quiet and there’s no one out there but you, it’s all you. I’m just thankful I was here at the last Cuervo event and I think that really helped me, and I think I just need to trust my surfing. (This wave) will never be the same every time so you have to adapt. A big result here would mean everything. I’ve been working really hard and to win this event and the World Title would be great.”
But, plenty of competitors are competing at this wave for the first time, including remaining Heat 1 surfers Mahina Akaka (HAW), Tully White (AUS), Sophia Culhane (USA), Kirra Seale (HAW), and LT veteran Alice Lemoigne (FRA).
Australian talent White, 21, started her LT career in 2017 and now finds herself among the world’s best longboarders in search of World Titles. Her ability to maneuver through the wave and keep her footwork moving garnered a 10.04 heat total as she currently sits at No. 3 on the leaderboard.
“It’s amazing to be here and there’s so many Australians that rip who couldn’t be so I feel like I’m carrying them on my shoulders,” said White. “Once you get over the initial nerves and buzz of actually being here, and focusing on the wave, it’s really special. I feel like I settled into it compared to the practice waves this morning and I’m so excited to have this opportunity.”
Making their debuts later today, two-time WSL Longboard Champions Honolua Blomfield (HAW) and Kelia Moniz (HAW), two-time World Title runner-up Chloe Calmon (BRA), and more look to solidify their chances of a finals day appearance.
Women’s Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic Current Leaderboard:
1. Soleil Errico (USA) 15.67
2. Alice Lemoigne (FRA) 12.97
3. Tully White (AUS) 10.04
4. Kirra Seale (HAW) 9.44
5. Sophia Culhane (USA) 9.30
6.Mahina Akaka (HAW) 8.57
7. TBD
8. TBD
CLICK HERE FOR FULL RESULTS FROM WOMEN’S QUALIFYING ROUND
Tomorrow’s Schedule:
The men’s Qualifying Round begins at 7:08am PDT with the live broadcast beginning at 8:30am PDT to cover all the action through to the Finals beginning at 5:00pm PDT. Some of the world’s best are on deck with the full list of competitors below:
Justin Quintal (USA)
Rodrigo Sphaier (BRA)
Taylor Jensen (USA)
Kaniela Stewart (HAW)
Kai Sallas (HAW)
Steven Sawyer (ZAF)
Harrison Roach (AUS)
Tony Silvagni (USA)
Ben Skinner (GBR)
Edouard Delpero (FRA)
Lucas Garrido Lecca (PER)
Taka Inoue (JPN)
Cole Robbins (USA)
Jefson Silva (BRA)
Phil Rajzman (BRA)
Joel Tudor (USA)
Kevin Skvarna (USA)
Augusto Olinto (BRA)
Watch LIVE
The Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, September 29 at 7:00am PDT. Also, check local listings for coverage from the WSL’s broadcast partners.
The WSL Longboard Tour is proudly supported by our partners Jose Cuervo, Jeep, Havaianas, Hydro Flask , Athletic Brewing, US Army, Aviator Nation, Firewire, and Flying Embers.
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.