WSL Longboard Classic, day three: World’s best longboarders book finals tickets

MAJOR upsets and tight battles were the common theme on day three of the Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic presented by Rip Curl.

Today’s blustery two to four-feet conditions delivered a tricky task for the world’s best longboarders to show their style and book a spot on finals day.

Three-time World Longboard Tour (WLT) champion Taylor Jensen (USA) carried on his momentum from his dominant first round heat, with a display of powerful critical surfing in the Bells Beach bowl to start off the round of 16.

 

Jensen put Kai Ellice-Flint (AUS) in a combination situation of requiring two new scores early in the matchup and didn’t look back, landing a colossal eight-point ride on his last wave.

Wildcard Landen Smales (AUS) showed maturity far beyond his years to oust world number one Kaniela Stewart (HAW) in the fifth heat of the day, in one of the biggest upsets of the 2023 World Longboard Tour season.

With a spot in the quarterfinals up in the balance, Smales scored a clutch 6.03 on one of the cleaner waves of the morning to spoil Stewart’s bid ti claim back-to-back event wins to start the season.

 

“I’m so stoked to beat the current number one,” Smales said.

“It was kind of tricky out there but I got it done.

“I guess I was just trying to show the world what I can do and prove everyone wrong.”

 

Smales’ compatriot Declan Wyton (AUS) also booked a spot in the quarterfinals, while internationals Take Inoue (JPN), Tony Silvagni (USA), Kai Sallas (HAW), Edouard Delpero (FRA) and Ben Skinner (GBR) also advanced.

On the women’s side of the draw, 2021 WLT champion Honolua Blomfield (HAW) and American Avalon Gall (USA) scored some of the top rides of the day for effortless footwork and noseriding.

 

The former was able to advance from her all-American showdown with 2015 WLT champion Rachael Tilly, thanks to one of the highest scores of the day, a 7.33-point ride.

During the following heat, Natsumi Taoka (JPN) caused the day’s second big upset and defeat Hawaiian style-master and current rankings leader Kelis Kaleopaa (HAW) to move through to finals day.

 

“I’m so happy to get the win,” Taoka said.

“I was so nervous before the heat, but I talked to myself and calmed myself down so I could just do what I want to do.

“I missed a couple of the big sets, but I waited for the good ones, so I’m so stoked.”

Other women to book a spot in the quarterfinals included Mason Schremmer (USA), Alice Lemoigne (FRA), Sophia Culnane (USA), Chloe Calmon (BRA).

For more of today’s highlights, results and information from the Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic, visit WorldSurfLeague.com

The next call for competition will be tomorrow (Saturday, September 2), at 7:15am AEST for a potential 7:35am start.

Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic Presented by Rip Curl Men’s Quarterfinal Matchups:

HEAT 1: Taylor Jensen (USA) vs. Taka Inoue (JPN)

HEAT 2: Tony Silvagni (USA) vs. Kai Sallas (HAW)

HEAT 3: Landen Smales (AUS) vs. Edouard Delpero (FRA)

HEAT 4: Declan Wyton (AUS) vs. Ben Skinner (GBR)

Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic Presented by Rip Curl Women’s Quarterfinal Matchups:

HEAT 1: Honolua Blomfield (HAW) vs. Mason Schremmer (USA)

HEAT 2: Soleil Errico (USA) vs. Avalon Gall (USA)

HEAT 3: Natsumi Taoka (JPN) vs. Alice Lemoigne (FRA)

HEAT 4: Sophia Culhane (HAW) vs. Chloe Calmon (BRA)Landen Smales (AUS) caused one of the biggest upsets over world number one Kaniela Stewart (HAW).