WSL Longboard Classic, day two: World’s best flex muscles at Bells Beach

INTERNATIONAL stars dominated the field on day two of the 2023 Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic presented by Rip Curl, as eliminations began to trim the field.

Thursday’s action saw both the men’s and women’s competitors take to the water in clean two to three-foot waves at Rincon for the elimination rounds.

Sophia Culhane (HAW) kicked off the morning with a strong display of critical surfing to book her spot in the round of 16.

Former world number one Chloe Calmon (BRA), Tully White (AUS) and Avalon Gall (USA) all followed suit with high scores for incredible footwork in the elimination round.

Other women’s elimination round winners included Maya Glasenapp (REU), Keani Canullo (HAW), Zoe Grospiron (FRA) and Kirra Molnar (AUS) also advanced.

With conditions deteriorating and a strong onshore wind on the rise, the men’s elimination round tested who could stay smooth in the tricky conditions.

Tony Silvagni (USA) improved his chances of securing a strong result at Bells Beach, nabbing two near-excellent scores to cruise past WSL trials winner Jack Tyro (NZL).

Cole Robbins (USA), Rogelio Jr Esquievel (PHL), Steven Sawyer (RSA) and Kaimana Takayama (USA) also secured strong heat totals to advance to surf against the top seeds.

Other men’s elimination round winners to surf into the round of 16 included Kevin Skvarna (USA), Richie Cravey (USA) and Kai Ellice-Flint (AUS).

Local heroes Ben Considine, Molly Powell and the Mornington Peninsula’s Sam Dunton were all eliminated during the elimination rounds.

Today’s surfing action followed on from an exciting opening day of the event on Wednesday.

Household names dominated the men’s opening round including three-time world champion Taylor Jensen (USA), Declan Wyton (AUS), Kaniela Stewart (HAW) and Taka Inoue (JPN) who each claimed wins.

On the women’s side it was world champions Soleil Errico (USA), Honulua Blomfield (HAW) and Rachael Tilly (USA) who all staked their authority and booked a spot in the round of 16.

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

The next call for competition will be tomorrow (Friday, September 1) at 7:15am, for a potential 7:35am start.

Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic Presented by Rip Curl Women’s Round of 16 Matchups:

HEAT 1: Honolua Blomfield (HAW) vs. Maya Glasenapp (REU)
HEAT 2: Mason Schremmer (USA) vs. Zoe Grospiron (FRA)
HEAT 3: Soleil Errico (USA) vs. Keani Canullo (HAW)
HEAT 4: Rachael Tilly (USA) vs. Avalon Gall (USA)
HEAT 5: Kelis Kaleopaa (HAW) vs. Natsumi Taoka (JPN)
HEAT 6: Alice Lemoigne (FRA) vs. Tully White (AUS)
HEAT 7: Sophia Culhane (HAW) vs. Kirra Molnar (AUS)
HEAT 8: Chloe Calmon (BRA) vs. Kaitlin Mikkelsen (USA)

Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic Presented by Rip Curl Men’s Round of 16 Matchups:

HEAT 1: Taylor Jensen (USA) vs. Kai Ellice-Flint (AUS)
HEAT 2: Taka Inoue (JPN) vs. Kevin Skvarna (USA)
HEAT 3: Tony Silvagni (USA) vs. Kaimana Takayama (USA)
HEAT 4: Kai Sallas (HAW) vs. Richie Cravey (USA)
HEAT 5: Kaniela Stewart (HAW) vs. Landen Smales (AUS)
HEAT 6: Edouard Delpero (FRA) vs. Rogelio Jr Esquievel (PHL)
HEAT 7: Declan Wyton (AUS) vs. Steven Sawyer (RSA)
HEAT 8: Ben Skinner (GBR) vs. Cole Robbins (USA)