The Longboard Pro Biarritz decides its semifinalists in excellent conditions at Côte des Basques.
The Longboard Pro Biarritz continued on Day 3 of the event's waiting period and ran through the quarterfinals to only keep four men and four women in contention for the event titles.
The Delperos kept the epicness levels up high with another dominant display on their local beach. And when Edouard slows down the slightest, Antoine picks up the torch and runs with it! Today the elder brother surfed arguably the best wave of the whole event, a four-foot, glassy, 160-something yards right-hander.
A flawless ride. A perfect 10.
"It's always the same, when I see my brother rip like that I get excited and in turn surf better myself," he said. "Him and I are on opposite sides of the draw so hopefully we meet in the final, that would be epic. We've had two incredible days of competition here, it's been so much fun with all our friends around. I have this epoxy surfboard from Minvielle, we've been working together since I'm 12 years old and we've made great things together. This one is quite round on the nose but narrower towards the tail and it turns great in the hollower sections too."
Two other surfers made their move today, Brasil's Augusto Olinto and the current frontrunner in the European title race Ben Skinner. The Cornish surfer, also a shaper for himself and many of the UK's top longboarders, will face Edouard in the semis for what could be a decider for the 2018 regional title.
Ben Skinner - WSL / Damien Poullenot
"It's been an amazing weekend here in Biarritz," he said. "It's a very special place to be especially with the history of longboarding here and I haven't competed here in 13 years so it's really nice to be back. I have a lot of respect for the Delpero boys and they way they're surfing right now it's incredible. They keep pushing me for years and years and it's great to be surfing against them in the semis, may the best man win! It's been a great year for longboarding in Europe, we're very thankful for the events that are being put on by the WSL."
Earlier this morning the women's Quarterfinals ran in glassy long rights again. Justine Dupont, Mason Schremmer and Justine Mauvin dominated the first three heats to advance into the semis with 15+ points heat totals.
But nobody quite matched Alice Lemoigne's graceful nose rides and impeccable timing. The European champ, three years running, is trailing behind Dupont in this season's title race, but a couple of big results here and in the last event could turn that around.
"The Côte des Basques is really an incredible place and we're lucky to have that great right at the moment," Lemoigne said. "I've been training here for two months so I feel great. I'll battle all the way until the end of the season to try to keep my title but it's not going to be easy for sure. Justine has a good lead, I'd love to meet her in the final here in Biarritz."
Alice Lemoigne - WSL / Damien Poullenot
The day ended with the finals of the BTZ Belza Classic late this afternoon in picture-perfect longboarding conditions once again. Antoine came out victorious of the 30-minute final against Edouard Delpero (2nd), Augusto Olinto (3rd) and Romain Maurin (4th).
Surfers will have a final call at 8 a.m Sunday for the finals of the LQS event.
Tune in from June 7-10, 2018 and check out all the photos, videos and updates right here!
Longboard Pro Biarritz Down to the Wire, Antoine Delpero Wins BTZ Belza Classic
Nicolas Leroy
The Longboard Pro Biarritz continued on Day 3 of the event's waiting period and ran through the quarterfinals to only keep four men and four women in contention for the event titles.
The Delperos kept the epicness levels up high with another dominant display on their local beach. And when Edouard slows down the slightest, Antoine picks up the torch and runs with it! Today the elder brother surfed arguably the best wave of the whole event, a four-foot, glassy, 160-something yards right-hander.
A flawless ride. A perfect 10.
"It's always the same, when I see my brother rip like that I get excited and in turn surf better myself," he said. "Him and I are on opposite sides of the draw so hopefully we meet in the final, that would be epic. We've had two incredible days of competition here, it's been so much fun with all our friends around. I have this epoxy surfboard from Minvielle, we've been working together since I'm 12 years old and we've made great things together. This one is quite round on the nose but narrower towards the tail and it turns great in the hollower sections too."
Two other surfers made their move today, Brasil's Augusto Olinto and the current frontrunner in the European title race Ben Skinner. The Cornish surfer, also a shaper for himself and many of the UK's top longboarders, will face Edouard in the semis for what could be a decider for the 2018 regional title.
"It's been an amazing weekend here in Biarritz," he said. "It's a very special place to be especially with the history of longboarding here and I haven't competed here in 13 years so it's really nice to be back. I have a lot of respect for the Delpero boys and they way they're surfing right now it's incredible. They keep pushing me for years and years and it's great to be surfing against them in the semis, may the best man win! It's been a great year for longboarding in Europe, we're very thankful for the events that are being put on by the WSL."
Earlier this morning the women's Quarterfinals ran in glassy long rights again. Justine Dupont, Mason Schremmer and Justine Mauvin dominated the first three heats to advance into the semis with 15+ points heat totals.
But nobody quite matched Alice Lemoigne's graceful nose rides and impeccable timing. The European champ, three years running, is trailing behind Dupont in this season's title race, but a couple of big results here and in the last event could turn that around.
"The Côte des Basques is really an incredible place and we're lucky to have that great right at the moment," Lemoigne said. "I've been training here for two months so I feel great. I'll battle all the way until the end of the season to try to keep my title but it's not going to be easy for sure. Justine has a good lead, I'd love to meet her in the final here in Biarritz."
The day ended with the finals of the BTZ Belza Classic late this afternoon in picture-perfect longboarding conditions once again. Antoine came out victorious of the 30-minute final against Edouard Delpero (2nd), Augusto Olinto (3rd) and Romain Maurin (4th).
Surfers will have a final call at 8 a.m Sunday for the finals of the LQS event.
Tune in from June 7-10, 2018 and check out all the photos, videos and updates right here!
Antoine Delpero
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Longboard Pro Biarritz
The BTZ Belza Classic brought a 70s feel last week in Biarritz with the traditional division.
The Longboard Pro Biarritz crowns its inaugural champions on a picture-perfect Sunday in the Basque country.
All-French finals put on an incredible show for the capacity crowds at Côte des Basques.
The Longboard Pro Biarritz decides its semifinalists in excellent conditions at Côte des Basques.
The local hero drops a perfect 10 point ride and defends it with a 9.60 in Round 2 of the Longboard Pro Biarritz.