Cornwall showdown narrows as Boardmasters Longboard Pro reaches semifinals

Boardmasters Longboard Pro reaches the semifinals at Cornwall’s Fistral Beach after standout performances from Thilde Rasmussen, Alice Lemoigne, Edouard Delpero and Adam Griffiths.

Cornwall showdown narrows as Boardmasters Longboard Pro reaches semifinals

Fistral Beach delivered a decisive day of competition as the Boardmasters Longboard Pro Presented by YETI moved from its opening heats into the quarterfinals. Europe’s leading longboarders adapted to changing peaks and shifting conditions, with established champions, rising contenders and local favorites securing places in Friday’s semifinals.

Key takeaways

  • Thilde Rasmussen upset defending champion Ginger Caimi in the women’s quarterfinals.
  • Six-time Boardmasters winner Alice Lemoigne continued her strong record at Fistral Beach.
  • Edouard Delpero and local surfer Adam Griffiths advanced in the men’s draw.
  • Ben Skinner was eliminated, despite competing at his home break.

The quarterfinals marked a shift from the double-bank format used earlier in the day to a single peak, raising the importance of wave selection and positioning. Competitors needed to link long, flowing rides while making the most of limited opportunities.

Rasmussen finds rhythm at the right time

Denmark’s Thilde Rasmussen produced one of the day’s standout performances, defeating Italy’s Ginger Caimi, the defending event winner. Rasmussen combined extended nose rides with clean connections through the wave to post a heat total of 12.27.

The result was particularly significant after a difficult run of results in recent contests. Rasmussen said renewed perspective gained through conversations with her support team had helped restore her confidence. She now enters the semifinals with momentum and a chance to reach the event final.

Lemoigne strengthens her Fistral legacy

France’s Alice Lemoigne also advanced in convincing fashion. The six-time Boardmasters winner selected some of the larger waves beyond the main peak and used their open sections to build long, controlled rides.

Her experience at Fistral Beach was evident as she handled the changing conditions with composure. Britain’s Emily Currie and Lola Bleakley, along with France’s Canelle Lebreton and Maya Glasenapp and Belgium’s Mia Ramakers, also secured places in the women’s semifinal field.

Delpero and Griffiths lead men’s charge

Multiple Boardmasters winner Edouard Delpero continued his campaign with a quarterfinal victory over fellow Frenchman Max Jamet. Delpero’s familiarity with the venue and polished longboard technique kept him among the leading contenders for the title.

Cornwall’s Adam Griffiths delivered a late-heats surge to defeat Portugal’s António Dantas. After finding few opportunities in recent weeks because of a lack of surf, Griffiths capitalized on his best wave in the final minute. The local crowd, including his daughter and her supporters, celebrated his progression.

Spain’s Nicolás Andrade and France’s Louis Marchiset also moved through, while Newquay local Ben Skinner’s run ended in the quarterfinals.

Friday schedule and event outlook

Organizers are scheduled to make the next call at 9 a.m. GMT+1 on Friday, August 7. The YETI Pro QS 4,000 and Boardmasters Longboard Pro 1,000 will continue at Fistral Beach from August 5 through 9, with the remaining rounds set to determine this year’s champions.

Sources