<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Qualifying Series (QS) 1,000 Animal Pro and Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) 1,000 Reef Longboard Pro crowned their 2023 winners today in three-to-five foot surf at Fistral beach to wrap the surfing events at <a href="https://www.worldsurfleague.com/events/2023/qs/148/boardmasters/main" target="_blank">Boardmasters</a>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The final day of competition resumed around lunchtime and ran through the four categories’ Semifinals on the incoming tide with continued solid conditions and a lot of energy in the lineup. By the time the Finals came around, the tide had come right up into the heart of Fistral giving the crowds an excellent point of view from the Boardmasters beach bar to witness all the action.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Hopkins Continues to Write Boardmasters’ History, Claims First-Ever Three-Peat</strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In a battle of epic proportions with British rising star<strong> Alys Barton (</strong>GBR), the reigning European Champion <strong>Yolanda Hopkins</strong> (POR) managed to fend off her opponent to claim the first-ever three-peat at the Animal Pro today. Although the Portuguese started the Final with a dominant combination of two waves, Barton came back in the fight with an excellent 8.83 (out of a possible 10), the highest single score of the entire event, but unfortunately could not find a back-up score and had to settle for second.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hopkins adds a third consecutive win at Fistral after 2019 and 2022, her career-fifth win on the QS and takes an early lead in the race for the 2023-2024 European title and qualification for the Challenger Series (CS).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I love coming here to Fistral, it’s always such a good vibe!” Hopkins said. “It’s lovely to do a hat trick! I loved the waves we got and I’m stoked I got some good scores and some good poundings. I’ve got family here that I don’t visit often so I look forward to spending time with loved ones and taking a good rest now.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Odriozola Claims Career-First QS Win at Boardmasters</strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In a somewhat slow Final, <strong>Kai Odriozola </strong>(ESP) and<strong> Ido Arkin</strong> (ISR) fought in a wave-starved heat and tried to milk every opportunity. Both surfers were unsuccessful on aerial maneuvers on their first few attempts, and eventually it was the basque surfer Odriozola who found the best scoring opportunity in the tricky lineup.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The young San Sebastian surfer appeared in his second Final of a QS and this time managed to convert for a first win on the professional tour at only 17 years old. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I’m super stoked to take my first win on the QS today,” Odriozola stated. “We’ve had a little bit of everything this week and it was good to compete in challenging conditions. I’m not looking too far ahead, I haven’t set crazy goals for this season so I’m just going to try to keep my momentum and enjoy the next few events. My brother and I almost made the Final together so hopefully we get to do that in another event!”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Lemoigne Continues to Dominate at Fistral, Adds Fifth Boardmasters Win</strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The former runner-up in the world,<strong> Alice Lemoigne</strong> (FRA) continued to demonstrate her superiority in the Cornish waters as she absolutely dominated the Reef Longboard Pro women’s Final with an excellent 8.67 amongst her counting scores. Her opponents <strong>Zoe Grospiron (</strong>FRA), <strong>Emily Currie</strong> (GBR) and <strong>Carlota Jauregui </strong>(ESP) were never really in a position to threaten the French for the win and Lemoigne added another impressive line to her resume.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Reunion Island native became the first surfer to claim five victories at Boardmasters, but only briefly enjoyed the standalone record as she was joined in the last heat of the day by Edouard Delpero who equaled the feat. This result marks Lemoigne’s 10th victory on the professional longboard tours.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“We didn’t really know what to expect with this forecast but it turns out we had really enjoyable conditions so I’m stoked to get the win today,” Lemoigne said. “I love coming back here every year and it feels like Fistral is returning the love to me so I’m very happy. The longboard tour is really cool at the moment and I’m super stoked to be a part of it. I hope I can qualify for the finals at Malibu again this year.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Delpero Atop Podium at Boardmasters Once More, Grabs Own Fifth Win</strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The French surfer from Biarritz, <strong>Edouard Delpero </strong>(FRA) also managed to claim a fifth win on the Cornish coast, defeating compatriot <strong>Martin Coret </strong>(REU) as well as <strong>Jon Garmendia</strong> (ESP) and<strong> Ignacio Pignataro</strong> (URY) in the event’s Final.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In a friendly battle with his own brother for the most wins on tour, Edouard went one better than Antoine, both surfers having won four times before today at Fistral. This marks Edouard’s 12th professional win to date.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I’m beyond just happy with this win and it means a lot to me,” an emotional Delpero stated. “I have faced many challenges in the last couple of years with injuries, travel issues and some difficult results so I’m stoked to get the win today and it gives me a good confidence boost ahead of the next event at Bells Beach coming up.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">While the European LQS takes a hiatus from competition for now, the QS continues as pros head over to France to compete at the upcoming <a href="https://www.worldsurfleague.com/events/2023/qs/159/carabos-lacanau-pro/main" target="_blank">Caraïbos Lacanau Pro</a> next week.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Boardmasters Open surfing events were scheduled from August 9-13, 2023 at Fistral Beach, Cornwall - England and registrations are now open. For all results, video highlights and press releases, log on to <a href="https://www.worldsurfleague.com/" target="_blank">worldsurfleague.com</a>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>Boardmasters Open surfing events including the QS 1,000 Animal Mens and Womens Pro, the LQS 1,000 Reef Longboard Pro and the Mystic Junior Open are supported by Rubicon RAW Energy, FULFIL, Animal, Reef, Mystic as well as media partners Carve and SurfGirl.</em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>REEF LONGBOARD PRO MEN’S FINAL RESULTS:</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">1 - Edouard Delpero (FRA) 15.84</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2 - Martin Coret (REU) 13.76</div><div style="text-align: justify;">3 - Jon Garmendia Gonzalez (EUK) 12.13</div><div style="text-align: justify;">4 - Ignacio Pignataro (URY) 9.60</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>REEF LONGBOARD PRO WOMEN’S FINAL RESULTS:</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">1 - Alice Lemoigne (FRA) 13.80</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2 - Emily Currie (GBR) 10.74</div><div style="text-align: justify;">3 - Zoe Grospiron (FRA) 8.70</div><div style="text-align: justify;">4 - Carlota Jauregui (ESP) 4.74</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>ANIMAL PRO MEN’S FINAL RESULTS:</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">1 - Kai Odriozola (ESP) 10.83</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2 - Ido Arkin (ISR) 8.56</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>ANIMAL PRO WOMEN’S FINAL RESULTS:</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">1 - Yolanda Hopkins (POR) 13.40</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2 - Alys Barton (GBR) 12.36</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div></div>