<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;">The Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic (<a href="https://www.boardriding.com/events/mens-surf-ranch-classic-2021-tentative" target="_blank">Men's</a> & <a href="https://www.boardriding.com/events/womens-surf-ranch-classic-2021-tentative" target="_blank">Women's</a>) will showcase the world’s best longboard competitors at the renowned WSL Surf Ranch in Lemoore, California. Following that event, competitors will return to the ocean for their first WSL appearance at the iconic First Point in Malibu, Calif. for the Jeep Malibu Classic presented by Havaianas (<a href="https://www.boardriding.com/events/mens-malibu-classic-2021-tentative" target="_blank">Men's</a> & <a href="https://www.boardriding.com/events/womens-malibu-classic-2021-tentative" target="_blank">Women's</a>). Points for these two events will be combined with points earned at the Noosa Longboard Open from February of 2020 to determine the WSL Longboard World Title.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Our surfers are so stoked to be back in a jersey again and have this opportunity to finish up from where they left off in Australia,” said Devon Howard, WSL Longboard Tour Director. “The Surf Ranch guarantees us perfect waves all day, as well as the most level playing field you could ever hope for. While First Point, Malibu, provides the best possible surf venue to crown a World Longboard Champion.” </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Longboard Tour Format</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> The Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic will feature the leaderboard format where the WLT’s Top 18 women and 18 men will each ride two lefts and two rights. Their best right and left scores combine to rank their place on the leaderboard. The Top 8 surfers then move on into the Semifinals before dwindling the field down once again to the Top 2 surfers as they square off on their final two scoring waves (one left, one right) to determine the event winners. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Longboard Tour format for the Jeep Malibu Classic pres. by Havaianas will host six Rounds of competition. Round 1 will feature three surfers in six heats, with the top two spots advancing through to Round 3. The last-place finishers of Round 1 will be relegated to the first elimination heats in Round 2. Competitors who survive elimination will join the head-to-head matchups in Round 3, where the top surfer advances into the Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Finals.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> The events will include the Longboard Tour’s Top 18 men and Top 18 women. Due to the previous season’s cancellations, there will be no wildcards featured in these events—although cancellations and travel restrictions for athletes may open spots for the next surfer on the rankings. The Top 10 surfers at this season’s end will requalify for the 2022 Longboard Tour, while places 11 through 18 will need to earn their spots through regional events. The 2021 WSL Longboard Champions will be crowned by the end of the Jeep Malibu Classic pres. by Havaianas after a highly-anticipated return from these stylemasters to put on a show to the world.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic and Jeep Malibu Classic pres. by Havaianas Competitors</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Women:</strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Honolua Blomfield (HAW)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Chloe Calmon (BRA)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Alice Lemoigne (FRA)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Lindsay Steinriede (USA)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Tully White (AUS)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Kirra Seale (HAW)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Sally Cohen (HAW)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Zoe Grospiron (FRA)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Kaitlin Mikkelsen (USA)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Soleil Errico (USA)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Kelis Kaleopaa (HAW) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Ophelie Ah-Kouen (REU)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Mahina Akaka (HAW)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Natsumi Taoka (JPN)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Avalon Gall (USA)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Sophia Culhane (HAW)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Haley Otto (HAW)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Keani Canullo (HAW)</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Men:</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Justin Quintal (USA) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Rodrigo Sphaier (BRA)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Taylor Jensen (USA) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Kaniela Stewart (HAW)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Kai Sallas (HAW)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Steven Sawyer (ZAF)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Harrison Roach (AUS) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Tony Silvagni (USA) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Ben Skinner (GBR)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Edouard Delpero (FRA)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Lucas Garrido Lecca (PER)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Taka Inoue (JPN)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Cole Robbins (USA) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Jefson Silva (BRA)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Phil Rajzman (BRA)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Joel Tudor (USA) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Kevin Skvarna (USA)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Augusto Olinto (BRA) </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Reigning WSL Champions <a href="https://www.boardriding.com/riders/honolua-blomfield" target="_blank">Honolua Blomfield</a> (HAW) and <a href="https://www.boardriding.com/riders/justin-quintal" target="_blank">Justin Quintal</a> (USA) are eager for their return to the competitive arena after a year and a half hiatus from competition. Both surfed in the Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic specialty event in October of 2020, which saw Blomfield earn the runner-up finish and Quintal win, but now they are ready to compete for the 2021 Longboard World Titles.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;">“What I’m really looking forward to most is Malibu,” expressed Blomfield. “It’s a special place for me because I’ve competed there every year since I was 10. Malibu is pretty much where my longboarding career started, and to win the World Title there a decade later would be a dream come true.” </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Haleiwa, Hawaii’s, 2X WSL Champion Blomfield, 22, left the Noosa Longboard Open with an Equal 5th and now has two events to capitalize on toward back-to-back World Titles. Quintal, 31, brought Jacksonville, Florida’s, first-ever World Title home in 2019 and must perform at both venues to secure a second after not competing in Noosa, Australia. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“It’s been a crazy couple years,” said Quintal. “But it’s been nice to reflect, reset and focus on aspects of my surfing practice and life that I haven’t had time for in the past. I’m stoked to see the WSL doing it’s best to keep the WSL Longboard Tour going this year despite the hurdles facing running events during a global pandemic. I honestly miss everyone, look forward to having some fun with the upcoming events and seeing the other surfers again.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> “I remember perfect blue tubes (at the Surf Ranch) and that’s exactly what I’m looking forward to,” continued Quintal. “Hope they don’t just put the longboarders on one of the softer settings. Let’s get it on.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://worldsurfleague.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9c75f4cf1e19118d57c2f963e&id=cb82e638ec&e=2ee39f75b0" target="_blank">Watch It Again: 2020 Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic Specialty Event</a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Watch LIVE</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> The Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic and Jeep Malibu Classic presented by Havaianas will be broadcast LIVE on <a href="https://worldsurfleague.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9c75f4cf1e19118d57c2f963e&id=6055b7407d&e=2ee39f75b0" target="_blank">WorldSurfLeague.com</a> and the free <a href="https://worldsurfleague.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9c75f4cf1e19118d57c2f963e&id=9d077fab05&e=2ee39f75b0" target="_blank">WSL app</a>. Also, check local listings for coverage from the WSL's broadcast partners. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>The WSL Longboard Tour is proudly supported by our partners Jose Cuervo, Jeep, </em><em>Havaianas, Hydro Flask, Athletic Brewing, US Army, Aviator Nation, Firewire, and Flying Embers.</em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>COVID-19 Updates</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> The health and safety of athletes, staff, and the local community are of the utmost importance and the WSL has a robust set of COVID safety plans in place to keep everyone safe. These plans are unique to each event.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> For more information about <a href="https://www.boardriding.com/associations/world-surf-league" target="_blank">WSL</a>, please visit <a href="https://www.worldsurfleague.com/" target="_blank">WorldSurfLeague.com</a>.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div> <div style="text-align: right;">Press Release Source: www.worldsurfleague.com</div>