MALIBU, Calif., USA (Wednesday, October 5, 2022) - Today, Soleil Errico and Harrison Roach won the 2022 Longboard World Titles at the Cuervo Classic Malibu Longboard Championship Presented by O'Neill, the third and final stop on the 2022 World Surf League (WSL) Longboard Tour, in world-class, three-to-four foot conditions at First Point in Malibu, Calif. Errico claimed her second World Title at her home break, while Roach claimed his maiden World Title.
Malibu's Soleil Errico Claims Second World Title At Home
Today, Errico got to celebrate her second World Title alongside family and friends at the wave that helped shape her as a surfer. She got off to a quick start in her Finals matchup against an in-form Sophia Culhane, dropping a 6.83 (out of possible 10) in the opening minutes. A solid set offered a huge opportunity for both competitors with Culhane earning a 5.67 and Errico an excellent 8.67. A brilliant exchange between the two world-class competitors then saw Errico's footwork and transitions lead to an 8.10 as Culhane's 7.33 kept her out of a combination situation, but Errico's finishing 8.37 secured her win and the World Title.
"I've been visualizing this for the last three months," said Errico. "Winning on my home turf couldn't be any better and I'm just so happy that all the dedication and sacrifice I've put into this paid off. I'm so thankful for the friends and family I have, my dad, my mom, CJ Nelson. I'm just so thankful for everyone who has supported me through the last couple days, and just so happy. "
Errico's nail-biting, opening heat gave her the momentum toward a massive victory. - WSL / Aaron Hughes
Errico's immaculate Finals Day run began with arguably the heat of the 2022 Longboard Tour season, with Errico taking on reigning event winner Alice Lemoigne. Both surfers turned in excellent, 16-point-plus heat totals and traded off as the heat leader multiple times. Needing a 7.70 in the final minutes, Errico was able to take the win with a 7.80, landing her a spot in the Semifinals.
Errico's momentum was unstoppable, carrying it into a critical Semifinal heat against event dark horse Mason Schremmer, where she accrued yet another excellent heat total of 17.57 before the decisive Final against Culhane.
Australia's Harrison Roach Claims Maiden World Title
Australia's Harrison Roach came into the 2022 World Title race with the goal to surpass last season's runner-up finish. He showed every sign of accomplishing this over the two event days at Malibu, culminating in the Final against World No. 2 Kaniela Stewart.
The men's Final unraveled with Stewart accruing a 6.33 to get an early start against Roach. But, the Australian fired back with an excellent 8.83 to briefly take the lead before Stewart found a quick backup, notching a brilliant 7.67 and pushing his lead. Just shy of the 20-minute mark, a crucial exchange witnessed Roach find a gem opportunity to once again regain the lead posting a 6.77 as Stewart's 7.57 fell short of the new, near-excellent 7.94 requirement.
The final minutes provided more drama as Roach fell on a great wave and left Stewart with one last chance to claim a win. However, Stewart's style and flow all the way to the beach missed the required score by .04.
"I'm very happy, I got close last year and I realized at that point how much it takes to get here again," said Roach. "I just put my head down, (and) made it count. I would've loved to have not fallen on that second good one, I left the door open for Kani (Stewart) there and he got close. When the beach commentator announced it I thought he had the score. It's a relief for me. Longboarding didn't have a platform like this and it was a different style of surfing, so I'm really fortunate to be here."
Roach's seamless transitions between noserides notched him the event's highest heat total of a 18.17. - WSL / Beatriz Ryder
Roach's road to the World Title began with overcoming multiple event threats including three-time WSL Longboard Champion Taylor Jensen in dominant fashion, accruing the event's highest single-scoring wave, a 9.17, and highest heat total of an 18.17 (out of possible 20), in their Semifinal bout. Roach also had to overcome an in-form Cole Robbins (USA) with a buzzer-beater in the Quarterfinals after a Round of 16, back-and-forth battle with former WSL Longboard Champion Steven Sawyer.
The Australian made his big return to competing in 2019 as the WSL Longboard Tour made its transition and had one goal in his mind, claim a World Title. Seen as one of the sport's top-tier competitors from a young age, Roach's persistence and undeniable talent helped pave the way to where he is today and made his dream a realization.
Kaniela Stewart's Maiden World Title Hopes Fall Short By By Narrow Margin
Kaniela Stewart (HAW) showcasing poise under pressure. - WSL / Beatriz Ryder
The 2022 World No. 2 Stewart started his finals day campaign with an impeccable performance, taking out fellow Hawaii surfer Keoki Saguibo. The 21-year-old kept his world-class form intact heading into a high-stakes Quarterfinal against Longboard Tour veteran Tony Silvagni. Silvagni pushed Stewart to the limits and left him needing an excellent score which he achieved with under five-minutes to go. The ocean provided for Stewart once again in a Semifinal clash with event standout Declan Wyton, and with one-minute remaining he earned an 8.07 to make his appearance in the Finals.
"It was so much fun to be out there, Harrison (Roach) was killing it," said Stewart. "There was waves, and it was so fun to be surfing with one other guy out at Malibu. It's perfect out there and we had a good time. I'm ready for next year, just come back stronger, get back to training and watch some video, and just try to get better."
Sophia Culhane Leads Day of Upsets For a Dramatic Conclusion to 2022 WSL Longboard Tour Season
Sophia Culhane (HAW) in disbelief after taking the win over Honolua Blomfield (HAW) Heat 3 of the Quarterfinals at the Cuervo Classic Malibu Longboard Championship. - WSL / Aaron Hughes
A history-making run for World Title longshot Culhane came to fruition after she had two incredible performances, beginning with a Quarterfinal dual against three-time WSL Champion Honolua Blomfield. Culhane left Blomfield in need of an excellent 8.10 as time expired, eliminating the former rankings leader. She then went on to overtake another World Title threat, Kelis Kaleopa'a, in the Semifinals with an awe-inspiring display of style and flow.
"I feel pretty good, everyone keeps telling me I'm only 16 years old, but everyone surfed really great and congratulations to the champs," said Culhane. "I'm really grateful for all my friends and family who flew all the way from Hawaii. Thank you to everyone for supporting me and I'm really happy."
The Top 8 men and Top 8 women on the rankings following the Cuervo Classic Malibu Longboard Championship will now prepare for the 2023 WSL Longboard Tour season, which was announced following the event's conclusion.
2023 WSL Longboard Tour Schedule Announced
Cuervo Classic Malibu Longboard Championship Women's Finals Results:
1 - Soleil Errico (USA) 17.04
2 - Sophia Culhane (HAW) 13.00
Cuervo Classic Malibu Longboard Championship Men's Finals Results:
1 - Harrison Roach (AUS) 15.93
2 - Kaniela Stewart (HAW) 15.57
Cuervo Classic Malibu Longboard Championship Women's Semifinals Results:
Heat 1: Soleil Errico (USA) 17.57 DEF. Mason Schremmer (USA) 12.43
Heat 2: Sophia Culhane (HAW) 14.00 DEF. Kelis Kaleopaa (HAW) 13.46
Cuervo Classic Malibu Longboard Championship Semifinal Results:
Heat 1: Harrison Roach (AUS) 18.57 DEF. Taylor Jensen (USA) 16.50
Heat 2: Kaniela Stewart (HAW) 13.90 DEF. Declan Wyton (AUS) 13.27
Cuervo Classic Malibu Longboard Championship Women's Quarterfinals Results:
Heat 1: Soleil Errico (USA) 16.53 DEF. Alice Lemoigne (FRA) 16.43
Heat 2: Mason Schremmer (USA) 16.00 DEF. Chloe Calmon (BRA) 12.60
Heat 3: Sophia Culhane (HAW) 15.27 DEF. Honolua Blomfield (HAW) 13.23
Heat 4: Kelis Kaleopaa (HAW) 14.07 DEF. Rachael Tilly (USA) 12.57
Cuervo Classic Malibu Longboard Championship Round Quarterfinal Results:
Heat 1: Taylor Jensen (USA) 15.06 DEF. Kai Sallas (HAW) 8.87
Heat 2: Harrison Roach (AUS) 15.10 DEF. Cole Robbins (USA) 14.17
Heat 3: Kaniela Stewart (HAW) 17.74 DEF. Tony Silvagni (USA) 15.90
Heat 4: Declan Wyton (AUS) 16.36 DEF. Ben Skinner (GBR) 15.60
Cuervo Classic Malibu Longboard Championship Round of 16 Results:
Heat 1: Taylor Jensen (USA) 14.23 DEF. Edouard Delpero (FRA) 13.50
Heat 2: Kai Sallas (HAW) 14.03 DEF. Kaimana Takayama (USA) 13.97
Heat 3: Harrison Roach (AUS) 15.23 DEF. Steven Sawyer (ZAF) 14.54
Heat 4: Cole Robbins (USA) 13.10 DEF. Justin Quintal (USA) 10.36
Heat 5: Kaniela Stewart (HAW) 13.34 DEF. Keoki Saguibo (HAW) 12.00
Heat 6: Tony Silvagni (USA) 13.00 DEF. Taka Inoue (JPN) 11.97
Heat 7: Ben Skinner (GBR) 14.90 DEF. Tosh Tudor (USA) 10.43
Heat 8: Declan Wyton (AUS) 12.10 DEF. Kevin Skvarna (USA) 11.23