Honolua Blomfield Claims 2021 Women’s World Title at Jeep® Malibu Classic

Honolua Blomfield of Oʻahu and Joel Tudor (USA) claimed respective World Titles at the  Jeep® Malibu Classic presented by Havaianas, as Alice Lemoigne of France earned an event win alongside Tudor.

Blomfield, 22, became the youngest 3x WSL Longboard Champion in history. She rounded off an impeccable year culminating with her finals performance on Tuesday where she finished runner-up to Lemoigne.

Blomfield had to overcome Longboard Tour veteran Lindsay Steinriede (USA) in a tight Quarterfinal bout to claim the Title with a solid 7.00 (out of a possible 10) and 13.00 (out of a possible 20) heat total. Blomfield was welcomed to shore by friends and family as they hoisted her up.
 
“I really didn’t expect this to happen, but I’m so grateful and thankful that it did,” Blomfield told WSL. “It feels amazing to be the youngest, three-time World Longboard Champion. I didn’t really do that good in Noosa but I got fifth which is good considering and then I won the Surf Ranch. That’s when I realized I have a real shot at winning this Title.”

Having secured her 3rd WSL Longboard World Title before having to surf the final, Blomfield would have to settle for a runner-up, as Longboard Tour veteran Lemoigne dominated the final with two excellent wave scores and impeccable wave selection to take her biggest ever career victory.

“I just love surfing and I’m super stoked my dad was here with me, he’s my good luck charm,“ said Blomfield. “It’s really extra special to be standing here with Joel (Tudor). I’ve looked up to him my whole life and I’m just so excited.”

Blomfield started the 2020 season off with an equal fifth in Noosa, Australia, before waiting over a year and a half to resume her ambitions for a third World Title. After her victory at the Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic, Blomfield entered Malibu No. 1 and maintained her composure throughout the event to emerge World Champion. 

Over two decades since capturing his first Longboard World Title, 45-year-old Joel Tudor clinched his third World Title in the men’s division after making his return from hiatus in 2019 – earning him the title of eldest WSL World Title holder.
 
“I didn’t really have expectations of winning coming here,” Tudor told the WSL. “I just wanted to do well and finish. There were all sorts of elements that came to play. My dad hasn’t come here to watch me compete in 27 years, both he and my mom were here so I had an emotional second there. This was for Donald Takayama who mentored my whole existence, I wouldn’t be here where I am today without him.”
 
“It’s cool to have your kids watch you,” Tudor said. “The last time I competed here neither Judah nor Tosh were born yet. When you’re a dad you don’t really talk about your accomplishments, especially prior to their existence. So it’s nice they actually got to see that and now I can say I finally beat Kelly (Slater) at something.”

Lemoigne Caps Off Season with Jeep Malibu Classic Victory 

Reunion Island’s Lemoigne opened with a 16.00 heat total over event threat Natsumi Taoka (JPN) in the Quarterfinals before taking down former World Title runner-up Chloe Calmon(BRA) during their Semifinal dual. The 25-year-old garnered an excellent 8.57 to leave Blomfield needing a near-perfect 9.90 as time ran out. 
 
“It’s a dream to win here at Malibu, it’s a perfect wave and I love it so much,” said Lemoigne. “It was slow so at the start so I waited for the bomb set waves and they came so I couldn’t be more stoked. I’m so happy to win and to share a Final with Hono (Blomfield) was really special. Congratulations to her and to all the other girls, and thanks to everyone here for supporting me and letting us surf this amazing place.”

Women’s Jeep Malibu Classic pres. Havaianas Final Results:
1 – Alice Lemoigne (FRA) 16.50
2 – Honolua Blomfield (HAW) 12.60
 
Men’s Jeep Malibu Classic pres. Havaianas Final Results:
1 – Joel Tudor (USA) 14.00
2 – Ben Skinner (GBR) 12.97
 
Women’s Jeep Malibu Classic pres. Havaianas Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Alice Lemoigne (FRA) 8.90 DEF. Chloe Calmon (BRA) 8.83
SF 2: Honolua Blomfield (HAW) 16.26 DEF. Zoe Grospiron (FRA) 14.50
 
Men’s Jeep Malibu Classic pres. Havaianas Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Ben Skinner (GBR) 15.84 DEF. Harrison Roach (AUS) 14.33
SF 2: Joel Tudor (USA) 11.67 DEF. Tony Silvagni (USA) 10.27
 
Women’s Jeep Malibu Classic pres. Havaianas Quarterfinal Results:
QF 1: Alice Lemoigne (FRA) 16.00 DEF. Natsumi Taoka (JPN) 12.04
QF 2: Chloe Calmon (BRA) 13.73 DEF. Kirra Seale (HAW) 10.27
QF 3: Honolua Blomfield (HAW) 13.00 DEF. Lindsay Steinriede (USA) 10.60
QF 4: Zoe Grospiron (FRA) 12.50 DEF. Kelia Moniz (HAW) 11.70 
 
Men’s Jeep Malibu Classic pres. Havaianas Quarterfinal Results:
QF 1: Harrison Roach (AUS) 15.20 DEF. Kevin Skvarna (USA) 13.66
QF 2: Ben Skinner (GBR) 12.53 DEF. Kai Sallas (HAW) 7.63
QF 3: Tony Silvagni (USA) 13.66 DEF. Justin Quintal (USA) 11.16
QF 4: Joel Tudor (USA) 15.76 DEF. Kaniela Stewart (HAW) 13.94
 
Men’s Jeep Malibu Classic pres. Havaianas Round 3 Results:
Heat 1: Harrison Roach (USA) 12.00 DEF. Jefson Silva (BRA) 10.40
Heat 2: Kevin Skvarna (USA) 11.53 DEF. Rodrigo Sphaier (BRA) 9.87
Heat 3: Kai Sallas (HAW) 14.53 DEF. Taka Inoue (JPN) 12.00
Heat 4: Ben Skinner (GBR) 14.36 DEF.Steven Sawyer (ZAF) 11.56
Heat 5: Justin Quintal (USA) 9.23 DEF. Augusto Olinto (BRA) 8.13
Heat 6: Tony Silvagni (USA) 11.77 DEF. Lucas Garrido Lecca (PER) 10.83
Heat 7: Joel Tudor (USA) 12.70 DEF. Taylor Jensen (USA) 10.03 
Heat 8: Kaniela Stewart (USA) 15.26 DEF. Cole Robbins (USA) 12.00