There were no mirages in the deserts of UAE with remarkable performances from Steven Sawyer and Alice Lemoigne to claim inaugural, Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic wins. A true Cinderella story unfolded for former WSL Longboard Champion Sawyer. The South African needed a win to catapult into the Top 8 and he did just that after besting 2023 World Title runner-up Kaniela Stewart in the Semifinals before bringing his steezy style to the Final against in-form John Michael Van Hohenstein. An all-French battle unraveled for the women's Final and Lemoigne saved her best for last with a brilliant 9.43 over Zoe Grospiron who put on a showcase all her own. But, in the end it was Lemoigne who reasserted herself among the world's best with a major win heading into the World Title showdown. Now, the Top 8 men and women are settled and all that remains is the one-day, Surf City El Salvador Longboard Championships beginning October 9 through 13.
