photo Antoine Delpero © Aquashot / aspeurope.com

Its been an action packed weekend in the Cornish surf mecca, Newquay.  The Relentless Boardmasters Festival in association with Vans brought the party, and for the first time ever some of the worlds top female longboarders including Newquay local Candice O’Donnell joined the fray with the first ever women’s Tuaca ASP 6* longboard event hitting Fistral Beach.

The competition kicked off earlier in the week, but Saturday saw the semi’s and finals go down in front of a huge buzzing crowd.  Despite the grey clouds and cooler weather the atmosphere was jumping as the girls took to the waves, pulling out everything to make the most of the testing conditions.  Jen Smith dominated in the final against Georgia Young, with stylish rail carves and classical nose rides that scored highly with the crowd and judges.

“I feel good definitely,” began Smith. “I found two nice rights with a smooth face and they allowed me to surf well. I was praying for 8s when I paddled out so it worked out. Georgia is a great surfer but she had a hard time finding a wave out there. The conditions are changing and it is shifty so it was tough but I got lucky and found those two good waves.”

Emilie Libier (Vieux Boucau, FRA) 21, today claimed her maiden ASP European Women’s Longboard Title with her equal 3rd placing in the ASP 6-Star Tuaca Ladies Longboard Pro ahead of local favourite Candice O’Donnell (GBR) who placed second on the rankings to qualify along with Libier for the 2012 ASP Women’s World Longboard Tour.

“I am so happy because it is my first European title and it is my best result also in a European contest. I lost my semi-final against Jennifer Smith but I am pleased with my performance. I got some good waves and had a good heat against the 2-times world longboard champion. This contest in Newquay has been really good for me.”

“I will try and save some money so I can do the world tour,” continued Libier. “I will also try and travel to Australia in the beginning of next year to work on my technique and my physical conditioning on the longboard. I will try and compete in the event in Noosa Heads and maybe in WA as well.