A summer in W.A. doesn’t go past without the Lancelin Ocean classic collecting some of the biggest names in the windsurfing industry. After already a perfect summer season with plenty of wind and waves conditions delivered on Friday for the Wave discipline in South passage.

With plenty of big names showing up all eyes where mainly on 4 times Worldchampion wave Philip Koster and 7 times LOC winner local Australian hero Jeager Stone in the Elite discipline. In the Woman discipline Margeret River local Jane Seman was there to defend her crown from last year.

Also the full Severne loft was represented with head designer Ben Severne, new team-manager Dieter Van der Eyken entering the Elite Wave. While Sales Manager Thewes De Boer, Shaper James Hooper and Graphic designer James Broomhead entered in the Open to battle it out at South passage.

With excellent conditions from lunch time the ladies where the first to compete. Some good set waves and 20 knots made for a perfect start of the contest. Jane Seman did what she does best wave riding. Thanks to her excellent waves selection & radical wave-riding style she ranked up enough points to keep of PWA charger Justyina Sniady and lightweight Maeli Cherel.

Statement from Jane Seman:

I’m really stoked to win the waves again.I have to adjust my sailing a little bit these days to nurse some injuries but it’s great to push myself each year. Especially against Justyna Sniady ( number 5 of the world) and Maeli Cherel who both sail really well and keep on progressing each year. It was really fun to sail in great conditions with plenty of wind and waves for everyone.

Up next was the Open where the first to fall from the Severne crew was Thewes de Boer against Philip Kosters caddy Jorge, who ended up runner up in the Mens open Final. In the battle of the Graphics and Shapes, James Broomhead drew out the best lines landing the best wave 360 of the day and leaving James Hooper stranded in the first round. Mathias Moerman, Geraldton Local put on one of his best performances clinching a 3th place by the end of the contest.

With the winds getting stronger the Elite got underway with the first big heat being Philip Koster against Greenhead local Glen Alexander to repeat 2014’s LOC final. Just like than Philip Koster just managed to stay in front of Glen Alexander who showed some of the best waverides of the day on his brand new Nano. Philip Koster got on steam after that and booked himself a place into the final.

On the other side of the draw, Jeager Stone was looking to defend his title from last year but met with his Black Cat from 2017 Adam Lewis in the semi Finals. Adam Lewis proved once again to be one step ahead of Jeager Stone and moved into the final to take on Philip Koster. Jeager Stone was send to the Losers final to take on Ben Proffit.

With both the winner and loser final getting run at the same time it was a fireworks of worldclass wavesailing. Philip Koster kept the door open for Adam Lewis since he didn’t managed to find a ramp for his textbooks doubles while Adam Lewis managed to produce on of his own. However on the wave Philip Koster impressed with his above the lip areal maneuvers to clinch the win in the Final. Jeager Stone sailed out his frustrations in the loser final to secure 3th place in front of Ben Proffit.  

Philip Koster about winning the event:

I’m really happy to win the event this year. Its always a pleasure to come to the Lancelin ocean classic. Last year I couldn’t make it because of my knee injury and but happy to come back with a win.The conditions where a bit tricky in the beginning but they kept getting better towards the final. The level was super high and it actually could have been a PWA Final. Big thanks to the organizers and hope to be back next year.