“It’s the best day of my life,” Ingelby said.

“I’ve been close to winning in the past and always felt I could win the title, but I’ve also seen many great surfers not win world titles and I was wary that the opportunity could slip.

“It’s a huge weight off my shoulders and right now the feeling is unbelievable.”

Hawaiian Kai Sallas beat Ingelby in a high-scoring Oxbow Maldives final yesterday. Sallas scored 15.65 from his two waves to Ingelby’s 14.00. The final was held in 1m waves at Pasta Point.

“It would have been great to take the event win as well as the world title, but full marks to Sallas, he surfed a great final and he deserved the win as he’s been a standout all week,” Ingelby said.

“I really left my run in the final late, I don’t think I had one decent score in the first 20 minutes, when I did get that eight-point ride late in the final I was a real chance, but simply could not find a wave to deliver a decent second score.”

The ASP World Longboard Champion is decided across the ratings from two events and Ingelby’s win in the season’s opening event in Japan, along with his second place this week earned him his inaugural ASP World Title.

Ingelby secured the world title early yesterday when he defeated Brazilian Phil Rajzman in a close, see-sawing quarter final.

The semi-finals were also tight, with Sallas defeating fellow Hawaiian Ned Snow and Ingelby surviving a late challenge French surfer Antoine Delpero.

“I’m so stoked to win this event,” Sallas said.

“The waves have been super fun all week and to beat Harley in the final capped off a perfect week for me.

“I started well with 7.65 on my first ride and felt confident that I could back that ride up and take the win.

“Ingelby came at me hard in the final few minutes, but my best ride was my final one and it’s great to win and actually beat the current world champion as well.”

Report from www.aspworldtour.com