Ab Januar 2025 werden die iQFOiL-Flotten der Damen und Herren neue Segelgrößen verwenden, die eine bessere Zugänglichkeit und reibungslosere Übergänge zwischen den Jugend- und Seniorenkategorien fördern.
Die neu beschlossenen Änderungen sehen vor:
Die Women und Youth Women werden von einem 8m² Segel auf ein 7,3m² Segel (neues Design) umsteigen.
Die Männer werden vom 9m²-Segel auf ein 8m²-Segel (aktuelles Frauen- und Jugenddesign) umsteigen.
Beide Kategorien werden den bestehenden 490 (4,90m) Mast übernehmen, um ihn an die überarbeiteten Segelgrößen anzupassen.
Diese Aktualisierungen spiegeln das Engagement wider, die iQFOiL-Klasse für Athleten aller Körpergrößen zugänglicher zu machen. Die neue Ausrüstung sorgt für mehr Chancengleichheit und bietet eine Wettbewerbsplattform für Segler mit unterschiedlichen Körpergrößen aus verschiedenen Nationen und Kontinenten.
Die Umstellung zielt auch darauf ab, eine bessere Progression für jüngere Athleten zu schaffen, die von der Jugend- zur Seniorenklasse aufsteigen. Da die neuen Seniorensegel mit den in der Jugendflotte verwendeten Segeln übereinstimmen, wird der Übergang reibungsloser verlaufen, was zusätzliche Kosten reduziert und Trainingsanpassungen minimiert.
Die neue Ausrüstung wurde von iQFOiL-Athleten getestet und von World Sailing genehmigt, wobei der Schwerpunkt auf der Einhaltung der höchsten Leistungs- und Zuverlässigkeitsstandards lag. Die Athleten werden die aktualisierte Konfiguration erstmals bei den iQFOiL International Games auf Lanzarote vorstellen, die vom 27. Januar bis zum 2. Februar 2025 stattfinden und die erste offizielle Veranstaltung nach den neuen Regeln sind.
Gonzalo Costa Hoevel, iQFOiL Class Manager, sagte: „Diese Änderungen stellen eine durchdachte und bewusste Weiterentwicklung der iQFOiL-Klasse als Sportart dar, die gerade ihren ersten olympischen Zyklus abgeschlossen hat. Dieses neue Kapitel legt den Schwerpunkt auf Inklusivität, Fairness und weltweite Zugänglichkeit. Durch die Schaffung eines reibungsloseren Übergangs von den Jugend- zu den Seniorenkategorien und die Gewährleistung eines gleichberechtigten Wettbewerbs für alle Geschlechter und Körpertypen machen wir einen wichtigen Schritt, um iQFOiL zu einer noch globaleren und nachhaltigeren Klasse zu machen.“
Jaime Navarro, World Sailing Director of Technical and Offshore, fügte hinzu: „Die Entscheidung zielt darauf ab, die Ausrüstung weiter an die beabsichtigten Gewichtsziele anzupassen, die die Auswahl des iQFOiL für die Olympischen Spiele geleitet haben, um die Bedürfnisse einer vielfältigen, globalen Athletenbasis zu erfüllen. Diese Änderungen kommen zu einem entscheidenden Zeitpunkt, nach dem ersten olympischen Zyklus, in dem wir umfangreiche Daten über die Leistung und die Entwicklung der Athleten gesammelt haben, während wir den Athleten Stabilität und Klarheit für den nächsten Zyklus bieten.“
iQFOiL Olympische Klasse
14 12.2024
World Sailing und die iQFOiL-Klasse freuen sich, eine Weiterentwicklung der Ausrüstung der iQFOiL Olympic Class ankündigen zu können, die darauf abzielt, die Inklusivität zu fördern und die Entwicklung der Athleten zu verbessern
Luderitz Speed 24 – Update 3
02 12.2024
Neuer Weltrekord für Jenna Gibson K96
Jenna Gibson holt sich mit 48.03kts erneut den Weltrekord im Windsurfen der Frauen auf 500m. Gestern waren es „nur“ 47,58kts, heute hat die Britin erneut ihren eigenen Weltrekord gebrochen.
48,03 Knoten auf 500 Metern und ein weiterer Rekord für Jenna: 50,05 Knoten auf 2 Sekunden (GPSMessung) – die erste Frau über 50 Knoten Top Speed.
Herzlichen Glückwunsch
Alle Ergebnisse vorbehaltlich der Ratifizierung durch das WSSRC.
48,03 Knoten auf 500 Metern und ein weiterer Rekord für Jenna: 50,05 Knoten auf 2 Sekunden (GPSMessung) – die erste Frau über 50 Knoten Top Speed.
Herzlichen Glückwunsch
Alle Ergebnisse vorbehaltlich der Ratifizierung durch das WSSRC.
Luderitz Speed 2024 – Update 2
01 12.2024
Record Sunday in Lüderitz
Heute hat es wohl geklappt – die Bedingungen waren sehr gut und so konnten einige neue Rekorde gefahren werden.
Antoine Albeau F-192: fährt mit 53.49kts über die 500m - neuer Weltrekord! Und Gunnar Asmussen G-2: fliegt mit 52.69kts über die 500m - neuer deutscher Rekord!
Ein weiterer Tag, ein weiterer Weltrekord - Jenna Gibson K-96: schlägt mit 47,58kts ihren bisherigen Weltrekord.
Karo van Tonder SA-89 brach ihren bisherigen Rekord um über einen Knoten: 45,83 kts neuer südafrikanischer Rekord.
Brendan Lorho F-113, der 19-Jährige aus Frankreich hat mittlerweile mehrfach die 50Knoten Marke überboten und schaffte heute eine neue persönliche Bestleistung : 50.62kts.
Alle Ergebnisse vorbehaltlich der Ratifizierung durch das WSSRC.
Antoine Albeau F-192: fährt mit 53.49kts über die 500m - neuer Weltrekord! Und Gunnar Asmussen G-2: fliegt mit 52.69kts über die 500m - neuer deutscher Rekord!
Ein weiterer Tag, ein weiterer Weltrekord - Jenna Gibson K-96: schlägt mit 47,58kts ihren bisherigen Weltrekord.
Karo van Tonder SA-89 brach ihren bisherigen Rekord um über einen Knoten: 45,83 kts neuer südafrikanischer Rekord.
Brendan Lorho F-113, der 19-Jährige aus Frankreich hat mittlerweile mehrfach die 50Knoten Marke überboten und schaffte heute eine neue persönliche Bestleistung : 50.62kts.
Alle Ergebnisse vorbehaltlich der Ratifizierung durch das WSSRC.
Luderitz Speed 2024 – Update
28 11.2024
Großer Tag im Kanal gestern. Leider kein neuer Weltrekord für Antoine Albeau F192.
Big Wednesday wurde vorhergesagt, es sollte sehr gut werden, und es war extrem windig! Glückwunsch an alle, die den Mut hatten den Kanal runterzuheizen, denn es war zeitweise brutal mit Böen von über 50 Knoten. Eine besondere Gratulation geht an Jenna Gibson GBR 96, die ihren eigenen Weltrekord bei den Frauen erneut gebrochen hat, und großes Mitgefühl für Antoine Albeau F192, von dem wir gehofft hatten, dass er seinen eigenen Weltrekord von vor 9 Jahren auf demselben Kanal gebrochen hat. Die vorläufigen GPS-Daten sagten 53,38 Knoten, aber bei der abendlichen Überprüfung des Video-Timings wurde bestätigt, dass es 52,98 Knoten waren. Besondere Erwähnung verdient Brendan Lorho, der 19-Jährige aus Frankreich, der sich jeden Tag verbessert hat und die 50-Knoten-Grenze mit einem blitzschnellen Lauf von 49,98 Knoten nur knapp verfehlte.
Zum Wochenende sind nochmals gute Bedingungen vorhergesagt, es bleibt spannend!
Zum Wochenende sind nochmals gute Bedingungen vorhergesagt, es bleibt spannend!
Luderitz Speed Challenge 2024
27 11.2024
Neue Speedweltrekorde?
Hat Antoine Albeau F192 heute seinen eigenen, alten Windsurf-Geschwindigkeitsweltrekord über 53,27 Knoten gebrochen mit 53,38 Knoten? Heute hat Windstärke und Winkel im Kanal von Lüderitz/Namibia gepasst. Und Antoine Albeau erwischte die richtige Zeit für einen unglaublichen Lauf.
Bereits gestern hat die Britin Jenna Gibson einen Lauf über 47,41 Knoten, was, falls er ratifiziert wird, ein neuer Frauenweltrekord ist und Heidi Ulrichs aktuellen Rekord von 47,17 Knoten gebrochen hat.
47,53 Knoten ist Jenna heute gefahren und hat damit die gestrige Zeit nochmals überboten.
Auch Gunnar Asmussen war heute schnell unterwegs und kam mit 52,03 Knoten nah an den (eigenen) deutschen Rekord von 52.26kn.
Alle Zeiten - GPS-Timing (20Hz) - vorläufige, ungeprüfte Ergebnisse!
Alle Ergebnisse vorbehaltlich der Ratifizierung durch das WSSRC.
Bereits gestern hat die Britin Jenna Gibson einen Lauf über 47,41 Knoten, was, falls er ratifiziert wird, ein neuer Frauenweltrekord ist und Heidi Ulrichs aktuellen Rekord von 47,17 Knoten gebrochen hat.
47,53 Knoten ist Jenna heute gefahren und hat damit die gestrige Zeit nochmals überboten.
Auch Gunnar Asmussen war heute schnell unterwegs und kam mit 52,03 Knoten nah an den (eigenen) deutschen Rekord von 52.26kn.
Alle Zeiten - GPS-Timing (20Hz) - vorläufige, ungeprüfte Ergebnisse!
Alle Ergebnisse vorbehaltlich der Ratifizierung durch das WSSRC.
DefiWind 2025
24 11.2024
Die Anmeldung öffnet am 15. Januar 2025.
Komm und nimm an der 23. Ausgabe des Defi Wind teil!
Gruissan / Südfrankreich von 29. Mai - 1. Juni 2025.
California Windsurf Cup 2025
13 11.2024
Der Tourplan steht.
Die German Windsurfing Association und die Choppy Water GmbH präsentieren den Tourplan für die Saison 2025 der höchsten deutschen Windsurfserie. Die „Cupper“ und die WIndsurf-Fans können sich auf sechs große California Windsurf Cups freuen. Auch vier ProAm Cups stehen als Ergänzung bereits im Tourplan für die kommende Saison.
Zum Einstieg und als „Warm Up“ sind drei ProAm Windsurf Cups geplant. Wie 2024 soll ein erster ProAm zu Ostern am Gardasee stattfinden. Die Veranstaltung wird in Kooperation mit Windsurfing Austria und dem Circolo Surf Torbole geplant. Der exakte Termin wird so schnell wie möglich bekannt gegeben. Er ist aber von den anderen Regatten am Gardasee abhängig und kann immer erst etwas später festgelegt werden.
Am 10./11. Mai feiert der ProAm Windsurf Cup dann seine Premiere am Dümmer. Die Veranstaltung bietet allen Windsurfern in Westdeutschland eine optimale Möglichkeit für den Saisonstart.
Nach dem begeisterten Feedback in diesem Jahr richtet Nordwind Wassersport in Surendorf sogar zwei ProAm Windsurf Cups aus. Der erste findet am 24./25. Mai 2025 statt.
Über Pfingsten findet vom 05. bis zum 09. Juni der erste große California Windsurf Cup im Rahmen des Summer Openings auf Sylt statt. Diese Veranstaltung ist der offizielle Startschuss für die Sommersaison auf Deutschlands bekanntester Insel. Dort steht dann neben den Disziplinen Foiling und Fin Slalom auch wieder Wave als Standby-Disziplin auf der Agenda.
Im kommenden Jahr kehrt auch die Nordseeinsel Borkum wieder auf den Tourplan der deutschen Spitzenserie im Windsurfen zurück. Dabei ist jetzt schon klar, dass sich die Windsurfer auf ein internationales Highlight vom 18. - 22. Juni freuen können, denn es stehen 20.000 Euro Preisgeld bereit. Die Gespräche mit den internationalen Verbänden laufen. In den nächsten Wochen wird sich klären, welcher Event und welche Disziplin auf die Nordseeinsel kommt.
Von der Nordsee geht es weiter an die Ostsee. Vom 04. bis zum 06. Juli kehrt der California Windsurf Cup nach Pelzerhaken zurück. Im vergangenen Jahr war der Tourstopp in dem Ostseebad eine der teilnehmerstärksten Veranstaltungen. Die einfachen Bedingungen an der Seebrücke motivieren gerade Regattaeinsteiger und viele Youngster, ihren Einstieg in die Spitzenserie dort zu wagen. Auch 2025 kann man wieder mit einem starken Teilnehmerfeld rechnen.
Zwei Wochen später geht es am unendlich weiten Nordseestrand von St. Peter-Ording weiter. Vom 17. bis zum 20. Juli sind dort auf der Nordsee die Disziplinen Foiling, Fin Slalom und Wave angesetzt. In der Saison 2024 war St. Peter-Ording der einzige Spot, wo ein gültiges Wave-Ergebnis eingefahren werden konnte.
Der sportliche Höhepunkt aus nationaler Sicht ist die GWA Championship (IDM tbc.), die immer im Rahmen des California Surf Cup Sylt stattfindet. Vom 29. Juli bis zum 03. August kämpft die Windsurf Elite dann nicht nur um die wertvollen Ranglistenpunkte für das Jahresranking, sondern auch um die offiziellen Titel in den Disziplinen Foiling, Fin Slalom und Wave sowie natürlich die Overall Championship.
Der letzte California Windsurf Cup 2025 findet zum Ende der Feriensaison vom 04. bis zum 07. September in Heiligenhafen statt. Im Rahmen der Veranstaltung ist wieder die GWA Youth & Junior Championship (IDJM tbc.) geplant.
Zum Saisonausklang steht dann noch einmal ein ProAm Windsurf Cup in Surendorf auf der Agenda. Am 27./28. September können sich dort ein letztes Mal alle „Cupper“ treffen und gemeinsam die Saison mit spannenden Rennen auf Finne und Foil ausklingen lassen.
Alle Informationen und aktuelle News zum California Windsurf Cup findet man immer auf der offiziellen Website.
Zum Einstieg und als „Warm Up“ sind drei ProAm Windsurf Cups geplant. Wie 2024 soll ein erster ProAm zu Ostern am Gardasee stattfinden. Die Veranstaltung wird in Kooperation mit Windsurfing Austria und dem Circolo Surf Torbole geplant. Der exakte Termin wird so schnell wie möglich bekannt gegeben. Er ist aber von den anderen Regatten am Gardasee abhängig und kann immer erst etwas später festgelegt werden.
Am 10./11. Mai feiert der ProAm Windsurf Cup dann seine Premiere am Dümmer. Die Veranstaltung bietet allen Windsurfern in Westdeutschland eine optimale Möglichkeit für den Saisonstart.
Nach dem begeisterten Feedback in diesem Jahr richtet Nordwind Wassersport in Surendorf sogar zwei ProAm Windsurf Cups aus. Der erste findet am 24./25. Mai 2025 statt.
Über Pfingsten findet vom 05. bis zum 09. Juni der erste große California Windsurf Cup im Rahmen des Summer Openings auf Sylt statt. Diese Veranstaltung ist der offizielle Startschuss für die Sommersaison auf Deutschlands bekanntester Insel. Dort steht dann neben den Disziplinen Foiling und Fin Slalom auch wieder Wave als Standby-Disziplin auf der Agenda.
Im kommenden Jahr kehrt auch die Nordseeinsel Borkum wieder auf den Tourplan der deutschen Spitzenserie im Windsurfen zurück. Dabei ist jetzt schon klar, dass sich die Windsurfer auf ein internationales Highlight vom 18. - 22. Juni freuen können, denn es stehen 20.000 Euro Preisgeld bereit. Die Gespräche mit den internationalen Verbänden laufen. In den nächsten Wochen wird sich klären, welcher Event und welche Disziplin auf die Nordseeinsel kommt.
Von der Nordsee geht es weiter an die Ostsee. Vom 04. bis zum 06. Juli kehrt der California Windsurf Cup nach Pelzerhaken zurück. Im vergangenen Jahr war der Tourstopp in dem Ostseebad eine der teilnehmerstärksten Veranstaltungen. Die einfachen Bedingungen an der Seebrücke motivieren gerade Regattaeinsteiger und viele Youngster, ihren Einstieg in die Spitzenserie dort zu wagen. Auch 2025 kann man wieder mit einem starken Teilnehmerfeld rechnen.
Zwei Wochen später geht es am unendlich weiten Nordseestrand von St. Peter-Ording weiter. Vom 17. bis zum 20. Juli sind dort auf der Nordsee die Disziplinen Foiling, Fin Slalom und Wave angesetzt. In der Saison 2024 war St. Peter-Ording der einzige Spot, wo ein gültiges Wave-Ergebnis eingefahren werden konnte.
Der sportliche Höhepunkt aus nationaler Sicht ist die GWA Championship (IDM tbc.), die immer im Rahmen des California Surf Cup Sylt stattfindet. Vom 29. Juli bis zum 03. August kämpft die Windsurf Elite dann nicht nur um die wertvollen Ranglistenpunkte für das Jahresranking, sondern auch um die offiziellen Titel in den Disziplinen Foiling, Fin Slalom und Wave sowie natürlich die Overall Championship.
Der letzte California Windsurf Cup 2025 findet zum Ende der Feriensaison vom 04. bis zum 07. September in Heiligenhafen statt. Im Rahmen der Veranstaltung ist wieder die GWA Youth & Junior Championship (IDJM tbc.) geplant.
Zum Saisonausklang steht dann noch einmal ein ProAm Windsurf Cup in Surendorf auf der Agenda. Am 27./28. September können sich dort ein letztes Mal alle „Cupper“ treffen und gemeinsam die Saison mit spannenden Rennen auf Finne und Foil ausklingen lassen.
Alle Informationen und aktuelle News zum California Windsurf Cup findet man immer auf der offiziellen Website.
2024 PWA Japan World Cup Tag 2
12 11.2024
Justine Lemeteyer und Pierre Mortefon starten gut in ihre Weltmeisterschaftsrennen, Lemeteyer und Matteo Iachino führen nach dem ersten Tag des Rennens
Nach einem ruhigen Auftakt gestern war der zweite Tag des 2024 Fly! ANA Yokosuka, Miura Windsurf World Cup war der zweite Tag das genaue Gegenteil, denn zwischen 9:15 Uhr und 16:00 Uhr wurde ein ganzer Regattatag ohne jegliche Unterbrechung absolviert. Der heutige Tag war ein echter Allround-Test, denn die starken Winde von heute Morgen - 15-22 Knoten - schwächten sich bis zum frühen Abend langsam auf 7-10 Knoten ab, so dass die weltbesten Windsurfer ständig auf der Hut sein und sich an die Bedingungen anpassen mussten.
Foil Slalom
Women’s
A Minor Wobble
Justine Lemeteyer (FMX Racing / S2Maui) started her quest for a maiden world title with a solid second place in the opening elimination, but the current World Tour leader didn’t have things all her own way today after finishing fourth in Elimination 2. At that point, Marion Mortefon (PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils) led the event rankings after winning the second elimination, while Lemeteyer was doing just enough in third, but with only one point separating her and Tamar Steinberg (Future Fly) in fourth, the pressure of fighting for the world title possibly started to show…
Steadying The Ship
Cue a phone call from Lemeteyer to her parents to steady the ship, and whatever was said between them seemed to do the trick, as she came out firing on all cylinders in the light winds to claim a dominant victory in Elimination 3, which crucially sees her jump to the top of the rankings at the close of play, and more importantly, is now completely in control of the title race.
Marion Mortefon couldn’t have done much more in her bid to secure another world title after recording a bullet, a second place and a fourth today, which sees her tied on 6.7 points with Lemeteyer. However, while Mortefon remains firmly in the hunt for the event title, her world title hopes have taken a major hit today given that their next closest challenger is Steinberg on 12 points, and Blanca Alabau (Starboard / Severne Sails), who sits on 13 points. In order for Mortefon to have any chance of winning the event she must win it and then have Lemeteyer finish outside of the top three, which while not impossible, now looks unlikely.
Reigning event champion Lina Eržen (Starboard / Severne Sails) made the perfect start to her defence with a brilliant bullet in the opener, but then couldn’t quite replicate that performance in the next two races as she recorded a fifth and a tenth to finish the opening day of racing in fifth place.
Meanwhile, Sara Wennekes (Future Fly / Severne Sails) bounced back from a tenth in the opening elimination by securing two solid third places, which could see her jump up the rankings after the completion of Elimination 4 when the discard comes into play, while 14-year-old Bobbi-Lynn De Jong (Starboard / NeilPryde) completes the top seven.
Men’s Having finished in a disappointing ninth place in Sylt, Matteo Iachino (Starboard / Severne Sails) bounced back brilliantly on the opening day of racing here to head up the end of day rankings after recording two solid second places. Iachino may effectively be out of the title race now, but today’s performance keeps him firmly in the hunt for the overall podium.
Meanwhile, Pierre Mortefon (Phantom / Phantom Sails / Phantom Foils) has put himself firmly in the driving seat to secure his second world title of the season. The Frenchman laid it all on the line in the opening race as he went head-to-head with Daniele Benedetti (FMX Racing / Challenger Sails) in the winners’ final and came out on top to secure the opening bullet of the event. Crucially Mortefon then finished ahead of Benedetti in Elimination 2 - finishing fourth and fifth respectively - to open up a 3.3 point advantage over his Italian rival, who to have any chance of winning a maiden world crown, must finish ahead of Mortefon. There’s still a long way to go, but Benedetti, who sits fourth in the overnight rankings, now has a bit of a mountain to climb, especially given Mortefon’s level of consistency.
Enrico Marotti (JP / NeilPryde) started the event ranked third in the world and the Croatian remains on course to complete the overall podium after the opening day of racing. Marotti is currently tied on eight points with Benedetti and to drop off out of the overall top three he would need to finish sixth or worse and Iachino would still need to win the event.
Johan Søe (FMX Racing / Point-7) didn’t put a foot wrong in seven eliminations in Sylt, but the young Dane jumped the gun in the opening semifinal of Elimination 1 - resulting in his disqualification from the heat - before winning the b-final. Søe responded in the perfect fashion by earning a clinical bullet in Elimination 2, but may be left ruing pushing the start so hard in the opener, given the apparent extra gear he possesses - although he also produced some incredible gybes, which is often where he also gained a lot of ground. Given his level of performance in Sylt, you still wouldn’t bet against him now reeling off a hat-trick of bullets to head to the top of the event rankings, but he has perhaps, somewhat unnecessarily, reduced his margin of error to claim back-to-back victories on the World Tour. Time will soon tell that though and he possesses an unbelievable level of self-confidence in his racing ability.
Jordy Vonk (Duotone Windsurfing) made a great start to the day with an excellent fourth place, but then just missed out on the winners’ final to eventually finish eleventh In Elimination 2, which sees him ranked sixth at the close of play - two points ahead of Maciek Rutkowski (NeilPryde) in seventh.
Elia Colombo (PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils) enjoyed a great day after qualifying for the first winners final - 7th - before finishing 13th in the next to finish the opening day ranked 8th overall. The top ten is currently completed by Bruno Martini (JP / NeilPryde), Nico Prien (JP / NeilPryde) and Amado Vrieswijk (Future Fly / Severne Sails) - the latter two are tied for tenth on 22 points.
Cedric Bordes (Severne / Severne Sails) deserves a special mention after battling through the pain barrier today. The Frenchman had an individual crash with his foil, which resulted in a nasty gash in his back, but he continued to not only race, but also finish twelfth in both eliminations completed thus far. After racing had concluded, Bordes later required twenty stitches.
The forecast for Sunday looks promising once again with 12-18 knots predicted during the earlier part of the day, which should hopefully provide more racing. As today, sailors will meet at 8am (GMT+9) for the skippers’ meeting, followed by a first possible start at 9am.
Current Ranking 2024 Fly! ANA Yokosuka, Miura Windsurf World Cup - Women’s Foil Slalom *After 3 Eliminations
1st Justine Lemeteyer (FRA | FMX Racing / S2Maui)
2nd Marion Mortefon (FRA | PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils)
3rd Tamar Steinberg (ISR | Future Fly)
4th Blanca Alabau (ESP | Starboard / Severne Sails)
5th Lina Eržen (SLO | Starboard / Severne Sails)
Current Ranking 2024 Fly! ANA Yokosuka, Miura Windsurf World Cup - Men’s Foil Slalom *After 2 Eliminations
1st Matteo Iachino (ITA | Starboard / Severne Sails)
2nd Pierre Mortefon (FRA | Phantom / Phantom Sails / Phantom Foils)
3rd Enrico Marotti (CRO | JP / NeilPryde)
4th Daniele Benedetti (ITA | FMX Racing / Challenger Sails)
5th Johan Søe (DEN | FMX Racing / Challenger Sails)
6th Jordy Vonk (NED | Duotone Windsurfing)
7th Maciek Rutkowski (POL | NeilPryde)
8th Elia Colombo (SUI | PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils)
9th Bruno Martini (ITA | JP / NeilPryde)
10th Nico Prien (GER | JP / NeilPryde)
10th Amado Vrieswijk (NB | Future Fly / Severne Sails)
Foil Slalom
Women’s
A Minor Wobble
Justine Lemeteyer (FMX Racing / S2Maui) started her quest for a maiden world title with a solid second place in the opening elimination, but the current World Tour leader didn’t have things all her own way today after finishing fourth in Elimination 2. At that point, Marion Mortefon (PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils) led the event rankings after winning the second elimination, while Lemeteyer was doing just enough in third, but with only one point separating her and Tamar Steinberg (Future Fly) in fourth, the pressure of fighting for the world title possibly started to show…
Steadying The Ship
Cue a phone call from Lemeteyer to her parents to steady the ship, and whatever was said between them seemed to do the trick, as she came out firing on all cylinders in the light winds to claim a dominant victory in Elimination 3, which crucially sees her jump to the top of the rankings at the close of play, and more importantly, is now completely in control of the title race.
Marion Mortefon couldn’t have done much more in her bid to secure another world title after recording a bullet, a second place and a fourth today, which sees her tied on 6.7 points with Lemeteyer. However, while Mortefon remains firmly in the hunt for the event title, her world title hopes have taken a major hit today given that their next closest challenger is Steinberg on 12 points, and Blanca Alabau (Starboard / Severne Sails), who sits on 13 points. In order for Mortefon to have any chance of winning the event she must win it and then have Lemeteyer finish outside of the top three, which while not impossible, now looks unlikely.
Reigning event champion Lina Eržen (Starboard / Severne Sails) made the perfect start to her defence with a brilliant bullet in the opener, but then couldn’t quite replicate that performance in the next two races as she recorded a fifth and a tenth to finish the opening day of racing in fifth place.
Meanwhile, Sara Wennekes (Future Fly / Severne Sails) bounced back from a tenth in the opening elimination by securing two solid third places, which could see her jump up the rankings after the completion of Elimination 4 when the discard comes into play, while 14-year-old Bobbi-Lynn De Jong (Starboard / NeilPryde) completes the top seven.
Men’s Having finished in a disappointing ninth place in Sylt, Matteo Iachino (Starboard / Severne Sails) bounced back brilliantly on the opening day of racing here to head up the end of day rankings after recording two solid second places. Iachino may effectively be out of the title race now, but today’s performance keeps him firmly in the hunt for the overall podium.
Meanwhile, Pierre Mortefon (Phantom / Phantom Sails / Phantom Foils) has put himself firmly in the driving seat to secure his second world title of the season. The Frenchman laid it all on the line in the opening race as he went head-to-head with Daniele Benedetti (FMX Racing / Challenger Sails) in the winners’ final and came out on top to secure the opening bullet of the event. Crucially Mortefon then finished ahead of Benedetti in Elimination 2 - finishing fourth and fifth respectively - to open up a 3.3 point advantage over his Italian rival, who to have any chance of winning a maiden world crown, must finish ahead of Mortefon. There’s still a long way to go, but Benedetti, who sits fourth in the overnight rankings, now has a bit of a mountain to climb, especially given Mortefon’s level of consistency.
Enrico Marotti (JP / NeilPryde) started the event ranked third in the world and the Croatian remains on course to complete the overall podium after the opening day of racing. Marotti is currently tied on eight points with Benedetti and to drop off out of the overall top three he would need to finish sixth or worse and Iachino would still need to win the event.
Johan Søe (FMX Racing / Point-7) didn’t put a foot wrong in seven eliminations in Sylt, but the young Dane jumped the gun in the opening semifinal of Elimination 1 - resulting in his disqualification from the heat - before winning the b-final. Søe responded in the perfect fashion by earning a clinical bullet in Elimination 2, but may be left ruing pushing the start so hard in the opener, given the apparent extra gear he possesses - although he also produced some incredible gybes, which is often where he also gained a lot of ground. Given his level of performance in Sylt, you still wouldn’t bet against him now reeling off a hat-trick of bullets to head to the top of the event rankings, but he has perhaps, somewhat unnecessarily, reduced his margin of error to claim back-to-back victories on the World Tour. Time will soon tell that though and he possesses an unbelievable level of self-confidence in his racing ability.
Jordy Vonk (Duotone Windsurfing) made a great start to the day with an excellent fourth place, but then just missed out on the winners’ final to eventually finish eleventh In Elimination 2, which sees him ranked sixth at the close of play - two points ahead of Maciek Rutkowski (NeilPryde) in seventh.
Elia Colombo (PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils) enjoyed a great day after qualifying for the first winners final - 7th - before finishing 13th in the next to finish the opening day ranked 8th overall. The top ten is currently completed by Bruno Martini (JP / NeilPryde), Nico Prien (JP / NeilPryde) and Amado Vrieswijk (Future Fly / Severne Sails) - the latter two are tied for tenth on 22 points.
Cedric Bordes (Severne / Severne Sails) deserves a special mention after battling through the pain barrier today. The Frenchman had an individual crash with his foil, which resulted in a nasty gash in his back, but he continued to not only race, but also finish twelfth in both eliminations completed thus far. After racing had concluded, Bordes later required twenty stitches.
The forecast for Sunday looks promising once again with 12-18 knots predicted during the earlier part of the day, which should hopefully provide more racing. As today, sailors will meet at 8am (GMT+9) for the skippers’ meeting, followed by a first possible start at 9am.
Current Ranking 2024 Fly! ANA Yokosuka, Miura Windsurf World Cup - Women’s Foil Slalom *After 3 Eliminations
1st Justine Lemeteyer (FRA | FMX Racing / S2Maui)
2nd Marion Mortefon (FRA | PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils)
3rd Tamar Steinberg (ISR | Future Fly)
4th Blanca Alabau (ESP | Starboard / Severne Sails)
5th Lina Eržen (SLO | Starboard / Severne Sails)
Current Ranking 2024 Fly! ANA Yokosuka, Miura Windsurf World Cup - Men’s Foil Slalom *After 2 Eliminations
1st Matteo Iachino (ITA | Starboard / Severne Sails)
2nd Pierre Mortefon (FRA | Phantom / Phantom Sails / Phantom Foils)
3rd Enrico Marotti (CRO | JP / NeilPryde)
4th Daniele Benedetti (ITA | FMX Racing / Challenger Sails)
5th Johan Søe (DEN | FMX Racing / Challenger Sails)
6th Jordy Vonk (NED | Duotone Windsurfing)
7th Maciek Rutkowski (POL | NeilPryde)
8th Elia Colombo (SUI | PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils)
9th Bruno Martini (ITA | JP / NeilPryde)
10th Nico Prien (GER | JP / NeilPryde)
10th Amado Vrieswijk (NB | Future Fly / Severne Sails)
2024 PWA Japan World Cup
12 11.2024
Zusammenfassung der Veranstaltung: Justine Lemeteyer & Pierre Mortefon werden Weltmeister im Foil-Slalom, während Marion Mortefon & Johan Søe als Event-Champions aus Japan abreisen.
Der 2024 Fly! ANA Yokosuka, Miura Windsurf World Cup mag zwar nicht ganz so viele Rennen wie im letzten Jahr hervorgebracht haben, aber am zweiten und dritten Tag gab es am Strand von Tsukuihama, Yokosuka, dennoch einige großartige Rennen, um die PWA Foil Slalom Weltmeister 2024 zu entscheiden. Insgesamt wurden vier Ausscheidungen für die Männer- und Frauenfleets ausgetragen, bei denen Marion Mortefon (PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils) und Johan Søe (FMX Racing / Point-7 / PATRIK Foils) die letzten Eventsiege der Saison einfuhren, während Justine Lemeteyer (FMX Racing / S2Maui) und Pierre Mortefon (Phantom / Phantom Sails / Phantom Foils) als verdiente Weltmeister vom Platz gingen.
Foil Slalom
Women
Justine Lemeteyer survived an anxious two day wait to officially be crowned the 2024 Women’s Foil Slalom PWA World Champion, which is the 22-year-olds maiden world crowned, but quite possibly not her last given how impeccably she has raced for the majority of the year. Lemeteyer understandably had a slight wobble here after finishing twelfth in Elimination 4 - which she discards. Lemeteyer won two out of the three events this year to deservedly become world champion, while she also walks away from Japan with a solid second place.
Marion Mortefon did everything in her power to deny Lemeteyer a maiden world title, but it wasn’t quite to be this time around. The former world champion raced brilliantly this week as she recorded two bullets, a second and a fourth to win the event on a total of 3.4 points, which sees her finish 2024 as the vice-world champion.
Elsewhere, last year’s world champion - Blanca Alabau (Starboard / Severne Sails) - completes the prestigious overall podium, while 14-year-old Bobbi-Lynn De Jong (Starboard / NeilPryde) finishes fourth in the overalls in her first full year on tour and looks a huge talent for the future.
In terms of the event, 2023 event champion, Lina Eržen (Starboard / Severne Sails) completes the event podium, but there was just 3.3 point separating third to sixth, such was the closeness of the racing here. Tamar Steinberg (Future Fly) just misses out on the podium in fourth followed by Sara Wennekes (Future Fly / Severne Sails) and Blanca Alabau respectively.
Men’s
The 2024 season couldn’t have gone any better for Pierre Mortefon, who walks away from Japan with his second world title of the season to be crowned the undisputed racing world champion having claimed the Slalom X world title earlier in the season. Mortefon has raced extremely consistently this year and he repeated that level of consistency over the last five days here with a bullet, a second, a fourth and a fifth to claim second place here.
Johan Søe started the event with a small error after jumping the gun in the semifinals of the opening elimination, but after that he didn’t put a foot wrong as he reeled off a clinical hat-trick to win his second event in a row, while finishing on a perfect score of 2.1 points. Søe looks as though he has the ability to dominate like racing legends Björn Dunkerbeck (Starboard / Severne Sails) and Antoine Albeau (JP / NeilPryde) used to do in previous years and he looks an ominous force moving forwards. After last year’s heartbreak here, this will at least go some way to softening the blow.
Daniele Benedetti (FMX Racing / Challenger Sails) gave Mortefon a valiant fight for the title and must be wishing that there could've been just one more race to give him a shot at snatching the crown. The Italian recorded his best result of the event in Elimination 4 to close within 2.3 points of Mortefon, but didn't get a chance for a final showdown. Like Mortefon, Benedetti didn't finish outside the top five once and can be proud of how he fought over the last five day and he still finishes the season as the vice-world champion.
Matteo Iachino (Starboard / Severne Sails) bounced back brilliantly from a ninth place finish in Sylt to sign off the season with a podium. The Italian finished just 0.3 of a point behind Mortefon after recording two second places and two third places. Iachino just misses out on the overall podium to Enrico Marotti (JP / NeilPryde) with only 100 points separating the two heavyweights. Marotti completes the prestigious overall podium for the second time in his career after also achieving the feat in 2022.
The overall top 10 is completed by Maciek Rutkowski (NeilPryde) - 5th - last year’s vice-world champion Amado Vrieswijk (Future Fly / Severne Sails) - 6th - Jordy Vonk (Duotone Windsurfing) - 7th - Nico Prien (JP / NeilPryde) - 8th - Alexis Mathis (Tabou / GA Sails) - 9th - and Michele Becker (PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils) - 10th.
That concludes the 2024 PWA World Tour, so congratulations to all of the respective world champions from this year. We’d like to sign off this season by saying a massive thanks to the organisers and volunteers here in Japan - without whom this event wouldn’t be possible, and we hope to return in 2025.
Overall Ranking 2024 PWA World Tour - Women’s Foil Slalom
1st Justine Lemeteyer (FRA | FMX Racing / S2Maui)
2nd Marion Mortefon (FRA | PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils)
3rd Blanca Alabau (ESP | Starboard / Severne Sails)
4th Bobbi-Lynn De Jong (NB | Starboard / NeilPryde)
5th Mae Davico (FRA | PATRIK / Loftsails)
Overall Ranking 2024 PWA World Tour - Men’s Foil Slalom
1st Pierre Mortefon (FRA | Phantom / Phantom Sails / Phantom Foils)
2nd Daniele Benedetti (ITA | FMX Racing / Challenger Sails)
3rd Enrico Marotti (CRO | JP / NeilPryde)
4th Matteo Iachino (ITA | Starboard / Severne Sails)
5th Maciek Rutkowski (POL | NeilPryde)
6th Amado Vrieswijk (NB | Future Fly / Severne Sails)
7th Jordy Vonk (NED | Duotone Windsurfing)
8th Nico Prien (GER | JP / NeilPryde)
9th Alexis Mathis (FRA | Tabou / GA Sails)
10th Michele Becker (GER | PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils)
Result 2024 Fly! ANA Yokosuka, Miura Windsurf World Cup - Women’s Foil Slalom
1st Marion Mortefon (FRA | PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils)
2nd Justine Lemeteyer (FRA | FMX Racing / S2Maui)
3rd Lina Eržen (SLO | Starboard / Severne Sails)
4th Tamar Steinberg (ISR | Future Fly)
5th Sara Wennekes (NED | Future Fly / Severne Sails)
Result 2024 Fly! ANA Yokosuka, Miura Windsurf World Cup - Men’s Foil Slalom
1st Johan Søe (DEN | FMX Racing / Point-7 / PATRIK Foils)
2nd Pierre Mortefon (FRA | Phantom / Phantom Sails / Phantom Foils)
3rd Matteo Iachino (ITA | Starboard / Severne Sails)
4th Daniele Benedetti (ITA | FMX Racing / Challenger Sails)
5th Jordy Vonk (NED | Duotone Windsurfing)
6th Enrico Marotti (CRO | JP / NeilPryde)
7th Maciek Rutkowski (POL | NeilPryde)
8th Nico Prien (GER | JP / NeilPryde)
9th Amado Vrieswijk (NB | Future Fly / Severne Sails)
10th Michele Becker (GER | PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils)
Foil Slalom
Women
Justine Lemeteyer survived an anxious two day wait to officially be crowned the 2024 Women’s Foil Slalom PWA World Champion, which is the 22-year-olds maiden world crowned, but quite possibly not her last given how impeccably she has raced for the majority of the year. Lemeteyer understandably had a slight wobble here after finishing twelfth in Elimination 4 - which she discards. Lemeteyer won two out of the three events this year to deservedly become world champion, while she also walks away from Japan with a solid second place.
Marion Mortefon did everything in her power to deny Lemeteyer a maiden world title, but it wasn’t quite to be this time around. The former world champion raced brilliantly this week as she recorded two bullets, a second and a fourth to win the event on a total of 3.4 points, which sees her finish 2024 as the vice-world champion.
Elsewhere, last year’s world champion - Blanca Alabau (Starboard / Severne Sails) - completes the prestigious overall podium, while 14-year-old Bobbi-Lynn De Jong (Starboard / NeilPryde) finishes fourth in the overalls in her first full year on tour and looks a huge talent for the future.
In terms of the event, 2023 event champion, Lina Eržen (Starboard / Severne Sails) completes the event podium, but there was just 3.3 point separating third to sixth, such was the closeness of the racing here. Tamar Steinberg (Future Fly) just misses out on the podium in fourth followed by Sara Wennekes (Future Fly / Severne Sails) and Blanca Alabau respectively.
Men’s
The 2024 season couldn’t have gone any better for Pierre Mortefon, who walks away from Japan with his second world title of the season to be crowned the undisputed racing world champion having claimed the Slalom X world title earlier in the season. Mortefon has raced extremely consistently this year and he repeated that level of consistency over the last five days here with a bullet, a second, a fourth and a fifth to claim second place here.
Johan Søe started the event with a small error after jumping the gun in the semifinals of the opening elimination, but after that he didn’t put a foot wrong as he reeled off a clinical hat-trick to win his second event in a row, while finishing on a perfect score of 2.1 points. Søe looks as though he has the ability to dominate like racing legends Björn Dunkerbeck (Starboard / Severne Sails) and Antoine Albeau (JP / NeilPryde) used to do in previous years and he looks an ominous force moving forwards. After last year’s heartbreak here, this will at least go some way to softening the blow.
Daniele Benedetti (FMX Racing / Challenger Sails) gave Mortefon a valiant fight for the title and must be wishing that there could've been just one more race to give him a shot at snatching the crown. The Italian recorded his best result of the event in Elimination 4 to close within 2.3 points of Mortefon, but didn't get a chance for a final showdown. Like Mortefon, Benedetti didn't finish outside the top five once and can be proud of how he fought over the last five day and he still finishes the season as the vice-world champion.
Matteo Iachino (Starboard / Severne Sails) bounced back brilliantly from a ninth place finish in Sylt to sign off the season with a podium. The Italian finished just 0.3 of a point behind Mortefon after recording two second places and two third places. Iachino just misses out on the overall podium to Enrico Marotti (JP / NeilPryde) with only 100 points separating the two heavyweights. Marotti completes the prestigious overall podium for the second time in his career after also achieving the feat in 2022.
The overall top 10 is completed by Maciek Rutkowski (NeilPryde) - 5th - last year’s vice-world champion Amado Vrieswijk (Future Fly / Severne Sails) - 6th - Jordy Vonk (Duotone Windsurfing) - 7th - Nico Prien (JP / NeilPryde) - 8th - Alexis Mathis (Tabou / GA Sails) - 9th - and Michele Becker (PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils) - 10th.
That concludes the 2024 PWA World Tour, so congratulations to all of the respective world champions from this year. We’d like to sign off this season by saying a massive thanks to the organisers and volunteers here in Japan - without whom this event wouldn’t be possible, and we hope to return in 2025.
Overall Ranking 2024 PWA World Tour - Women’s Foil Slalom
1st Justine Lemeteyer (FRA | FMX Racing / S2Maui)
2nd Marion Mortefon (FRA | PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils)
3rd Blanca Alabau (ESP | Starboard / Severne Sails)
4th Bobbi-Lynn De Jong (NB | Starboard / NeilPryde)
5th Mae Davico (FRA | PATRIK / Loftsails)
Overall Ranking 2024 PWA World Tour - Men’s Foil Slalom
1st Pierre Mortefon (FRA | Phantom / Phantom Sails / Phantom Foils)
2nd Daniele Benedetti (ITA | FMX Racing / Challenger Sails)
3rd Enrico Marotti (CRO | JP / NeilPryde)
4th Matteo Iachino (ITA | Starboard / Severne Sails)
5th Maciek Rutkowski (POL | NeilPryde)
6th Amado Vrieswijk (NB | Future Fly / Severne Sails)
7th Jordy Vonk (NED | Duotone Windsurfing)
8th Nico Prien (GER | JP / NeilPryde)
9th Alexis Mathis (FRA | Tabou / GA Sails)
10th Michele Becker (GER | PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils)
Result 2024 Fly! ANA Yokosuka, Miura Windsurf World Cup - Women’s Foil Slalom
1st Marion Mortefon (FRA | PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils)
2nd Justine Lemeteyer (FRA | FMX Racing / S2Maui)
3rd Lina Eržen (SLO | Starboard / Severne Sails)
4th Tamar Steinberg (ISR | Future Fly)
5th Sara Wennekes (NED | Future Fly / Severne Sails)
Result 2024 Fly! ANA Yokosuka, Miura Windsurf World Cup - Men’s Foil Slalom
1st Johan Søe (DEN | FMX Racing / Point-7 / PATRIK Foils)
2nd Pierre Mortefon (FRA | Phantom / Phantom Sails / Phantom Foils)
3rd Matteo Iachino (ITA | Starboard / Severne Sails)
4th Daniele Benedetti (ITA | FMX Racing / Challenger Sails)
5th Jordy Vonk (NED | Duotone Windsurfing)
6th Enrico Marotti (CRO | JP / NeilPryde)
7th Maciek Rutkowski (POL | NeilPryde)
8th Nico Prien (GER | JP / NeilPryde)
9th Amado Vrieswijk (NB | Future Fly / Severne Sails)
10th Michele Becker (GER | PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils)
2024 Aloha Classic Grand Final 2
29 10.2024
Mauis Beste feiern Aloha Classic-Siege: Browne & Offriinga werden zu Weltmeistern gekrönt.
Bis zu vier Meter hohe Wellen sorgten beim 40. Jubiläum des Aloha Classic Playa Surf CBbC Grand Final im Hookipa Beach Park auf Maui, Hawaii, für jede Menge Drama und Action. Die variablen Winde machten es den Wettkämpfern gelegentlich schwer, das richtige Material zu wählen, da es in scheinbar zufälligen Momenten von sehr leicht zu sehr windig wechselte, aber die soliden Wellen hielten den ganzen Tag und boten die richtige Plattform für eine atemberaubende Show.
The 2022 and 2023 World Windsurfing Wave Champions, Sarah-Quita Offringa from Aruba and Marcilio Browne from Brazil both achieved an incredible third consecutive world title by finishing in second at the final event of the year.
But it was the consistency, experience and perfection of the Maui residents, Bernd Roediger and Sarah Hauser, that took home the prestigious Aloha Classic wins.
EMOTIONAL VICTORIES AT WOMEN’S ALOHA CLASSIC
A nerve wracking first semi-final produced a see-saw battle between the two world title contenders, Offringa and Germany’s Lina Erpenstein, with both needing to claim a finals berth to keep their title hopes alive. However, Guadaloupe’s Coco Fouveau was determined to play spoiler, with her aggressive surf style turns in the power zone. Erpenstein carved through clean waves with precision and aggression, whilst Offringa showcased her strength and control in the gusty, high winds. She executed under the lip power turns and finished with a clean end section hit to take the semi-final win over Fouveau.
With Erpenstein relegated to a 5th place finish at the Aloha Classic, the world title became Offringa’s. Overcome with emotion, Offringa tearfully said: “It means more to me that I thought. I’m glad I could be out there and be in the final.” Incredibly, Offringa has won the Freestyle, Slalom X and Wave World Titles this year. “It’s been a goal of mine, I thought it was unattainable to do wave, freestyle and slalom but this is insane.”
In the second semi-final, New Caledonia’s Sarah Hauser, dominated from the start. The long time Maui resident powered through her turns and attacked the lip on multiple waves for a near excellent heat total of 15.30. Switerland’s Pauline Katz secured her first ever Aloha Classic finals berth with sweeping rail turns in the face of set waves.
The final showdown started with Hauser carving consecutive, precise turns in the pocket for a 6.0. But Offringa soon took charge, finding a long wave that offered five tight power turns, including a tail slide. Shortly after, she again found a wave where she connected powerful, tight turns under the lip and in the pocket to take the lead. Hauser waited patiently out the back. Upon finding a good set, she snapped turns tight in the pocket, hitting the lip at the end for a solid 8 and her third ever Aloha Classic win.
“I’ve been dreaming about this moment for a long time. It means everything to me. This was the first competition I ever came to do in 2012. This is a legendary event, it’s a dream come true,” she said.
Coco Fouveau’s third-place finish marked a triumphant return after recovering from a concussion 15 months prior. With strong rail work, she has proven herself a rising threat in Hawaii. Meanwhile, Katz may not have found her rhythm in the final, but her aggressive style and impressive turns capped her most successful season yet.
TENSE MOMENTS AS ROEDIGER AND BROWNE SHINE
Tension mounted during the quarter final heats of the Pro Mens, as the variable wind dropped considerably during some of the heats. Fighting for a world title, the crowd watched nervously as Browne sat in 4th position for most of his heat. Holding his nerve well, Browne managed find the right waves and hit sections in the light wind to progress into the semi. In yet another clutch moment of the same heat, Liam Dunkerbeck from Spain knocked out Guadaloupe’s Antoine Martin by pulling a perfect wave 360, right after a failed goiter attempt by Martin.
The second quarter final was just as drama filled. Whilst French/US rider Morgan Noireaux secured a confident victory, the rest of the riders all had identical points, totalling 10.20. Progression was awarded to Japan’s Takuma Sugi over Maui’s Levi Siver and French rider Julien Flechet as Sugi’s back up waves were higher than the others.
Maui’s Kail Lenny and Bernd Roediger then produced one of the best spectacles of the morning. Roediger executed perfect goiters and huge aerials to advance with the morning’s highest heat total of 16.40, whilst Lenny popped an aerial goiter and critical, under the lip hits to advance in second.
The fourth quarter final saw Guadaloupe’s Camille Juban and world number two, Spain’s Victor Fernandez advance, which kept the pressure on and the world title race open, given Fernandes was sitting in second and less than 300 points behind Browne.
The first men’s semi was action packed, with only one point ultimately separating first from fourth place.
The usually consistent Noireaux perhaps started to feel some pressure as the competition moved into the semis. Renowned for impeccable wave selection, the majority of his waves offered excellent single moves and big aerials, but didn’t have the connecting sections needed to beat the world’s best.
In the final moments, he pulled an incredibly critical, under the lip wave 360 off a solid wave. But without offering any other moves, the wave was awarded a 7, which wasn’t quite enough to move him into the advancing second place.
After almost being knocked out in the quarters, Browne made no mistakes at the start of this heat. he secured his winning scores right at the start with a mix of aerials, vertical lip hits, tweaked aerials and power turns.
The rppidly improving Dunkerbeck showcased a series of tail slides, aerials, lip hits and yet another perfect wave 360, where he rotates over the section to land on the wave face, ready for another move. Advancing into the final, the rising star said
“It feels amazing I can’t believe I made the final for the Aloha Classic. I’m just super stoked.“
The world title was decided in semi-final two, when Fernandez was knocked out by the aerial wizardry of Juban and Roediger, making Browne the world champion. Juban’s high amplitude aerials and late attacks on critical sections allowed him to progress in what his now his 8th consecutive finals appearance at world wave tour competitions.
Roediger looked to be having fun with a big aerial, but shifted gear to make a huge goiter off the main peak of a mast high set. He landed almost in floater position, flicked his hair out of the way and followed up with an aerial in the bowl and a heat winning eight point wave.
Some big names had to fall in the semis, and, unfortunately, one of those was Kai Lenny. Lenny still made multiple aerials on waves, one handed cut backs, floater re-entries and a tweaked air. His fast, rail work throughout the event showed good innovation, as he managed to squeeze more turns than everyone else. He devastatingly missed out on the final by 0.2 points, but left no doubt that the day he may achieve his lifelong dream of winning the Aloha Classic is near
The Men’s Final started with a bang. Browne started with a vertical, under the lip aerial, followed by a strong hit on an incoming section for 7 points. He then followed with a massive aerial on the next set wave to secure a heat total of 13.90. These remained his best two scores and he finished the event in second place, but as the 2024 World Champion.
“I’m lost for words. It’s an incredible feeling. I never thought I’d be standing here, I’m so happy. It’s my fifth world title and fourth in the waves. I can’t believe it. It’s more than I ever dreamed of. It’s a day I’ll never forget,” an ecstatic Browne said.
Roediger wasn’t daunted by the newly crowned world champion though. Early in the final, he took a solid wave with a set up turn that led into two critical aerials and then a perfect goiter for an 8.5. Gaining momentum, he continued his flow and charged at the next wave, seeming to float across heavy, looming sections as though he were part of the wave. Needless to say, his effortless lip hits and huge aerials impressed for a 7.1 and an Aloha Classic winning heat total of 15.60. A surprised Roediger said, “I’m totally speechless. I didn’t see this for myself at all. It’s one of those things, you have a certain feeling throughout the contest. You think things will go well, but you know you’re you and you know how fallible you are. You don’t think that about the other people. You just think ‘Those guys don’t make mistakes, those guys don’t fail’ It’s pretty cool.”
Young gun Dunkerbeck made it clear he wasn’t going to rest on the laurels of making his first final. Opting for slightly smaller waves, he attacked each lip with precision, kicking out his tail and landed two flawless wave 360s on consecutive rides to challenge the leaders. With a third place finish, Dunkerbeck solidified his reputation—no longer as an up-and-coming grom, but as a true contender and a real threat in Hawaii.
Despite landing some extraordinarily high aerials and stylish lip drifts, Juban made a few uncharacteristic errors on his early rotation attempts. Just as he looked to be gaining momentum, a wipeout caused him to lose his gear to the infamous Hookipa rocks and finish the event in a respectable fourth place.
The Aloha Classic finished the World Windsurfing Wave tour for 2024. Competitors will take a break and meet again at the first event in Japan in February 2025.
Pro Men's Results
Bernd Roediger
Marcilio Browne
Liam Dunkerbeck
Camille Juban
Kai Lenny / Morgan Noireaux
N/A
Victor Fernandez / Takuma Sugi
Pro Women’s Results
Sarah Hauser
Sarah- Quita Offringa
Coco Fouveau
Pauline Katz
Lina Erpenstein / Lisa Wermeister
N/A
Maria Andres / Shawna Cropas
The 2022 and 2023 World Windsurfing Wave Champions, Sarah-Quita Offringa from Aruba and Marcilio Browne from Brazil both achieved an incredible third consecutive world title by finishing in second at the final event of the year.
But it was the consistency, experience and perfection of the Maui residents, Bernd Roediger and Sarah Hauser, that took home the prestigious Aloha Classic wins.
EMOTIONAL VICTORIES AT WOMEN’S ALOHA CLASSIC
A nerve wracking first semi-final produced a see-saw battle between the two world title contenders, Offringa and Germany’s Lina Erpenstein, with both needing to claim a finals berth to keep their title hopes alive. However, Guadaloupe’s Coco Fouveau was determined to play spoiler, with her aggressive surf style turns in the power zone. Erpenstein carved through clean waves with precision and aggression, whilst Offringa showcased her strength and control in the gusty, high winds. She executed under the lip power turns and finished with a clean end section hit to take the semi-final win over Fouveau.
With Erpenstein relegated to a 5th place finish at the Aloha Classic, the world title became Offringa’s. Overcome with emotion, Offringa tearfully said: “It means more to me that I thought. I’m glad I could be out there and be in the final.” Incredibly, Offringa has won the Freestyle, Slalom X and Wave World Titles this year. “It’s been a goal of mine, I thought it was unattainable to do wave, freestyle and slalom but this is insane.”
In the second semi-final, New Caledonia’s Sarah Hauser, dominated from the start. The long time Maui resident powered through her turns and attacked the lip on multiple waves for a near excellent heat total of 15.30. Switerland’s Pauline Katz secured her first ever Aloha Classic finals berth with sweeping rail turns in the face of set waves.
The final showdown started with Hauser carving consecutive, precise turns in the pocket for a 6.0. But Offringa soon took charge, finding a long wave that offered five tight power turns, including a tail slide. Shortly after, she again found a wave where she connected powerful, tight turns under the lip and in the pocket to take the lead. Hauser waited patiently out the back. Upon finding a good set, she snapped turns tight in the pocket, hitting the lip at the end for a solid 8 and her third ever Aloha Classic win.
“I’ve been dreaming about this moment for a long time. It means everything to me. This was the first competition I ever came to do in 2012. This is a legendary event, it’s a dream come true,” she said.
Coco Fouveau’s third-place finish marked a triumphant return after recovering from a concussion 15 months prior. With strong rail work, she has proven herself a rising threat in Hawaii. Meanwhile, Katz may not have found her rhythm in the final, but her aggressive style and impressive turns capped her most successful season yet.
TENSE MOMENTS AS ROEDIGER AND BROWNE SHINE
Tension mounted during the quarter final heats of the Pro Mens, as the variable wind dropped considerably during some of the heats. Fighting for a world title, the crowd watched nervously as Browne sat in 4th position for most of his heat. Holding his nerve well, Browne managed find the right waves and hit sections in the light wind to progress into the semi. In yet another clutch moment of the same heat, Liam Dunkerbeck from Spain knocked out Guadaloupe’s Antoine Martin by pulling a perfect wave 360, right after a failed goiter attempt by Martin.
The second quarter final was just as drama filled. Whilst French/US rider Morgan Noireaux secured a confident victory, the rest of the riders all had identical points, totalling 10.20. Progression was awarded to Japan’s Takuma Sugi over Maui’s Levi Siver and French rider Julien Flechet as Sugi’s back up waves were higher than the others.
Maui’s Kail Lenny and Bernd Roediger then produced one of the best spectacles of the morning. Roediger executed perfect goiters and huge aerials to advance with the morning’s highest heat total of 16.40, whilst Lenny popped an aerial goiter and critical, under the lip hits to advance in second.
The fourth quarter final saw Guadaloupe’s Camille Juban and world number two, Spain’s Victor Fernandez advance, which kept the pressure on and the world title race open, given Fernandes was sitting in second and less than 300 points behind Browne.
The first men’s semi was action packed, with only one point ultimately separating first from fourth place.
The usually consistent Noireaux perhaps started to feel some pressure as the competition moved into the semis. Renowned for impeccable wave selection, the majority of his waves offered excellent single moves and big aerials, but didn’t have the connecting sections needed to beat the world’s best.
In the final moments, he pulled an incredibly critical, under the lip wave 360 off a solid wave. But without offering any other moves, the wave was awarded a 7, which wasn’t quite enough to move him into the advancing second place.
After almost being knocked out in the quarters, Browne made no mistakes at the start of this heat. he secured his winning scores right at the start with a mix of aerials, vertical lip hits, tweaked aerials and power turns.
The rppidly improving Dunkerbeck showcased a series of tail slides, aerials, lip hits and yet another perfect wave 360, where he rotates over the section to land on the wave face, ready for another move. Advancing into the final, the rising star said
“It feels amazing I can’t believe I made the final for the Aloha Classic. I’m just super stoked.“
The world title was decided in semi-final two, when Fernandez was knocked out by the aerial wizardry of Juban and Roediger, making Browne the world champion. Juban’s high amplitude aerials and late attacks on critical sections allowed him to progress in what his now his 8th consecutive finals appearance at world wave tour competitions.
Roediger looked to be having fun with a big aerial, but shifted gear to make a huge goiter off the main peak of a mast high set. He landed almost in floater position, flicked his hair out of the way and followed up with an aerial in the bowl and a heat winning eight point wave.
Some big names had to fall in the semis, and, unfortunately, one of those was Kai Lenny. Lenny still made multiple aerials on waves, one handed cut backs, floater re-entries and a tweaked air. His fast, rail work throughout the event showed good innovation, as he managed to squeeze more turns than everyone else. He devastatingly missed out on the final by 0.2 points, but left no doubt that the day he may achieve his lifelong dream of winning the Aloha Classic is near
The Men’s Final started with a bang. Browne started with a vertical, under the lip aerial, followed by a strong hit on an incoming section for 7 points. He then followed with a massive aerial on the next set wave to secure a heat total of 13.90. These remained his best two scores and he finished the event in second place, but as the 2024 World Champion.
“I’m lost for words. It’s an incredible feeling. I never thought I’d be standing here, I’m so happy. It’s my fifth world title and fourth in the waves. I can’t believe it. It’s more than I ever dreamed of. It’s a day I’ll never forget,” an ecstatic Browne said.
Roediger wasn’t daunted by the newly crowned world champion though. Early in the final, he took a solid wave with a set up turn that led into two critical aerials and then a perfect goiter for an 8.5. Gaining momentum, he continued his flow and charged at the next wave, seeming to float across heavy, looming sections as though he were part of the wave. Needless to say, his effortless lip hits and huge aerials impressed for a 7.1 and an Aloha Classic winning heat total of 15.60. A surprised Roediger said, “I’m totally speechless. I didn’t see this for myself at all. It’s one of those things, you have a certain feeling throughout the contest. You think things will go well, but you know you’re you and you know how fallible you are. You don’t think that about the other people. You just think ‘Those guys don’t make mistakes, those guys don’t fail’ It’s pretty cool.”
Young gun Dunkerbeck made it clear he wasn’t going to rest on the laurels of making his first final. Opting for slightly smaller waves, he attacked each lip with precision, kicking out his tail and landed two flawless wave 360s on consecutive rides to challenge the leaders. With a third place finish, Dunkerbeck solidified his reputation—no longer as an up-and-coming grom, but as a true contender and a real threat in Hawaii.
Despite landing some extraordinarily high aerials and stylish lip drifts, Juban made a few uncharacteristic errors on his early rotation attempts. Just as he looked to be gaining momentum, a wipeout caused him to lose his gear to the infamous Hookipa rocks and finish the event in a respectable fourth place.
The Aloha Classic finished the World Windsurfing Wave tour for 2024. Competitors will take a break and meet again at the first event in Japan in February 2025.
Pro Men's Results
Bernd Roediger
Marcilio Browne
Liam Dunkerbeck
Camille Juban
Kai Lenny / Morgan Noireaux
N/A
Victor Fernandez / Takuma Sugi
Pro Women’s Results
Sarah Hauser
Sarah- Quita Offringa
Coco Fouveau
Pauline Katz
Lina Erpenstein / Lisa Wermeister
N/A
Maria Andres / Shawna Cropas
2024 Aloha Classic Grand Final 1
29 10.2024
Taboul und Dunkerbeck holen sich die Siege bei Masters und Pro Junior.
Der große Finaltag brachte einige beeindruckende Leistungen, sowohl von einer Legende des Sports als auch von einer potenziellen zukünftigen Legende. Die unter 21-jährigen Pro Junioren und die über 45-jährigen Masters wurden bei hohen Wellen und leichtem, ablandigem Wind zu Ende gesegelt.Dunkerbeck Crowned U21 Champion.
Spain’s Liam Dunkerbeck claimed a decisive victory today in the Pro Junior Aloha Classic. He set the bar high on his first wave, with top-to-bottom rail surfing, tail blows and aerials to earn a 7.6 – the highest single wave score of the final. While many competitors struggled to find waves with multiple manoeuvre opportunities, Dunkerbeck showed great maturity in his wave selection. He picked off a smaller wave, snapped some turns and finished with a wave 360.
Dunkerbeck’s dominance this year leaves no doubt he is the top U21 rider in the world. He has won every competition he’s entered, including Japan, Chile, Canary Islands and now Hawaii.
“It’s been three years in a row that I’m in the division and I’ve won every heat and every final for three years,” he said. “My focus will now be on the Pro Men’s where I am in the quarter finals. It will be hard heats from now, I will just go out and have fun and learn more.”
Finishing in second place, Japan’s Hayata Ishii cemented his reputation fearless riding at Hookipa. Ishii delivered crisp aerials and a goiter in the final and would have been more dangerous if he could find waves that offered connecting sections.
Germany’s Marlon Maethner rounded out the podium in third, showcasing aggressive riding on a big set wave to score a 6 and the third best wave of the final.
Despite a strong semi-final, Japan’s Ryu Noguchi appeared to feel finals pressure as the others caught bigger waves early on, leading him to chase smaller waves. However, Noguchi should feel encouraged by his impressive progress in the Pro Men’s division, where he advanced all the way to Round 5 with an attacking style.
Taboul Takes Out An All Goya Masters Final
Keith Taboul looked fast and loose as he hit critical sections to take down his all Goya colleagues. The stand-out rider showcased a vertical attack and fin release hits on some of the biggest sets of the day.
Taboul was riding a new board, partially inspired by the surf style direction Kai Lenny is taking.
“This is a new board that I made for this event. Paul and I have a good rivalry and he was making all these boards so I thought I would make myself a floater. It was only my second time sailing it,” he said.
“If I sail it right, it feels incredible. I was using a set of Kai’s fins, a thruster set. It’s a departure from the way I usually sail, but as long as I stayed close to the wave, I was getting good projection and down the line speed. I had to really surf the wave and think about it differently,” revealed the renowned shaper.
Brand owner and former World Champion, Francisco Goya, finished in second place. Goya was still attacking critical sections and pushing hard on the rail, however his waves simply offered fewer opportunities than Taboul’s.
“When you sail with friends, it brings out the best in everyone. My first event was in 1990 in Maui. I’m just forever grateful to be part of it for this long,” said a nostalgic Goya.
Team rider Vincent Beauvarlet has had a cracker of a competition, finishing third in the Master and equal 17th in the Pro Men. Meanwhile, Fish Bowl Diaries water photographer and Goya staff member, Paul Karaolides might face some good natured ribbing from colleague Taboul after finishing 4th. Karaolides started the event well with excellent top to bottom riding, but seemed to tire during the day after two long days of shooting the event.
Tomorrow looks to be a lay day, with Monday looking excellent as we progress towards finals day for Pro Men and Pro Women.
The Aloha Classic Wave Grand Final event is running until 1 November at Hookipa Beach Park in Maui, Hawaii.
Spain’s Liam Dunkerbeck claimed a decisive victory today in the Pro Junior Aloha Classic. He set the bar high on his first wave, with top-to-bottom rail surfing, tail blows and aerials to earn a 7.6 – the highest single wave score of the final. While many competitors struggled to find waves with multiple manoeuvre opportunities, Dunkerbeck showed great maturity in his wave selection. He picked off a smaller wave, snapped some turns and finished with a wave 360.
Dunkerbeck’s dominance this year leaves no doubt he is the top U21 rider in the world. He has won every competition he’s entered, including Japan, Chile, Canary Islands and now Hawaii.
“It’s been three years in a row that I’m in the division and I’ve won every heat and every final for three years,” he said. “My focus will now be on the Pro Men’s where I am in the quarter finals. It will be hard heats from now, I will just go out and have fun and learn more.”
Finishing in second place, Japan’s Hayata Ishii cemented his reputation fearless riding at Hookipa. Ishii delivered crisp aerials and a goiter in the final and would have been more dangerous if he could find waves that offered connecting sections.
Germany’s Marlon Maethner rounded out the podium in third, showcasing aggressive riding on a big set wave to score a 6 and the third best wave of the final.
Despite a strong semi-final, Japan’s Ryu Noguchi appeared to feel finals pressure as the others caught bigger waves early on, leading him to chase smaller waves. However, Noguchi should feel encouraged by his impressive progress in the Pro Men’s division, where he advanced all the way to Round 5 with an attacking style.
Taboul Takes Out An All Goya Masters Final
Keith Taboul looked fast and loose as he hit critical sections to take down his all Goya colleagues. The stand-out rider showcased a vertical attack and fin release hits on some of the biggest sets of the day.
Taboul was riding a new board, partially inspired by the surf style direction Kai Lenny is taking.
“This is a new board that I made for this event. Paul and I have a good rivalry and he was making all these boards so I thought I would make myself a floater. It was only my second time sailing it,” he said.
“If I sail it right, it feels incredible. I was using a set of Kai’s fins, a thruster set. It’s a departure from the way I usually sail, but as long as I stayed close to the wave, I was getting good projection and down the line speed. I had to really surf the wave and think about it differently,” revealed the renowned shaper.
Brand owner and former World Champion, Francisco Goya, finished in second place. Goya was still attacking critical sections and pushing hard on the rail, however his waves simply offered fewer opportunities than Taboul’s.
“When you sail with friends, it brings out the best in everyone. My first event was in 1990 in Maui. I’m just forever grateful to be part of it for this long,” said a nostalgic Goya.
Team rider Vincent Beauvarlet has had a cracker of a competition, finishing third in the Master and equal 17th in the Pro Men. Meanwhile, Fish Bowl Diaries water photographer and Goya staff member, Paul Karaolides might face some good natured ribbing from colleague Taboul after finishing 4th. Karaolides started the event well with excellent top to bottom riding, but seemed to tire during the day after two long days of shooting the event.
Tomorrow looks to be a lay day, with Monday looking excellent as we progress towards finals day for Pro Men and Pro Women.
The Aloha Classic Wave Grand Final event is running until 1 November at Hookipa Beach Park in Maui, Hawaii.
2024 Aloha Classic Tag 2
27 10.2024
Maui-„Regulars“ glänzen beim Aloha Classic Grand Final: Titelrennen verschiebt sich
Das Rennen um den Weltmeistertitel nahm heute einige aufregende Wendungen, als mehrere Anwärter ausscheiden mussten, während die Maui-„Regulars“ das Publikum mit einer unglaublichen Flugshow beim Aloha Classic Playa Surf CBbC Hotel Grand Final auf Hawaii begeisterten. Die Teilnehmer wurden mit großen, sauberen Wellen von einer nördlichen Dünung und einem leichten, schräg ablandigen Wind begrüßt.
HAWAIIAN EXPERIENCE PAVES THE WAY FOR PRO WOMEN
Once again, it was Ho’okipa’s seasoned riders who secured direct spots in the Pro Women’s semi-finals. Germany’s current world number one, Lina Erpenstein, was sent to the elimination round after facing stiff competition from Spain’s Maria Andres (Duotone Windsurfing) and Guadaloupe’s Coco Fouveau (Flikka / GUNSAILS). Erpenstein’s limited practice time—due to her final medical exams—undoubtedly impacted her performance. However, Andres confidently chose solid waves and rode high in the light conditions to maintain her speed, allowing her to execute her trademark power turns.
“I’m super stoked because the conditions are incredibly challenging. Just getting out was crazy. It was hard to choose the right waves too. The bigger ones had a section further down that was closing out, so it was hard to know how to position myself”, she said.
Fouveau looked happy to be back on the water following intermittent breaks due to a concussion. She stayed near the power zone, riding tight in the pocket to secure second place and advance to the semi-finals.
Maui resident, Sarah Hauser (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing), displayed some of the most critical riding of the women’s division. With powerful bottom turns, she set up sharp, surf-style snaps and confidently hit the lip to take the win in heat two.
“I got a tonne of sailing this season and I’m feeling like I’m progressing. It was super fun out here. We got so lucky because the wind kicked in 5 minutes before the start of the heat. I was just trying to hit the lip,” said a fired up Hauser.
Also moving into the semi-final was Maui resident, Shawna Cropas (Duotone Windsurfing). Cropas ended up on the rocks early in the heat and had to ride unfamiliar gear. But she adapted quickly, selecting smooth, peeling set waves and carving confidently through each turn to secure second place.
French rider Lisa Wermeister (Duotone Windsurfing) had a memorable day, outshining reigning world champion Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins), Riding some of the largest sets, she gained momentum as her turns grew increasingly bold and precise throughout heat three.
Offringa opted for smaller waves, which possibly cost her the win. But she executed powerful turns beneath the lip, stayed tight in the pocket, and threw buckets of spray with her powerful top turns. She advanced to the semi-finals, keeping her pursuit of a third consecutive wave world title alive.
WORLD TITLE CONTENDERS EXIT IN REDEMPTION ROUND
The big news of the Pro Men’s redemption round was the exit of world numbers three and four, Marino Gil (JP / NeilPryde / MFC) from Spain and Germany’s Philip Köster (Severne / Severne Sails / Black Project Fins), marking the end of their title hopes. The Japanese duo of Takuma Sugi (Tabou / GA Sails / Black Project Fins) and rising star Ryu Noguchi (Starboard / Severne Sails) were ecstatic to claim the scalp of Köster, whilst American Russell Faurot (Quatro / S2Maui / Black Project Fins) and French rider Baptiste Cloarec (RRD / RRD Sails) had a hard fought battle to dispose of Gil and Hayata Ishii (RRD / RRD Sails. Returning to competition after his battle with leukemia, Casey Hauser (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing) was a crowd favourite, but fell short against Poland’s Adam Warchol (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing) and the UK’s Robby Swift (JP / NeilPryde). Also advancing from the redemption round were French riders Jules Denel (Tabou / GA Sails) and Julien Flechet (Tabou / Hot Sails Maui).
Maui Riders Seize The Day
Round five kicked off with a rare strategic error by Brazil’s Marcilio Browne (Goya Windsurfing / MFC), who rode his first wave before the heat officially began, with what would have been one of his best waves. But it didn’t really matter. Browne impressed the judges on his next ride, charging vertically into mast-high sections, air-dropping down and executing another aerial for a 7.5. Riding faster and deeper than most, Browne consistently created opportunities, finishing the heat with four waves over the seven-point mark and a heat total of 14.70.
Continuing to impress in Hawaii, Spains Liam Dunkerbeck (Starboard / Severne Sails / MFC), the 2024 Pro Junior World Champion, advanced to the quarterfinals despite a remarkable aerial display from French rider Jules Denel. Dunkerbeck’s aerials looked effortless, his fin release top turns were radical and he even came close to landing a wave 360 attempt.
In heat two, Maui local Graham Ezzy (Tabou / Ezzy Sails) was on a roll, pushing former Aloha Classic winner, Antoine Martin (North Windsurfing) from Guadaloupe into second place. With light conditions, Ezzy opted for larger gear and focused on finding the waves with the best shape. “I’ve been doing a lot of coaching and I think about what I say to my students - stay on the power source of the wave, think of it as a dance. I try to remind myself of those. Just be focused on having fun”, he said.
Martin looked relaxed and playful, easily popping two consecutive one-handed aerials with different hands each time, finishing in second with a heat total of 12.10. If feels like he has more in the tank. promising plenty of excitement as he pushes towards even riskier moves.
A confident and flawless Morgan Noireaux (JP / NeilPryde / Black Project Fins) is looking unstoppable as he heads towards the quarterfinals. Despite the lighter wind, Noireaux seemed to gain speed with every turn, enabling him to blow the lip off the top and attack in a vertical manner. His wave selection was impeccable, and he seamlessly combined precision riding with consistent rotations. Almost presciently, he executed two perfect wave 360s, following up one with a taka, showcasing his ease in the mast high conditions. “My consistency at Ho’okipa is pretty darn good. I have a lot of confidence in everything I do. Our heat also got some of the better conditions of the day. I had a blast”, he said with a smile.
Building on his momentum from the redemption round, Julien Flechet put forth one of his best performances in Hawaii, also advancing to the quarterfinals. He consistently pulled off impressive aerials and tackled late sections, including a one-handed cutback and an arched back aerial.
However, the heat of the day was heat four. In the lead up to the event, many top riders had praised Levi Siver (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing / MFC) and he didn’t disappoint. Laying down his intent, he immediately attacked a large set wave section and followed it up with more critical turns for a 7.80.
But the answer back from Japan’s Takara Ishii was even better. He went up into the lip and followed with an aerial and two more aggressive turns for a 7.90.
Takuma Sugi (Tabou / GA Sails / Black Project Fins) came third in that first exchange, but still had an impressive 7.60 wave score. He was far more patient in the heat that the others and almost looked out of contention for a while. During that time, Siver found a solid set, blasted two vertical lip attacks and followed with a wave 360 to score a 9.10, the best wave of the day.
Just when it all seemed to be a battle for second, Sugi found an excellent set, executed a huge aerial and tight snaps to secure a heat total of 15.60 and seem like he could threaten Siver for the lead.
Although Ishii didn’t progress to the quarters, his heat total of 13.50 would have advanced him in any other heat.
Inspired by the strong performances, wave maestro Kai Lenny (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing / MFC) showed his repertoire of hardcore surf riding with impressive aerial tricks. He continued to improve as the heat progressed, breaking the boundaries between surfing and windsurfing. His surf style boards allowed him to get right under the lip for a vertical attack, recovering quickly for tight snaps in the pocket. He miraculously pulled off a wave 360 where he virtually disappeared behind the whitewater, and then pulled one of the most radical goiters ever seen in competition. Approaching the wave from underneath, he blasted through the lip for his second eight of the heat.
American Russ Faurot made his mark with some solid lip hits, wrapping turns and cutbacks, appearing poised to knock out the comeback King, Marc Paré. However, Paré remained patient, and when he finally found the right wave, hit two perfect aerials followed by a tight snap to earn seven points and solidify his progression into the quarterfinals.
Three more heats remain in Round 5 and competition looks set to continue tomorrow.
The Aloha Classic Wave Grand Final event is running until 1 November at Ho’okipa Beach Park in Maui, Hawaii.
HAWAIIAN EXPERIENCE PAVES THE WAY FOR PRO WOMEN
Once again, it was Ho’okipa’s seasoned riders who secured direct spots in the Pro Women’s semi-finals. Germany’s current world number one, Lina Erpenstein, was sent to the elimination round after facing stiff competition from Spain’s Maria Andres (Duotone Windsurfing) and Guadaloupe’s Coco Fouveau (Flikka / GUNSAILS). Erpenstein’s limited practice time—due to her final medical exams—undoubtedly impacted her performance. However, Andres confidently chose solid waves and rode high in the light conditions to maintain her speed, allowing her to execute her trademark power turns.
“I’m super stoked because the conditions are incredibly challenging. Just getting out was crazy. It was hard to choose the right waves too. The bigger ones had a section further down that was closing out, so it was hard to know how to position myself”, she said.
Fouveau looked happy to be back on the water following intermittent breaks due to a concussion. She stayed near the power zone, riding tight in the pocket to secure second place and advance to the semi-finals.
Maui resident, Sarah Hauser (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing), displayed some of the most critical riding of the women’s division. With powerful bottom turns, she set up sharp, surf-style snaps and confidently hit the lip to take the win in heat two.
“I got a tonne of sailing this season and I’m feeling like I’m progressing. It was super fun out here. We got so lucky because the wind kicked in 5 minutes before the start of the heat. I was just trying to hit the lip,” said a fired up Hauser.
Also moving into the semi-final was Maui resident, Shawna Cropas (Duotone Windsurfing). Cropas ended up on the rocks early in the heat and had to ride unfamiliar gear. But she adapted quickly, selecting smooth, peeling set waves and carving confidently through each turn to secure second place.
French rider Lisa Wermeister (Duotone Windsurfing) had a memorable day, outshining reigning world champion Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins), Riding some of the largest sets, she gained momentum as her turns grew increasingly bold and precise throughout heat three.
Offringa opted for smaller waves, which possibly cost her the win. But she executed powerful turns beneath the lip, stayed tight in the pocket, and threw buckets of spray with her powerful top turns. She advanced to the semi-finals, keeping her pursuit of a third consecutive wave world title alive.
WORLD TITLE CONTENDERS EXIT IN REDEMPTION ROUND
The big news of the Pro Men’s redemption round was the exit of world numbers three and four, Marino Gil (JP / NeilPryde / MFC) from Spain and Germany’s Philip Köster (Severne / Severne Sails / Black Project Fins), marking the end of their title hopes. The Japanese duo of Takuma Sugi (Tabou / GA Sails / Black Project Fins) and rising star Ryu Noguchi (Starboard / Severne Sails) were ecstatic to claim the scalp of Köster, whilst American Russell Faurot (Quatro / S2Maui / Black Project Fins) and French rider Baptiste Cloarec (RRD / RRD Sails) had a hard fought battle to dispose of Gil and Hayata Ishii (RRD / RRD Sails. Returning to competition after his battle with leukemia, Casey Hauser (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing) was a crowd favourite, but fell short against Poland’s Adam Warchol (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing) and the UK’s Robby Swift (JP / NeilPryde). Also advancing from the redemption round were French riders Jules Denel (Tabou / GA Sails) and Julien Flechet (Tabou / Hot Sails Maui).
Maui Riders Seize The Day
Round five kicked off with a rare strategic error by Brazil’s Marcilio Browne (Goya Windsurfing / MFC), who rode his first wave before the heat officially began, with what would have been one of his best waves. But it didn’t really matter. Browne impressed the judges on his next ride, charging vertically into mast-high sections, air-dropping down and executing another aerial for a 7.5. Riding faster and deeper than most, Browne consistently created opportunities, finishing the heat with four waves over the seven-point mark and a heat total of 14.70.
Continuing to impress in Hawaii, Spains Liam Dunkerbeck (Starboard / Severne Sails / MFC), the 2024 Pro Junior World Champion, advanced to the quarterfinals despite a remarkable aerial display from French rider Jules Denel. Dunkerbeck’s aerials looked effortless, his fin release top turns were radical and he even came close to landing a wave 360 attempt.
In heat two, Maui local Graham Ezzy (Tabou / Ezzy Sails) was on a roll, pushing former Aloha Classic winner, Antoine Martin (North Windsurfing) from Guadaloupe into second place. With light conditions, Ezzy opted for larger gear and focused on finding the waves with the best shape. “I’ve been doing a lot of coaching and I think about what I say to my students - stay on the power source of the wave, think of it as a dance. I try to remind myself of those. Just be focused on having fun”, he said.
Martin looked relaxed and playful, easily popping two consecutive one-handed aerials with different hands each time, finishing in second with a heat total of 12.10. If feels like he has more in the tank. promising plenty of excitement as he pushes towards even riskier moves.
A confident and flawless Morgan Noireaux (JP / NeilPryde / Black Project Fins) is looking unstoppable as he heads towards the quarterfinals. Despite the lighter wind, Noireaux seemed to gain speed with every turn, enabling him to blow the lip off the top and attack in a vertical manner. His wave selection was impeccable, and he seamlessly combined precision riding with consistent rotations. Almost presciently, he executed two perfect wave 360s, following up one with a taka, showcasing his ease in the mast high conditions. “My consistency at Ho’okipa is pretty darn good. I have a lot of confidence in everything I do. Our heat also got some of the better conditions of the day. I had a blast”, he said with a smile.
Building on his momentum from the redemption round, Julien Flechet put forth one of his best performances in Hawaii, also advancing to the quarterfinals. He consistently pulled off impressive aerials and tackled late sections, including a one-handed cutback and an arched back aerial.
However, the heat of the day was heat four. In the lead up to the event, many top riders had praised Levi Siver (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing / MFC) and he didn’t disappoint. Laying down his intent, he immediately attacked a large set wave section and followed it up with more critical turns for a 7.80.
But the answer back from Japan’s Takara Ishii was even better. He went up into the lip and followed with an aerial and two more aggressive turns for a 7.90.
Takuma Sugi (Tabou / GA Sails / Black Project Fins) came third in that first exchange, but still had an impressive 7.60 wave score. He was far more patient in the heat that the others and almost looked out of contention for a while. During that time, Siver found a solid set, blasted two vertical lip attacks and followed with a wave 360 to score a 9.10, the best wave of the day.
Just when it all seemed to be a battle for second, Sugi found an excellent set, executed a huge aerial and tight snaps to secure a heat total of 15.60 and seem like he could threaten Siver for the lead.
Although Ishii didn’t progress to the quarters, his heat total of 13.50 would have advanced him in any other heat.
Inspired by the strong performances, wave maestro Kai Lenny (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing / MFC) showed his repertoire of hardcore surf riding with impressive aerial tricks. He continued to improve as the heat progressed, breaking the boundaries between surfing and windsurfing. His surf style boards allowed him to get right under the lip for a vertical attack, recovering quickly for tight snaps in the pocket. He miraculously pulled off a wave 360 where he virtually disappeared behind the whitewater, and then pulled one of the most radical goiters ever seen in competition. Approaching the wave from underneath, he blasted through the lip for his second eight of the heat.
American Russ Faurot made his mark with some solid lip hits, wrapping turns and cutbacks, appearing poised to knock out the comeback King, Marc Paré. However, Paré remained patient, and when he finally found the right wave, hit two perfect aerials followed by a tight snap to earn seven points and solidify his progression into the quarterfinals.
Three more heats remain in Round 5 and competition looks set to continue tomorrow.
The Aloha Classic Wave Grand Final event is running until 1 November at Ho’okipa Beach Park in Maui, Hawaii.
2024 Aloha Classic Tag 1
26 10.2024
Die weltbesten Windsurfer glänzen an Tag 1
Masthohe Wellen sorgten am ersten Tag des Aloha Classic Playa Surf CBbC Hotel Grand Final auf Hawaii für ein spannendes Spektakel. Weltmeisterschafts-Träume sorgten für reichlich Action, aber der leichte, leicht auflandige Wind machte die Bedingungen im Ho'okipa Beach Park auf Maui für die weniger erfahrenen Surfer auch ein wenig knifflig.
Some dangerous local wildcards entered the bracket at Round 2, including the likes of Kai Lenny (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing / MFC), Levi Siver (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing / MFC), Graham Ezzy (Tabou / GA Sails) and Francisco Goya (Goya Windsurfing / MFC). Competitors nervously awaited to see who would get these in-form riders. Lenny came a close second in his heat to Arthur Arutkin (Duotone Windsurfing / Black Project Fins) and ended up with a Round 3 draw against former Aloha Classic winner, Bernd Roediger (Flikka / Hot Sails Maui / Black Project Fins), another red hot local favourite.
Not expecting such an intense match up so early in the competition, Roediger shifted from a more carefree attitude, saying:
“Seeing Kai in my heats, that changed my energy.”
The crowd favourites didn’t disappoint and used strong local knowledge to pick the best waves. A free flowing Roediger attacked sections and managed to just pull off a 360 manoeuvre. But Lenny answered back with an impossibly tweaked aerial and a wave 360 of his own to take the win. Lenny explained his secrets,
“It’s really wave choice out there. If I get on the best wave, that’s really steep, I can perform my surfing manoeuvres. The board I’m riding is one that I shaped and was built by Quatro. This was a really big inspiration from short board surfing. This board is unique compared to what everyone else is riding and especially suits today when you need to produce a lot of thrust at the bottom.”
Meanwhile, the highest heat totals of the day were shared by two of the world title contenders, Maui residents Morgan Noireaux (JP / NeilPryde / Black Project Fins) and Marcilio Browne (Goya Windsurfing / MFC.
Browne, the 2022 and 2023 World Champion, rode particularly deep, which meant he flowed from critical move to critical move, something that few others could achieve in the tricky conditions. As usual, his timing was impeccable and his moves flawless. He was the only rider to finish the day with every wave score being a 6 or above. His variety of moves and consistency of making them, are proving a third consecutive world title is well within his grasp.
Finishing in second place to Browne was Ezzy, who was excited to land a perfectly executed wave 360.
Throwing down the gauntlet in Heat 3, Noireaux also produced some of the highest scores of the day, with a pair of sevens. In the lighter, more onshore conditions, he too rode a little bit deeper and managed to get more critical hits than anyone else in his heat, as well as a perfectly executed goiter. Noireaux has lifted to another level this season and is a genuine podium contender, for both the Aloha Classic and the world title.
An in-form Siver blazed into second place, securing a direct spot in Round 5 with his sharp under-the-lip hits, tweaked airs, and explosive top turns.
The remainder of the renowned wave riders lived up to their reputations, delivering spectacular performances. Antoine Martin (North Windsurfing) made even the hardest moves look easy. His one-handed aerials were smooth, the goiter was perfect and his critical under the lip moves somehow seemed relaxed.
Likewise, Guadaloupe’s Camille Juban (AV-Boards / S2Maui / MFC) used his trademark precision to effortlessly land multiple aerials and wow the crowd with tweaked airs.
Not surprisingly, French rider Thomas Traversa (Tabou / GA Sails) didn’t hold back in the bigger waves, charging the lip at every opportunity to secure a strong win.
Traversa forced world title contender Marc Paré (Simmer / Simmer Sails) into a second place finish, but an aggressive, fast paced Paré still secured his Round 5 spot.
Takara Ishii (RRD / RRD Sails) had a close heat in the lightest winds of the day and progressed alongside an ecstatic Vincent Beauvarlet. Using moves that included goiters, one handed aerials and well timed lip hits, the boys were thrilled to send former world champion, Germany’s Philip Köster (Severne / Severne Sails / Black Project Fins) and Chilean charger, Alex Vargas to the elimination round.
Current world number two, Spain’s Victor Fernandez (Duotone Windsurfing / MFC) took a comfortable win in the final Round 3 heat of the day, showcasing blow tail top turns, aerials and lip hits.
The Pro Women competed only in the opening challenger round, where local favourite, Shawna Cropas (Duotone Windsurfing), revelled in the large surf. Her strong bottom turn / top turn combinations secured her place in the main event, where she promises to be formidable contender.Also advancing were Toia Sanjurjo and Svenja Chudoba.
The Aloha Classic Wave Grand Final event is running until 1st November at Ho’okipa Beach Park in Maui, Hawaii.
The current forecast predicts promising wind and swell for the next few days, which should provide for some incredible Grand Final performances.
Follow the live competition scores on LiveHeats. The full Live Broadcast will be streamed on the IWT Wave Tour YouTube channel, and the official IWT event page. Follow on social media channels @pwaworldtour and @IWT_Wave_Tour. The event also offers spectacular free viewing at Ho'okipa Beach Park.
Some dangerous local wildcards entered the bracket at Round 2, including the likes of Kai Lenny (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing / MFC), Levi Siver (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing / MFC), Graham Ezzy (Tabou / GA Sails) and Francisco Goya (Goya Windsurfing / MFC). Competitors nervously awaited to see who would get these in-form riders. Lenny came a close second in his heat to Arthur Arutkin (Duotone Windsurfing / Black Project Fins) and ended up with a Round 3 draw against former Aloha Classic winner, Bernd Roediger (Flikka / Hot Sails Maui / Black Project Fins), another red hot local favourite.
Not expecting such an intense match up so early in the competition, Roediger shifted from a more carefree attitude, saying:
“Seeing Kai in my heats, that changed my energy.”
The crowd favourites didn’t disappoint and used strong local knowledge to pick the best waves. A free flowing Roediger attacked sections and managed to just pull off a 360 manoeuvre. But Lenny answered back with an impossibly tweaked aerial and a wave 360 of his own to take the win. Lenny explained his secrets,
“It’s really wave choice out there. If I get on the best wave, that’s really steep, I can perform my surfing manoeuvres. The board I’m riding is one that I shaped and was built by Quatro. This was a really big inspiration from short board surfing. This board is unique compared to what everyone else is riding and especially suits today when you need to produce a lot of thrust at the bottom.”
Meanwhile, the highest heat totals of the day were shared by two of the world title contenders, Maui residents Morgan Noireaux (JP / NeilPryde / Black Project Fins) and Marcilio Browne (Goya Windsurfing / MFC.
Browne, the 2022 and 2023 World Champion, rode particularly deep, which meant he flowed from critical move to critical move, something that few others could achieve in the tricky conditions. As usual, his timing was impeccable and his moves flawless. He was the only rider to finish the day with every wave score being a 6 or above. His variety of moves and consistency of making them, are proving a third consecutive world title is well within his grasp.
Finishing in second place to Browne was Ezzy, who was excited to land a perfectly executed wave 360.
Throwing down the gauntlet in Heat 3, Noireaux also produced some of the highest scores of the day, with a pair of sevens. In the lighter, more onshore conditions, he too rode a little bit deeper and managed to get more critical hits than anyone else in his heat, as well as a perfectly executed goiter. Noireaux has lifted to another level this season and is a genuine podium contender, for both the Aloha Classic and the world title.
An in-form Siver blazed into second place, securing a direct spot in Round 5 with his sharp under-the-lip hits, tweaked airs, and explosive top turns.
The remainder of the renowned wave riders lived up to their reputations, delivering spectacular performances. Antoine Martin (North Windsurfing) made even the hardest moves look easy. His one-handed aerials were smooth, the goiter was perfect and his critical under the lip moves somehow seemed relaxed.
Likewise, Guadaloupe’s Camille Juban (AV-Boards / S2Maui / MFC) used his trademark precision to effortlessly land multiple aerials and wow the crowd with tweaked airs.
Not surprisingly, French rider Thomas Traversa (Tabou / GA Sails) didn’t hold back in the bigger waves, charging the lip at every opportunity to secure a strong win.
Traversa forced world title contender Marc Paré (Simmer / Simmer Sails) into a second place finish, but an aggressive, fast paced Paré still secured his Round 5 spot.
Takara Ishii (RRD / RRD Sails) had a close heat in the lightest winds of the day and progressed alongside an ecstatic Vincent Beauvarlet. Using moves that included goiters, one handed aerials and well timed lip hits, the boys were thrilled to send former world champion, Germany’s Philip Köster (Severne / Severne Sails / Black Project Fins) and Chilean charger, Alex Vargas to the elimination round.
Current world number two, Spain’s Victor Fernandez (Duotone Windsurfing / MFC) took a comfortable win in the final Round 3 heat of the day, showcasing blow tail top turns, aerials and lip hits.
The Pro Women competed only in the opening challenger round, where local favourite, Shawna Cropas (Duotone Windsurfing), revelled in the large surf. Her strong bottom turn / top turn combinations secured her place in the main event, where she promises to be formidable contender.Also advancing were Toia Sanjurjo and Svenja Chudoba.
The Aloha Classic Wave Grand Final event is running until 1st November at Ho’okipa Beach Park in Maui, Hawaii.
The current forecast predicts promising wind and swell for the next few days, which should provide for some incredible Grand Final performances.
Follow the live competition scores on LiveHeats. The full Live Broadcast will be streamed on the IWT Wave Tour YouTube channel, and the official IWT event page. Follow on social media channels @pwaworldtour and @IWT_Wave_Tour. The event also offers spectacular free viewing at Ho'okipa Beach Park.