NoveNove Maui Aloha Classic
Day 7: The end of the double eliminations edges closer
Day 7 of the 2016 NoveNove Maui Aloha Classic proved slightly tricky with the wind not quite filling in, but with glassy waves on offer, it was still possible to complete a few more heats for each of the men’s and women’s fleets. Women’s Double Elimination The opening six heats of the women’s double elimination were completed today and due to the marginal forecast the decision was made to sail two heats at a time during the first round, in order to save time with the lighter winds meaning there were more frequent breaks in the action. Amanda Beenen (99NoveNove / Point-7) and María Andrés (Fanatic / NorthSails) successfully won their first round heats to progress, while Shawna Cropas (JP / NeilPryde) and Jessica Crisp (Patrik / Hot Sails Maui) also safely negotiated their way into the next round. In Heat 42 Alice Arutkin (Fanatic / NorthSails) face.teammate Andrés as well as Tatiana Howard (Starboard / NeilPryde) and Cropas for a guaranteed place in the top 10, but once again it was Cropas, who came out on top with her excellent wave selection paying dividends, while Howard secured second place. In what proved to be the final women’s heat of the day, Jessica Crisp and Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins) enjoyed a close battle for the top spot, but in the end Offringa just managed to edge to duel with an excellent first wave inflicting most of the damage and they will now face Cropas and Howard in Heat 44. Men’s The opening men’s heat of the day — Heat 44 featuring Kai Lenny (Naish / Naish Sails / MFC), Camille Juban (Quatro / Simmer / MFC), Robby Swift (JP / NeilPryde) and two-time Aloha Classic Champion Morgan Noireaux (JP / Hot Sails Maui) — was a real heat of death with only the top sailor from four advancing. In the light winds there was still plenty of radical action, but Lenny continued his imperious form from yesterday to successfully set up a tie against Bernd Roediger (Naish / Naish Sails). In the battle for fourth and fifth, Roediger made an impressive start as he opened with a vert snap in the pocket before sliding through smooth taka — which he duly claimed. However, the 20-year-old couldn’t quite find his backup wave and with Lenny continuing his impressive form it was the waterman who advanced. Lenny will now face Levi Siver (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing / MFC) in the battle for third and fourth. The forecast for tomorrow looks as though things could be tricky with the potential of some further wind, but by the mid-afternoon or early evening, the new swell could mean it is too big to compete at Ho’okipa. The skippers’ meeting will once again be held at 10am with a first possible start of 11am (GMT-10). To stay up to date with all the latest developments from Maui — including the live stream, elimination ladders, entry list, images and live ticker simply click HERE and scroll to the bottom of the page.