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Back to Maui...
 The PWA World Tour and professional
windsurfing has returned 'home' to Maui, the spiritual birthplace of windsurfing, for the
first time in several years. The Swatch Aloha Wave Classic - by O'Neill is the final event
in the 1998 PWA World Tour Calendar and promises to be the grandest of finalés with the
PWA Wave and Overall World Championship titles still to be decided.
Top location...
The event is taking place at Ho'okipa Beach
Park, on Maui's North Shore, the home of the Aloha Classic, one of the longest running
wave contests in competition history. The importance of this event is demonstrated once
more by the quality of the fleet. Almost every one of the top 40 PWA ranked wave sailors
is here bidding for the World Wave crown and that all important 1998 PWA Wave Ranking.
However, joining the usual PWA stars are some true legends of windsurfing, who qualified
for this event through official PWA recognised trials held at Ho'okipa 2 days prior to the
event. US-212 Dave Kalama, US-321 Rush Randle, US-20 Sean Ordonez, US-11 & 18 Josh and
Mark Angulo all made it through the trials long with Josh Stone's younger brother, USA-7
Jason Stone, a rookie to the professional circuit.
The draw...
Twelve sailors came through the Swatch Aloha
Wave Classic trials, none of whom have a PWA seeding and so there was great drama at the
event opening ceremony as the top 12 PWA seeds drew their opponent by 'lot'.
KA-1111 Jason Polakow, the number 1# seed
here and defending world champion drew local Japanese sailor J-45 Hisao Nakazto to join
himself, D-0 Michael Viscovitch and E-7 Marcos Perez in heat 16, the final first round
heat. Current Wave Ranking leader and number 2# seed Nik Baker K-66 drew the winner of the
qualification event HI-11 Paul Bryan and explained that he felt his first heat would be
the most difficult, if he progressed through that, he felt confident that he could go 'all
the way'.
The draw continued with E-11 Bjorn
Dunkerbeck picking US-18 Mark Angulo, A-211 Francisco Goya drawing US-321 Rush Randle and
Germany's Bernd Flessner drawing US-212 Dave Kalama.
Wave contenders...
Last year, KA-1111 Australian Jason Polakow
achieved his eight year mission to win the Wave World Crown in spectacular fashion,
narrowly defeating the legendary US-1111 Robby Naish by the smallest of margins at the
final event of the year.
This year, the situation is similar, with
Polakow ranked second in the world behind England's Nik Baker K-66. However, Baker is
already in trouble here at the Swatch Aloha Wave Classic, suffering a shock first round
defeat at the hands of local Hawaiian HI-11 Paul Bryan and US-12 Scott Carvill.
With Baker hoping for the opportunity to
come back in a double elimination attention has turned to the other top 4 rank sailors.
US-933 Kevin Pritchard who is currently ranked 4th and E-11 Bjorn Dunkerbeck in 3rd, just
5 ranking points ahead. The points gap between 1st/2nd and 3rd/4th means that Dunkerbeck
or Pritchard must finish at least 3 places ahead of Baker and Polakow to overtake and have
a shot at the Wave World Crown. This is a fact that Polakow is aware of, a 3rd position
here, ahead of Baker, would be good enough to retain his World Title.
Women in the waves...
Following the retirement of World Champion
Nathalie LeLievre, Switzerland's Karin Jaggi is currently leading the chase for the vacant
Overall Crown. Jaggi, recently secured the Race Crown and is currently leading the wave
rankings. The threat to Jaggi's title aspirations is likely to come from several areas.
Firstly, the newest, hottest young wave sailors on tour, the Spanish Moreno twins, Iballa
and Daida will be hoping to take their first event win and have a shot at the Wave World
Crown. There will also be strong competition from big-wave specialists, American, Kelly
Moore and Australian, Jane Seman. Both women would like nothing more than the kudos
attached to winning a PWA 'Wave Classic' event, the pinnacle of competitive wave sailing.
However, with a women's fleet of 27 sailors, 15 of whom are complete unknowns, an upset
and shock defeat in the women's fleet is always possible.... will Jaggi, Seman or the
Moreno's suffer a similar fate to Nik Baker ?
Will Dunkerbeck's Reign End ??
Spanish sailor, Bjorn Dunkerbeck, E-11 has
held the PWA Overall World Crown for the past ten years and has already secured the 1998
PWA Race World Championship. Although Bjorn Dunkerbeck has held the Overall Title for the
past ten years, he has failed to win the PWA Wave World Title for the last two years.
As the only title he doesn't currently hold,
Dunkerbeck is desperate to win the Wave Crown and lead every PWA ranking. However,
attention is focused on the consequences of Dunkerbeck's failure, as opposed to his
success.
If the current World Champion finishes lower
than second position in the wave ranking, he will have opened the door for someone to
steal his Overall World Crown. The leading contender to de-throne the king is US-933 Kevin
Pritchard. The young Californian, who very nearly snatched the Race Crown in Sylt back in
September is currently lying fourth in waves and is poised to end one of the longest
running winning streaks in sporting history.
Also within reach of the Overall Crown are
Matt Pritchard, Kevin's brother and Anders Bringdal, the man who has finished 'runner-up'
to Dunkerbeck on countless occasions. Bringdal can sense that pressure from the
Pritchard's may just provide his route to the top.
Competition starts on day 4...
On Day 4, the
first 1/4 final was a contest between US-212 Dave Kalama, S-10 Anders Bringdal, E-11 Bjorn
Dunkerbeck and HI-11 Paul Bryan. Disaster struck for Dunkerbeck as he timed his heat all
wrong, sailing in on regular waves and getting caught inside as the set waves came in.
Dunkerbeck had two of the highest scoring rides of the round but still finished 4th in the
heat behind HI-11 Paul Bryan. Bryan, the man who eliminated England's Nik Baker, the
leader of the 98 wave rankings was unlucky to finish 3rd, after losing a tie-break, in
what was the closest heat of the day.
The second 1/4
final was heavily laden with PWA superstars as US-1111 Robby Naish, KA-1111 Jason Polakow,
US-933 Kevin Pritchard and USA-6 Josh Stone all fought out for first and second position.
Naish, who had ripped all day looked a little out of sorts as he mis-timed his top turn
three times and was hit by a throwing lip three times on in his first three waves, finally
destroying his rig and wasting precious time. It was KA-1111 Jason Polakow, the reigning
World Wave Champ and US-933 Kevin Pritchard who progressed.
The
semi-finals were run in a man-on-man format and once more, an experienced PWA sailor made
the fatal error of poor wave selection as Anders Bringdal caught only three waves was
defeated by US-212 Dave Kalama, who was yet to finish second in a heat this contest.
 The second semi final was
incredible, with conditions at their optimum. Jason Polakow and Kevin Pritchard both
ripping in mast and a half high waves. Both sailors were shredding in the critical section
of the wave, staying right in to the vertical pockect of the wave and using it's power to
launch then into huge aerials off the lip. Kevin Pritchard's first wave was probably the
highest scoring of the day. Pritchard picked the wave up way on the outside and rode for
three bottom turns before bashing the lip for a huge aerial, only to land back on the lip
of the wave and continue to ride down the line until taking a second aerial as the wave
finally closed out. Magnificent !
Despite this
incredible wave ride, it was three consistantly outstanding rides from KA-1111 Jason
Polakow that would see him progress to the final to meet Kalama. Unfortunately, at 17:00
hrs the wind left as quickly as it arrived leaving the winners final and the loser's final
between Anders Bringdal and Kevin Pritchard left to run.
The forecast
is for the swell to remain for the next couple of days but the wind to drop a little.
However, only 40 minutes of conditions are required to finish the single elimination.
Judgement Day...
After three days of high swells but
unfavourable winds, the crowds on Ho'okipa Beach got their wish for a final play-off
between local sailor Dave Kalama, from Maui and reigning World Wave Champion, Australian
Jason Polakow.
The Head Wave Judge, Karim Goujon,
held off his decision to sail for three hours, hoping for the onshore winds to move
slightly side-shore. After three days of waiting, with wind conditions just short of
favourable, everyone was restlessly expectant until suddenly taken by surprise when the
two finalists were invited to warm up.
Polakow began his heat extremely well,
with excellent wave choice, leaving Maui's Dave Kalama offshore, waiting. Jason's style
showed nothing of the nine stitch injury sustained to his head on Tuesday. Before Kalama
had found a wave, Polakow had already been to the beach and back three times, working
every wave superbly, squeezing out every conceivable turn.
Then Kalama made his move, finding a
big wave and showing fierce style with a great aerial thrown in. But disaster struck
however, as Kalama hit the lip and was rolled by the wave, breaking his rig and being
forced to rely on the rig sailed out belonging to a much lighter sailor. Kalama never
recovered from that, and the Wave Judges gave a unanimous decision in favour of Jason
Polakow, confirming him as event victor, and World Wave Champion thereby.
The Losers' Final play-off for third
and fourth place was fought between Kevin Pritchard, from Sun City, California, US-933 and
Sweden's Anders Bringdal, S-10. Both sailors worked the waves well, but Pritchard had
maintained his form from earlier on in the competition and took the Judges' vote by 6 - 1.
Women's action incomplete
Although several round of women's
sailing were held, the Swatch Aloha Wave Classic fell just short of providing a valid
result for the women.
The lack of a result proved a lucky
escape for Switzerland's Karin Jaggi Z-14 and Spain's Diada Ruano Moreno E-64. Jaggi was
eliminated in the first round by 4 rookie PWA sailors; US-7 Jennifer Hendison, US-36
Cecily Kitts, US-129 Jenny Ellefson and KC-80 Jocelyn Hrkach a huge upset ! Daida Moreno
had progressed successfully through the first round only to be eliminated by three
Hawaiian sailors and current world number 3# Kelly Moore.
Conditions failed just 3 heats short
of a valid result for the Women with the PWA's Kelly Moore US-6 in a strong position to
snatch the PWA Wave crown from Jaggi. However, even with an extra day, time ran out for
the women and the PWA Wave ranking remains unchanged.
However, the talent that was
discovered here at the Swatch Aloha Wave Classic may well have a very positive effect on
the PWA Women's wave tour for '99.
The defending champion prevails....
The win here in Maui saw KA-1111 Jason
Polakow retain his PWA Wave World Title. Two Grand Prix wins, here and in Brazil, secured
Polakow's Championship title for a second year ahead of US-933 Kevin Pritchard and E-11
Bjorn Dunkerbeck
The shock first round defeat of K-66 Nik
Baker by Hawaiian Paul Bryan HI-11 saw the leader of the wave rankings prior to the tour
final drop from 1st to 9th in the PWA Wave Rankings.
Dunkerbeck keeps the Overall
Several results conspired to prevent US-933
Kevin Pritchard from breaking Bjorn Dunkerbeck's 11 year stranglehold on the PWA Overall
World Championship title. Pritchard desperately needed 1 sailor to finish between himself
and Dunkerbeck in the Wave Ranking in order to move ahead in the Overall rankings. The
early defeat of Nik Baker, Robby Naish's failure to reach the final 4 and Kevin
Pritchard's own near miss with a top 2 event finish all conspired against the Californian
who has been so near and so far from unseating the World Champion all year.
The Overall Podium was a family affair
as US-93 Matt Pritchard finished in 3rd position with S-10 Anders Bringdal relegated out
of the top 3 for the first time in PWA history.
Women's results
Karin Jaggi as filled the retired
Nathalie LeLievre's shoes in style by taking a clean sweep in the PWA championships
finishing first in both the Race, Wave and Overall World Rankings. Germany's G-680 Jutta
Mueller finished runner-up in the PWA Overall Ranking ahead of H-444 Lucienne Ernst from
Holland.
THE SWATCH ALOHA WAVE CLASSIC - BY O'NEILL
Final Wave Results after 1 Elimination
1 POLAKOW, Jason KA-1111 Neil Pryde, JP Aus., Oxbow, Red Bull
2 KALAMA, Dave US-212 Quiksilver,
3 PRITCHARD, Kevin US-933 NeilPryde,Bic,Oakley, O'Neill,Tectonics
4 BRINGDAL, Anders S-10 Simmer,RRD,Liberty, Fiberspar,Perf. Fins
5 NAISH, Robby US-1111 Naish Sails,Mistral, Quiksilver,Robinson
5 BRYAN, Paul HI-11 Simmer Sails,C B,
7 DUNKERBECK, Bjoern E-11 Neil Pryde, F2, Red Bull,VW,Rip Curl
7 STONE, Josh USA-6 Neil Pryde, F2, Jet Set, Oakley
9 JENSEN, Vidar N-44 North Sails, Drops, Team O'Neill
9 SEEGER, Robby G-307 Simmer Style,RRD,, Pro-Limit
9 BUZIANIS, Micah US-34 North,Drops,Nifty, Tectonics,Pro-Limit
9 PEDERSEN, Mark KA-6 North,Drops,RipCurl, Gorrila Grip,Da Kine
13 THIEME, Erik F-808 Neil Pryde,Drops,M&S, Rip Curl,Tocco
13 MCGAIN, Phil KA-7 Neil Pryde, Bare, Tectonic Fins
13 AIKEN, Sean USA-62 Goodwill, w/s Hawaii, No Limitz
13 TEBOUL, Keith US-60 Matador,
17 PRITCHARD, Matt US-93 NeilPryde,AHD,Oakley, O'Neill,Tectonics
17 VOLWATER, Peter H-24 Arrows,F2,Quiksilver, NorthShore Fins,Reef
17 LAUFER, Andy G-93 Gaastra, AHD, Chiemsee, Red Bull
17 IRELAND, Sam KC-1 Gaastra,Nifty, Fiberspar,Techtonics
17 AGUERA, Alex US-151 Drops, Dynafiber
17 RANDLE, Rush US-321 ART, Fanatic, Matador, Jet Pilot
17 ANGULO, Josh US-11 RRD,Billabong suits,
17 ORDONEZ, Sean US-20 North Sails,
25 FENTON, Scott KZ-1 Neil Pryde,ACE,DSL55, CoronaExtra,Maui Fin
25 BAKER, Antony K-77 Arrows, F2, O'Neill,N.Shore Fins
25 GOYA, Francisco A-211 Naish Sails, O'Neill,
25 OPSAL, Frithjof N-4 Simmer, Waterproof, Westwind
25 CARVILL, Scott US-12 Naish Sails, Mistral, The Wave, EMU Bitter
25 TROOSTHEIDE, Erik H-90 Gaastra, Mistral, Rusty,MauiMagic,Reef
25 NAKAZATO, Hisao J-45 ART, Fanatic, Fresh Jive, Wipe Out
25 STONE, Jason USA-7 Neil Pryde, Oakley,
33 BAKER, Nicholas K-66 Gaastra,Mistral, TOYOTA, Fiberspar
33 MCKERCHER, Scott KA-181 Naish, Animal,
33 TERIITEHAU, Robert F-2000 North Sails, Bic, Quiksilver, Waiti
33 BELBEOC'H, Patrice F-81 Neil Pryd, Oxbow, Crozon
33 CALICO, Luis P-62 Neil Pryde, Drops, No Fear, Red Bull
33 SCHURMANN, Wilhelm BRA-999 Gaastra, Milleto, RAIA 1
33 BELBEOC'H, Thierry F-39 Naish Sails, AHD, Quiksilver, Fin's
33 VISCOVITCH, Michael D-0 Naish Sails, Tekknosport
33 CALTHROP, Chris K-48 Naish, Mistral, Oakley, W/S Hawaii
33 PARRES, Daniel E-501 F2, Panama Jack, Red Bull
33 HUART, Xavier F-33 North Sails, Mistral, Oxbow
33 MADAR, Olivier F-6 Quiksilver,Paia,Tao, SupDeCo. Montpellier
33 FOSTER, Richard K-0101 Naish Sails, Mistral, Quiksilver, Mantra
33 WOLFF, Andy G-9
33 WYMAN, Chris US-003 Naish, Mistral, Oakley
33 ANGULO, Mark US-18 Quiksilver,
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ALOHA WAVE CLASSIC 98