The forecast for Saturday had been poor, and with Riders enjoying good food, music, and discussed the day’s action over a few beers on Friday night. Despite a building breeze it was decided to call a lay day, and release all fleets at 11am.
With a similar for Sunday, it looks like we are unlikely to see a return to action until at least Monday. Mast high surf, and solid winds are expected to hit Maui’s north shore in preparation for the ‘Clash of the Titans,’ as the best from the AWT go head to head with the best from the PWA. Be sure to have your computer tuned into the LIVE cast ,and with first round matchups like Kauli Seadi vs. Kevin Pritchard, Bernd Roediger vs. Francisco Goya and Robby Naish vs. Flo Jung the action is going to be intense right from the start, and it will be interesting to see how much local knowledge will play a part when and if the big sets roll in.
The boys from Maui Nerd Productions bring us a sweet video of the JP Aloha Classic Pro men division that took place on the first two days of the contest window.
The day started early with the opening ceremony at 9am which streamed LIVE across windsurfing sites, and was provided by the PWA and AWT. The thought provoking Hawaiian blessing asked for wind and waves and almost immediately the breeze started to build ruffling the head high surf. It was amazing to have riders from all over the world come together during this spiritual moment at the home of windsurfing.
The beach was full of World Champions. Jason Polakow was unable to compete this year, Robby Naish is.
With the competition now officially open Head Judge Duncan Coombs decided to run straight into the AWT Pro fleet with the first 16 heats of Round #1 while keeping the option to run all fleets later. It was not long before it was clear that the combination of fun conditions and motivated riders was delivering excellent competition. It was decided that we would continue with Round 2 and heats 17 through 24 before moving into the Women’s heats.
Read More at http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=d1a4e4eef8cd7953c762687fc&id=0bc644fa9e
KP finds a sweet section!
Graham ezzy displayed some serious stoke and skill on the water
Sam Bittner getting ready for her heat.
Camille Juban displaying his fluid style
Men’s bracket after day 1
Women’s bracket after day 1
JP-AUSTRALIA presents the Aloha Classic 2013!
n 2006 JP Australia sponsored the Aloha Classic for the first time. Back then Josh Angulo won the event ahead of Jason Polakow and Kevin Pritchard.
After not having a PWA event on Maui since then, JP finally decided that it is time to step up and become again the title sponsor of the Aloha Classic and bring the best wave sailors back to Maui for a PWA competition.
JP is very proud to be able to help to make this finally happening and looks forward to see the best and most radical wave riders on this planet to perform in the prestigious Aloha Classic.
The contest is currently running so stay tuned!
Naish to challenge for the title one more time at the JP Aloha Classic
Press Release from the AWT
The stage is now set for what promises to be one of the biggest clashes of windsurfing talent in living memory. Robby Naish, probably the biggest name in the history of windsurfing, has confirmed his participation in the upcoming JP Aloha Classic that begins on Thursday 24th October, at Ho’okipa Beach Park, Maui, Hawaii.
For the first time since 2000, Naish will compete on the PWA World Tour. Taking the third “Champions” wildcard alongside Kevin Pritchard and Josh Angulo, directly into the main PWA event, Naish will complete a competition line-up that spans over three generations. Some of the newest and most innovative talent in the sport will go head to head with the very pioneers that paved the way for modern day windsurfing to become the explosive, dynamic and action packed sport that it has evolved into.
In the challenging, historic surf of Ho’okipa, the experience and mastery of the ocean, held firm by the old guard, will offer a perfect contrast to the unorthodox and radical departures of the goiter generation. A true test of “bread and butter” top to bottom wave riding versus aerial trickery will ensue, as all riders leave caution on the beach and go all in to try and claim their seat at the elusive Ho’okipa winners table.
Naish was keen to point out that his contention for the Aloha Classic title was not something to be taken too lightly. At 50 years of age, he is in some of the best shape of his life and his sheer presence will be enough to deter all but the steeliest opponents.
Robby Naish
“Before anyone gets too excited, this is not the start of a comeback, it is simply an opportunity to challenge myself a little bit and have some fun in the competition arena again – and there is no finer arena than Ho’okipa for the Aloha. Its been 7 years since the last pro tour event at Ho’okipa and 7 years since the last Aloha Classic and there is no more prestigious event title in the sport. I am not setting out to prove anything, just simply to rise to the challenge before me and mainly have fun in my own backyard along with some of the finest windsurf talent out there”
The 2013 JP Aloha Classic will bring together the American Windsurfing Tour and the PWA World Tour to create one of the biggest wave sailing events of all time. But don’t worry if you can’t make it to Maui for the event itself, the pro divisions will be broadcast live via the internet and will be available to watch on demand afterwards so don’t miss out.
For further information and for all the action as it happens, tune into www.pwaworldtour.com and www.americanwindsurfingtour.com from the 24th October to see the likes of Koster, Fernandez, Browne, Stone, Angulo, Pritchard, Roediger, Juban, Siver, Mussolini and of course, Robby Naish together in full blown competition action for the first and possibly last time ever!
The AWT is proud to announce the confirmation of the PWAs involvement in the 2013 JP Aloha Classic. For the first time in 7 years, the PWA World Tour will be back on Maui to put the world’s best windsurfers against some of the world’s best conditions. Taking off where it left off in 2006, the Aloha Classic will once again be supported by JP Australia, highlighting the unbreakable bond between the JP name and the world famous surf of Ho’okipa Beach Park.
Top Pros ranking from the AWT brackets will advance as wildcards to the PWA brackets. We are happy to also welcome Duncan Coombs as confirmed Head Judge for the 2013 JP Aloha Classic.
The contest window for the Aloha Classic is October 24th-November 6th. Permits allow us to run 11 of the 14 days. We will hold our awards party on Saturday, November 2nd. All completed divisions up to that point will be awarded then. Any final awards will be presented at the beach Sunday the 3rd through Wednesday the 6th of November, condition dependent.
The AWT and PWA will soon be bringing us the JP Aloha Classic Presented by Kuau Store. Read the press release and details from the AWT below, 92 competitors are already registered.
The AWT is happy to welcome the PWA to Maui for the JP Aloha Classic at Ho’okipa October 24th-November 6th. AWT divisions will run as usual. Top 2 AWT ranked riders automatically advance to the PWA bracket as well as top 6 ranked riders from the AWT Pro division at Ho’okipa.
We have a great crew lined up to run the event including PWA Head Judge Duncan Coombs. The judges panel will consist of many local knowledgeable and trained judges such as Pascal Hardy, Chris Freeman, Alex Bitoun, Michael Archer, Griffin Freysinger and Neil Turpin.
Kai Katchadourian will once again be entertaining the world commentating for the live cast. He joined by several guests throughout the contest.
Local comedian Chris Seeley will be joined by Pietro Porchella announcing on the beach for spectators at Ho’okipa. Porchella has been present at all wave contests on Maui since the Maui Grand Prix in 1981. He has worked all 21 previous editions of the Aloha Classic. We are looking forward to his knowledge on the beach.
Our fearless Beach Marshal Dane Dingerson will be at the beach the entire contest keeping all competitors in check for their heats.
Red Bull is the official sponsor of water safety and rescue which will be led by DK Walsh.
Maui Nerd Productions led by Kevin Pritchard will be producing quality short video clips of the action throughout the contest.
Professional Photographer Si Crowther is the official photographer for the entire event.
And for all of you who can not attend the event, Stephan Boeker from Live Maui Webcasts will be producing a live cast for the world to watch all AWT Pro, and PWA heats from home. Tune in on the action at AmericanWindsurfingTour.com and post your comments on twitter and facebook to stay in the loop.
We have a great list of 92 AWT riders registered as of today. If you have not registered yet, please do so at AmericanWindsurfingTour.com. Encourage your friends to sign up as well!
Contest Window: October 24th-November 6th
8pm: Notice for next day’s possibility of running contest based on forecast
9am: Skippers meeting at lifeguard tower with a first possible start of 10am
11am: Final call if contest will run for the day
