KIA COLD HAWAII PWA WORLD CUP
The official competition of the 2014 KIA Cold Hawaii PWA World Cup ran right down to the wire as competitors endured a nail biting wait on the last day, which eventually saw the final of the single elimination completed in almost complete darkness, such was the race against time to gain a result for the fifth successive year. Even with the unfavourable forecast Cold Hawaii further reinstated its reputation as one of Europe’s gems of windsurfing, after allowing the sailors to still enjoy the North Sea waves on most days, even if no official competition could be run, highlighting the potential which Cold Hawaii holds.
Single Elimination
Thomas Traversa (Tabou / GA Sails) became the first man in the history of the event to win two Cold Hawaii titles. The Frenchman claimed his first ever victory on the PWA Wave World Tour here in 2012 and showcased his world class sailing again to rise to the top of the prestigious podium. Cold Hawaii is now Traversa’s stomping ground and success here sees TT rise to third in the overall world rankings, very much still in the title race.
The true King of Cold Hawaii, Thomas Traversa:"I'm super happy, before the final I wasn't super keen to sail because I'd had no rest, but now I'm here I'm so happy. Thanks for everyone who made the event happen again, I know how hard people had to work to make it happen. Thanks to the sponsors and I really hope to be back next year. Hopefully next year we get a little bit more luck with the conditions and we can run a double elimination. But thanks again, I'm super happy."
Victor Fernandez (Fanatic / North / MFC) continued his rich vein of form in Cold Hawaii to sail himself all the way to the final. However, victory proved one step too far on this occasion, not that the Spaniard will be too disappointed as second place cements Fernandez’s place at the top of the overall world rankings, as he goes in search of his first world title since 2010.
With no time, or light, left to finish the battle for third and fourth, teammates Leon Jamaer (JP / NeilPryde) and Robby Swift (JP / NeilPryde / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins / SWOX) both share the honour of claiming the final place on the heralded podium. Incidentally this was both the German’s and the Brit’s first ever podium finishes on the PWA Wave World Tour, so Cold Hawaii will hold a special place in their memories for a very long time.
Sharing joint fifth come the end of the single elimination are - two-time world champion Philip Köster (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins), who landed the only double forward of the contest, Ricardo Campello (Patrik / Point-7 / MFC), who pushed Victor Fernandez all the way in the fight for the top four, reigning world champion - Marcilio ‘Brawzinho’ Browne (Goya Windsurfing / MFC) - and Alex Mussolini (Tabou / GA Sails) with the Spaniard achieving his best result so far this year as he breaks back into the top five.
The top ten was completed by Klaas Voget (Fanatic / Simmer / MFC) - who narrowly missed out to fellow countryman Leon Jamaer in heat 10a - as well as Britain’s John Skye (RRD / RRD / MFC), Adam Lewis (Fanatic / North / SWOX) and Ben Proffitt (Simmer), with the latter pushing Marcilio Browne all the way for a place in the top five. Also sharing joint ninth were France’s Antoine Martin (JP / NeilPryde), who was unlucky to suffer a broken mast in heat 10b, which left the twenty year old severely underpowered for the remainder of the heat, Germany’s Moritz Mauch (Starboard / Severne / MFC) and Flo Jung (RRD / Gun Sails / Maui Ultra Fins / SWOX) and finally American Graham Ezzy (Quatro / Ezzy).
Earlier in the week Marcilio ‘Brawzinho’ Browne was able to win the super session as he showed a fantastic array of jumping. The best of the bunch came in the final as he somehow managed to rotate through a double forward, despite the marginal and shifty winds. The top three was completed by Thomas Traversa and Flo Jung.
Overall the event was a massive success again with Cold Hawaii showing glimpses of the huge range of conditions it can, and so often does, produce, whilst also maintaining its perfect competition record. However, it’s not just the brilliant conditions that make Cold Hawaii the gem that it is, it’s also the beautiful scenery and the local people, which make Klitmoeller the place it is and a must visit for any wavesailor.
Where’s Next on the PWA World Tour?
In just a few days time the world’s best sailors will be returning to action across three different disciplines - wave, freestyle and slalom, as the Davidoff Cool Water Sylt PWA Super Grand Slam prepares to kick off on the 26th September, running until the 5th October. Make sure you join us again at www.pwaworldtour.com for what promises to be another fantastic event.
Overall Results - 2014 KIA Cold Hawaii PWA World Cup
1st Thomas Traversa (Tabou / GA Sails)
2nd Victor Fernandez (Fanatic / North / MFC)
3rd Robby Swift (JP / NeilPryde / Mystic / Maui Ulta Fins / SWOX)
3rd Leon Jamaer (JP / NeilPryde)
5th Alex Mussolini (Tabou / GA Sails)
5th Ricardo Campello (Patrik / Point-7 / MFC)
5th Philip Köster (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins)
5th Marcilio ‘Brawzinho’ Browne (Goya Windsurfing / MFC)
9th Antoine Martin (JP / NeilPryde)
9th John Skye (RRD / RRD / MFC)
9th Adam Lewis (Fanatic / North / SWOX)
9th Ben Proffitt (Simmer)
9th Flo Jung (RRD / Gun Sails / Maui Ultra Fins / SWOX)
9th Graham Ezzy (Quatro / Ezzy)
9th Klaas Voget (Fanatic / Simmer / MFC)
9th Moritz Mauch (Starboard / Severne / MFC)