STARBOARD SEVERNE PWA ALOHA CLASSIC

Day 8: Thomas Traversa writes his name into windsurfing history, as Morgan Noireaux and Iballa Moreno claim Aloha Classic Crowns

Day eight of the Starboard Severne PWA Aloha Classic saw the exciting conclusion of the 2014 PWA Wave World Tour, as Ho’okipa delivered fantastic conditions again. With more west in the swell today, the set waves were reeling, this combined with the slightly more cross offshore wind made for challenging, but great riding. Newly crowned world champion - Iballa Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) - successfully defended her single elimination crown, to end the year in the best way possible as she claimed the Aloha Classic title again - just as she did in 2006. Meanwhile, Morgan Noireaux (JP / Hot Sails Maui), claimed his first victory on the PWA World Tour to be crowned the king of Ho’okipa. But the biggest news of the day, is without doubt - Thomas Traversa (Tabou / GA Sails) - who collected his maiden world title, capping an absolutely brilliant day, and year, for the Frenchman.

Men’s 

Double Elimination

The first men’s heat of the day was one of the biggest heats of the year, as Victor Fernandez (Fanatic / North / MFC) took on Marcilio ‘Brawzinho’ Browne (Goya Windsurfing / MFC). The Spaniard needed to win heat thirty-one in order to keep his title hopes alive, whilst Browne was fighting for the final place on the prestigious podium - with the Brazilian needing second place or better to achieve just that. 

Coming into today’s battle, Fernandez held the upper hand with six wins to Browne’s one in the last seven years. However, Browne’s only victory came during last year’s Aloha Classic, which proved crucial again, as the Brazilian was able to defeat his Spanish rival at Ho’okipa for the second time, which meant - Thomas Traversa - was officially crowned the champion of the world, for the first time in his life, without sailing a heat today. 

The End to an Incredible Year

2014 has proven to be an incredible year for - Thomas Traversa. At the start of the year the Frenchman dominated in the Red Bull Storm Chase, as he came into his own in the gnarly conditions, before going on to win the jump category of the indoor contest in Poland. However, today was the icing on the cake as TT was crowned world champion in the spiritual home of wave sailing, after a polished display in Ho’okipa, as he demonstrated more fluid wave riding, combined with aerials and goiters to defeat - Marcilio Browne - on his victory parade. Traversa was sailing with an injury, but you wouldn’t have known it given his performance on the water.

Thomas Traversa on capturing his first PWA Wave World Title: “Wow! I can't believe I am wave world champion!!! If I am then Sophia Regerbis is the real world champion, together with my parents, my shaper, and all my friends who sailed at home or did trips and competitions with me!” 

“I am who I am, and where I am, because of you!” 

“And now I have a good story to tell our future baby!”

Winners’ Final

Having defeated - Marcilio Browne - Thomas Traversa lined up against Morgan Noireaux in the winner’s final, hoping to force a super final in the fight for the coveted Aloha Classic title. TT made a strong start to the final and led for the opening nine minutes - after linking three vert turns, before tagging a goiter on the end section. However, after this - Noireaux - found his groove, much to the joy of his home crowd, who were extremely vocal on the beach, as their home hero unleashed, a now, trademark gouging first turn before rotating through a radical taka, which earned him 8.48 points. Traversa, tried to fight back with a huge goiter, but couldn’t quite hold it upon landing. Whilst, Noireaux, then hammered the nails into the coffin on his final wave as he tweaked a sick aerial, before backing it up with another hell turn to defend his single elimination crown.

Women’s 

Winners’ Final 

Iballa Moreno took on Fiona Wylde (Goya Windsurfing) once more in the women’s final and Wylde continued to show excellent wave selection and composure beyond her years, but for much of the final looked slightly overpowered on the wave face. However, the seventeen year old was still able to land a sick, late aerial combined with a vert hit, but Iballa had too much in the tank in the end, on this occasion at least. The newly crowned world champion recovered from a broken mast, to link four solid turns on one wave before finishing the final with her best effort as she landed an aerial, before backing it up with a stylish turn to successfully defend her single elimination crown. 

Meanwhile, Tiffany Ward (Starboard / Ezzy) protected her third place to claim the final place on the podium, meaning Junko Nagoshi (Goya Windsurfing) had to settle for an excellent fourth place finish. 

A huge congratulations to Morgan Noireaux, for his maiden victory, and to Iballa Moreno, who claims another world title alongside her brilliant victory at the Starboard Severne PWA Aloha Classic. And of course to - Thomas Traversa - who claims his maiden world title after an inspired year, not only on the PWA World Tour, but also on the Red Bull Storm Chase.

Results Starboard Severne PWA Aloha Classic - Men's

1st Morgan Noireaux (JP / Hot Sails Maui)

2nd Thomas Traversa (Tabou / GA Sails)

3rd Marcilio Browne (Goya Windsurfing / MFC)

4th Victor Fernandez (Fanatic / North / MFC)

Results Starboard Severne PWA Aloha Classic - Women's

1st Iballa Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins)

2nd Fiona Wylde (Goya Windsurfing)

3rd Tiffany Ward (Starboard / Ezzy)

4th Junko Nagoshi (Goya Windsurfing)

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