KIA Cold Hawaii PWA World Cup

Event Summary: Cold Hawaii delivers for 6th consecutive year with some of the best conditions yet

Cold Hawaii once again lived up to its name to further enhance Klitmøller’s reputation as one of Europe’s premier wave sailing destinations as the now legendary KIA Cold Hawaii PWA World Cup maintained its 100% record with some of the best conditions seen yet.

The sailors patience was tested over the opening few days of the contest, but their patience was rewarded on day five with strong winds and epic waves pounding the Cold Hawaii coast for the entire day — allowing both the single and double elimination to be completed in fantastic conditions.

Philip Köster (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) earned the prestigious title of being crowned the Cold Hawaii King for 2015 as the two-time world champion remained unbeaten during this years event. The twenty-one year old beat Marcilio Browne (Goya Windsurfing / MFC) in the single elimination, before bringing an on fire Victor Fernandez’s (Fanatic / North / MFC) march back through the double to an end in a closely fought finale. On his way to victory Köster notched up a perfect 10 point wave as well as landing numerous trademark, bolt upright, double forwards. This was Köster’s second victory in Cold Hawaii — having won here in 2011 — and his latest success sees him move to the top of the overall rankings, although still level on points with Fernandez, such is the closeness of this year’s title race — so far.

Victor Fernandez was the only other man to post a perfect 10 wave score, but he couldn’t quite force the double elimination into a super final despite his best efforts. The Spaniard posted the highest scoring heat of the contest versus Jaeger Stone (Starboard / Severne) — 28.5 points — before also defeating Marcilio Browne to maintain his 100% record of appearing in every final this year. Fernandez takes home second place in Denmark, which leaves the 2010 world champion equal on points with Philip Köster after three events. 

The opening two events of the season hadn’t quite gone to plan for Marcilio Browne, but the Brazilian recaptured his best form in Denmark to earn a return to the prestigious podium, which sees Browne rise to seventh in the overall rankings. The 2013 Cold Hawaii Champion then capped the week off in perfect fashion by winning the Super Session with a textbook double forward.

Jaeger Stone cemented his place in the overall top three by claiming fourth after another superb display. The Aussie ripper consistently racked up waves in the excellent as he showed off more of his trademark fluid wave riding, as well as landing massive one-footed backloops, to dispatch of his opponents, before running into an unstoppable Victor Fernandez in Heat 33.

Cold Hawaii is like home for Klaas Voget (Fanatic / Simmer / MFC) and the German used his years of local knowledge to stage a stunning comeback through the double elimination to win five heats on the bounce. Adam Lewis (Fanatic / North) was Voget’s firs victim followed by John Skye (RRD / RRD / MFC), Alex Mussolini (RRD / RRD), Ricardo Campello (Patrik / Point-7 / MFC) and finally Kenneth Danielsen (Simmer), which saw Voget deservedly earn his best result of the season — fifth — as well as return to the overall top ten.

Local Dane — Kenneth Danielsen — was another sailor to produce a brilliant comeback through the double elimination, much to the delight of the local crowd, as he too won five consecutive heats. Danielsen’s comeback began in the first round where he defeated Marc Paré (99NoveNove / Simmer / Maui Ultra Fins) before also going on to beat Alessio Stillrich (Fanatic / North), Graham Ezzy (Tabou / Ezzy), Moritz Mauch (Starboard / Severne / MFC) and Jules Denel (JP / NeilPryde), before the battle for fifth and sixth between himself and Voget proved a step too far. Danielsen will be delighted with his performance though as this result equals his best result ever — sixth here in 2011.

Jules Denel is another sailor to produce their best effort this season in Denmark as the Frenchman finished in joint seventh place — alongside Ricardo Campello (Patrik / Point-7 / MFC). 

Thomas Traversa (Tabou / GA Sails) came into the event as the defending champion, as well as being the only man to have won twice here at the time, but suffered a shock second round exit in the single elimination at the hands of Moritz Mauch. Traversa started to make his comeback through the double before Ricardo Campello ended his hopes meaning TT had to settle for joint ninth — alongside Mauch — who finishes in the top ten for this first time this year — Robby Swift (JP / NeilPryde / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins / SWOX) and Alex Mussolini. 

Cold Hawaii continues to provide world class conditions, allowing the world’s most radical sailors to produce world class action and the PWA would like to once again extend their thanks to the organisers and the locals for their hospitality. We are already looking forward to returning next year.

Where’s Next on the PWA World Tour?

In just a few days time the biggest event of the year kicks off in Germany with the 2015 Sylt Davidoff Sylt Grand Slam, which will see all three disciplines raring to go between the 25th September until the 4th October. Make sure you tune into www.pwaworldtour.com to stay up to date with all of the latest news via the PWA live stream and live ticker. 

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