NoveNove Maui Aloha Classic
Day two of the 2016 NoveNove Maui Aloha Classic saw another lay day for the men’s and women’s fleets, but there was still plenty of action as the AWT Youth’s and Grand Master’s battled it out at Ho’okipa.
Youth’s
Jake Schettewi (JP / Hot Sails Maui) was the standout sailor throughout the day in the youth’s as the 15-year old showed supreme control in the air and excellent late hits on the wave as well as showing great timing and reading. Schettewi deservedly claimed victory ahead of Takuma Sugi (Naish), Ishii Takara and Max Schettewi (JP / Hot Sails Maui).
Harley Stone (Naish) racked up the highest scoring wave of the day in the semifinals, but unfortunately the 17-year old had his chances of qualifying for the final ended after snapping his outhaul upon landing a forward loop.
Earlier in the day we briefly caught up with current men’s world tour leader — Victor Fernandez (Fanatic / NorthSails / MFC / Shamal Sunglasses) and Fiona Wylde (Starboard / Sailworks), who is one of the favourites for the women’s title.
Victor Fernandez looks ahead to the event: “I arrived on Maui on October 27th. I love to be back at this event because I love sailing at Ho’okipa.
I´m really looking forward to competing here with just 4 men on the water. I think the forecast looks great and I have my gear ready to go in these conditions, I just want to have fun and perform as good as I can and take it heat-by-heat rather than purely focusing on the title race.”
PWA: Hey Fiona, you’ve finished second here for the last two year's - pushing Iballa all the way during last year's contest — with Iballa not here this year how are you feeling ahead of this year's comp?
FW: “First off, congratulations to Iballa for winning another world title! The last two years have definitely been intense finals, no doubt! Even though Iballa already clinched the title, I think it would have been cool for her to come sail and share some epic waves together, but regardless of who is and who is not competing, I will just sail the way I sail, having fun along the way. :)”
PWA: People consider you one of the top favourites for the event, does that put you under pressure? Or do you think competing in the SUP events helps you deal with the mental side of competing?
FW: “I feel that it’s an honour to be one of the top favourites! Competing in many Stand Up Paddle events definitely has taught me a ton about handling competitions, and that transfers over to windsurfing. Of course there are butterflies, but like I said before, the only thing I can try to do is sail my best, and if I do that, I will be really happy!”
PWA: Also, have you been able to sail much trying to balance between SUP and windsurfing?
FW: “The majority of my year has been really busy with Stand Up Racing and SUP Freesurf trips, so for me to be on Maui for the Aloha Classic is really special! I’ve been back on Maui about a month now, and the sailing has been incredible! I got to windsurf a bit over the summer in Hood River, which was awesome! But as far as wave sailing goes, I pretty much sail here on Maui whenever I’m not traveling.
Best of luck to all the athletes! Have fun and see you on the water!
Fiona.”
PWA: Thanks and all the best for the comp.
The forecast looks excellent for tomorrow, which should see the start of the men’s and women’s single eliminations. The skippers’ meeting will be held at 10am with the action commencing from 11am (GMT-10) — if conditions allow. Make sure you tune into www.pwaworldtour.com to follow all of the epic action as it happens via the PWA live stream.
To stay up to date with all the latest developments from Maui — including the live stream, elimination ladders, entry list, images and live ticker simply click HERE and scroll to the bottom of the page.
Result NoveNove Maui Aloha Classic — Youth’s
1st Jake Schettewi (JP / Hot Sails Maui)
2nd Takuma Sugi
3rd Ishii Takara
4th Max Schettewi