NoveNove Maui Aloha Classic

Day 5 of the NoveNove Maui Aloha Classic saw Ho’okipa deliver the goods again, although the women’s fleet were made to wait a little while today as the trade winds took a little longer to build. Over the course of the late morning and early afternoon the wind fluctuated with the overhead cloud, which led to the women’s final being completed in tricky conditions.

Due to the difficult nature of the conditions head judge Duncan Coombs opted to extend the women’s final to 30 minutes in order to give each of the four girls involved — Iballa Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins), Sarah Hauser (Tabou / Simmer), Ingrid Larouche (Fanatic / North) and Vickey Abbot — a fair chance of showing exactly what they are capable of.

Women’s

Single Elimination

Winners’ Final

The Women’s Winners’ Final was completed at the third time of asking — after one cancellation yesterday and today — and there was no denying the reigning champion Iballa Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins), who made the most of the tricky conditions, by showing patience to wait for the best waves before combining several well timed turns with an aerial to be crowned the winner of the single elimination. Victory in the single means Iballa is now on the verge of claiming a famous hat-trick of prestigious Aloha Classics -- having won here in 2006 and in 2014. Meanwhile, Ingrid Larouche (Fanatic / North) sailed through the pain barrier having injured her foot the day before to secure an excellent second place. ahead of Sarah Hauser (Tabou / Simmer) — who completes the podium after achieving her best result ever — and VIckey Abbot in fourth place.

Iballa Moreno reacts to winning the single elimination: “I’m honestly not looking into the world title points at all. I’m more focused on winning the event here, which I think this is one of my favourite events — This is my favourite tack particularly for wave riding and I really enjoy sailing here. I’m only focusing on doing well here and whatever with the title race happens. Of course if it goes in my favour I would be happy, but Daida still has a very good chance and I’d also be really happy for her if she gets it [the world title]. Last year was my year, maybe this year is her year, who knows? It’s all in her hands and I hope she can comeback through the double.”

As things currently stand Iballa leads the title race, but things are still in Daida’s hands. If Daida is able to fight her way back from 7th into 3rd place then Iballa will be powerless to stop her sister from regaining her world title. Make sure you stay tuned to www.pwaworldtour.com to see which one of the legendary twins come out on top in this year’s battle for the title.

The forecast for tomorrow sees the swell drop further, so a lay day has been called for all fleets. The forecast predicts a new long period, together with wind, for the end of the week, so an announcement will be made at 7pm each evening with the latest call as we monitor the forecast. 

Result NoveNove Maui Aloha Classic — Women’s Single Elimination

1st Iballa Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins)
2nd Ingrid Larouche (Fanatic / North)
3rd Sarah Hauser (Tabou / Simmer)
4th Vickey Abbot
5th Anne-Marie Reichman (Starboard / Hot Sails Maui)
5th Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins)
7th Daida Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins)
7th Shawna Cropas (JP / NeilPryde)