Morocco PWA World Cup
The swell was forecast to drop slightly from yesterday on day 5 of the 2018 Morocco PWA World Cup, but while the swell may have been slightly smaller, the conditions were still extremely tricky and daunting with light winds and big, heavy closeouts making it a brave decision to venture out.
During the morning a few sailors ventured out but had varying degrees of success. With the tide on the push things seemed to become ever so slightly easier and Marine Hunter’s (KA Sail) perseverance eventually paid off as she made it out back. The 25-year-old had this to say upon returning to the beach: “It was really, really scary, so I spent most of the time just free riding between the sets. I didn’t take any risks and I stayed out the back for a long time with the other guys who were out.
I spent one hour just trying to get out, but eventually, I found a gap between the sets, but once I was out I was just like I’m staying out here! No doubt the biggest conditions I’ve ever sailed in.”
After a long day of waiting the decision was made to try and begin the double elimination with Heat 24, which featured Annamaria Zollet (Hot Sails Maui / AL360), Maaike Huvermann (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins), Caterina Stenta (RRD / RRD Sails / Maui Ultra Fins) and Aurora D’Apolito (Flikka / Severne).
Huvermann, who is the women’s vice-world champion, made a bright start to the heat as she looked to improve with almost every wave and she was a little unlucky to see the heat cancelled when firmly in control of the heat. The 20-year-old quickly earned scores of 6.5 points and 7.62 points after showing excellent wave selection and execution.
Maaike Huvermann (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins): "I had a lot of fun, but it was big and quite scary at times, but it gets your heart pumping. I didn’t actually realise that the heat was cancelled as I was swimming for my gear, but as soon as I got to it I was like ‘ah what’, but it was definitely a lottery in getting out.
Once I lost my gear I had a bit of time to take a couple of breaths before the next wave hit, but I’ve never been washed like that… I wanted to come up for air, but just had this current holding me down.”
Current youth world champion - Nicole Bandini (Fanatic / NorthSails) - showed no fear today as she navigated her way out back almost immediately this afternoon and her bravery was rewarded as the young Italian caught a massive bomb. Meanwhile, Lena Erdil (Starboard / Point-7 / AL360) was another sailor, who was persistent in her efforts to make it out and she too eventually made it out after hours of trying.
A lay day has been called for Friday with virtually zero wind forecast. The skippers’ meeting for Saturday will be confirmed tomorrow and that will be the last chance to finish the double elimination. The current forecast for Saturday has a new long period swell - 3.1-3.4m @ 16 seconds - with light to moderate northeasterly winds.
Current Ranking Morocco PWA World Cup - Women’s Wave
*After Single Elimination - Rankings May Still Change
1st Iballa Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins)
2nd Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins)
3rd Daida Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins)
4th Lina Erpenstein (Severne / Severne Sails)
5th Marine Hunter (KA Sail)
5th Maria Andres (Fanatic / NorthSails)