Following an intense day of action packed drama here at Hookipa, eight men
and eight women remain in contention in the opening single elimination of
the PWA Hawaii Pro, presented by Severne Sails. With a 10-15 feet wave
faces pounding the north shore of Maui and 10-20 knot squally trades, the
conditions provided the perfect stage for the worlds elite sailors to show
why Hookipa is the most spectacular wave venue on the PWA world tour. In
the men’s competition Rick Steinick, Keith Teboul, Kauli Seadi (Naish,
AHD), Fabrice Beaux, Kevin Pritchard (Gaastra, Starboard), Matt Pritchard
(Gaastra), Francisco Porcella and Josh Angulo were the eight remaining
sailors when competition was finally put on hold this evening due to
diminishing winds. Meanwhile in the women’s single elimination Sato
Motoko, Iballa Moreno (Mistral, North), Jennifer Henderson (Starboard),
Karin Jaggi (F2, Arrows), Ana Benchimot, Anne Marie Reichman (Naish),
Jenny Ellefson and Noriko Hubs advanced through to the quarter finals
leaving both fleets poised for a sensational climax in the opening
eliminations!

Head wave judge Duncan Coombes opted for a two wave, one jump competition
format this morning with additional marks factored by the judges for
overall impression. With cranking winds blasting across Hookipa and up to
mast high sets conditions were ideal for down the line wave riding and
rocket airs. The first major upset of the day was the elimination of
British former Aloha Classic winner Nik Baker (Mistral, North) who went
down in the opening round to Mariano Estivill (F2, Arrows) of Argentina.
Estivill knew he needed to produce something special to take down a sailor
of Nik Bakers caliber and opened up his heat with a sensational double
loop which he then consolidated with two solid waves. Baker struggled to
find the form that has made him a previous winner here in Hawaii and will
now have to fight back in the double elimination if conditions allow.

Ex world champion Jason Polakow (JP, Neil Pryde) was also on disappointing
form today after taking an early exit in the second round at the hands of
Maui local, Rush Randle (Neil Pryde). Randle advanced into the third round
but then fell to young Francisco Porcello who was the dark horse in
today’s fleet having already defeated experienced PWA sailors, Kevin
Ponichtera and Victor Fernandez (Fanatic) in his opening two heats.

Other key confrontations today included the third round battle between
Aussie wave guru Scott Mckercher (Starboard) and ex wave champion Kevin
Pritchard (Gaastra, Starboard). Pritchard opened up the heat with a solid
first wave landing a rail grab aerial, another air and then milking the
white water right in front of the rocks. Mckercher clocked up one solid
wave, cranking a huge aerial but then failed to tune in with the sets and
failed to find another wave to complete his scorecard. Kevin will now face
his brother Matt who advanced into the quarter finals after taking down
Mariano Estivill of Argentina.

Contest favorite Levi Siver (Starboard) also failed to advance past the
third round at the hands of Maui local Rick Steinick. Steinick who was
smacking some of the biggest lips today is now set for a head to head with
Maui wave specialist Keith Teboul in his next heat. Meanwhile, reigning
PWA wave champion Josh Angulo advanced comfortably through his heats today
against Jake Miller, Baptiste Gossien (JP, Neil Pryde) and Diony
Guadagnino (Neil Pryde) and is all set to face Francisco Porcella when
action continues.

In today’s women’s competition the major upset of the day was the
elimination of world champion Daida Moreno (Mistral, North) in her opening
heat against Canadian sailor Noriko Hubbs. Meanwhile her sister Iballa
advanced into the last eight after taking down American sailor Morgan
Fisher. The big line up in the women’s quarter finals looks like the heat
between Maui local Jennifer Henderson (Starboard) and Karin Jaggi (F2,
Arrows) of Switzerland after both sailors posted excellent performances in
their opening heats today.

The forecast is calling for a bigger swell due to hit Mauis north shore
late tomorrow afternoon. With the trades set to blow right through the
weekend it looks like we are all set for a compelling battle for the PWA
Hawaii Pro . Stay tuned to the PWA web site for all the news, pictures and
results brought to you daily here from Hawaii.

EVENT SPONSORS

Severne Sails, Da Kine, The Islands of Aloha, Maui Windsurf Company, Neil
Pryde Maui, Hi Tech, Second wind, 101.1