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Day 3 of the PWA Aloha Classic Wave Championships presented by JP Australia
Maui, Hawaii (USA) – On the third day of competition, hitting the water was the
Grand Masters Division full of sailors who have been sailing Maui and Hookipa
just about since the day that Mike Waltze discovered it as a windsurfing spot.
With names like Fred Haywood, Alex Aguera, Doug Hunt, Buzzy Kerbox, Matt
Schweitzer, Klaus Simmer, Martin Lenny, Rob Funk, Yahoi Hasumi, and Ralf
Sifford, you knew it was going to be a competition not soon forgotten. With
trade winds on the gusty side of 15kts, and a swell running around shoulder to
head high the sailors sliced and diced the waves with top three waves counting
and top two advancing. Due to a few of our own judges competing in this
category, windsurfing legend, Josh Stone stepped up to the plate and assisted
with the judging.
While the competition was serious, the years of camradierie really showed
through. Their combined exerience at this surf spot helped many of them to
pick just the right places to catch the waves. Wave selection was tricky but
those who chose well advanced through. IN the end into the final was Rob Funk,
Alex Aguera, Doug Hunt, and Buzzy Kerbox, whose stellar performances all day
secured them a spot into the final. Taking the division was Alex Aguera
followed by Rob Funk, then Buzzy Kerbox, and Doug Hunt.
Following the Grand Masters Men, the Open Men cotinued progressing through
round three into the semi finals in the man on man format. Top three waves and
top jump of the heat were counted for each sailor. Into the semi final came
Josh Stone, Jesse Brown, Jeff Sutherland, and Graham Ezzy, which Stone and
Jesse advanced into the final, and Sutherland and Ezzy went to the losers
final, which Graham took the 3rd spot and Sutherland the 4th. The mens final
was attempted twice but conditions just werent coming through at the end of the
day and had to be abonded.
This final heat will be run tomorrow along with the MEHENHUNE, JUNIOR MEN and
JUNIOR WOMEN.