The PWA Hawaii Pro Presented By Severne Sails, Day 4

March 29th April 5th 2004


Double elimination battle commences in epic Hookipa conditions! The mens double elimination stormed into action here at the PWA Hawaii Pro, presented by Severne sails with more classic mast high down the line conditions the order of the day. Despite light winds that forced race director Duncan Coombes to extend heats to 15 minutes, two whole rounds of the mens double elimination were completed. Todays four man heats were judged on the best two waves with the two riders scoring the highest overall points advancing into the next round. Against the local forecast, trades kicked in today in the region of 10-15 knots making for pure down the line heaven for those that competed. Wall to wall sunshine and epic action brought the crowds out in force to watch the best wave sailors in the world rip it up here at Hookipa.

Winning both of his heats comfortably today Britains Nik Baker, (Mistral, North) made amends for his early exit in the single elimination two days ago but now faces the daunting prospect of meeting ex world wave champion, Jason Polakow (JP, Neil Pryde) in the first heat of the third round. After a year off the tour following an ankle injury, Baker seemed to be returning to his consistent best with his performance improving heat by heat. Polakow advanced through to the third round today after beating John Skye (F2, Arrows) who trashed his sail early in the heat and wasted valuable minutes returning back to the beach for a rig change.

Peter Volwater (Arrows) of Holland is also through to the third round after advancing alongside Klaas Voget (Arrows, Fanatic) of Germany over British sailors Robby Swift (JP, Neil Pryde) and Ross Williams (Gaastra, Starboard). Both Volwater and Voget busted out huge aerials on some of the biggest waves of the day while the Brits were out of synch with the set waves and failed to accumulate the necessary points. Volwater will now face Maui local Jesse Brown in his next heat while Voget will go up against Maui veteran Alex Aguera.

Other sailors making it through to round three today included Canadas Jason Prior (Neil Pryde), Micah Buzianis (Mistral, North), Kai Katchadourian, Sean Ordonez, Vidar Jensen (North) and Takaharu Kamaguchi (JP, Neil Pryde) of Japan. All of these sailors still have a tough road ahead with the likes of Levi Siver (Starboard), Scottie McKercher (Starboard), Josh Stone (JP, Neil Pryde), Diony Guadagnino (Neil Pryde) and Rush Randle (Neil Pryde) waiting for their turn to do battle in the fourth round.

The forecast is now calling for a high surf advisory swell and stronger trades. Josh Angulo and Motoko Sato who both won their respective single elimination rounds here yesterday may well have to go into battle again to defend their positions.

Stay tuned to the PWA website for daily updates, pictures and results as the PWA Hawaii Pro draws to a nail biting climax over the next few days.
MENS SINGLE ELIMINATION RESULTS:

* Josh Angulo
* Keith Teboul
* Kevin Pritchard (Gaastra, Starboard)
* Kauli Seadi (AHD, Naish)

WOMENS SINGLE ELIMINATION RESULTS:

* Motoko Sato
* Jenny Ellefson (Neil Pryde)
* Jennifer Henderson (Starboard)
* Anne Marie Reichmann (Naish)


EVENT SPONSORS

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