Boujmaa Guilloul wins the AWT Pro Aloha Classic 2014

Boujmaa Guilloul wins the AWT Pro Starboard Severne Aloha Classic, whilst Kevin Pritchard takes second and the overall AWT Pro title for 2014.

I was pretty stressed at the beginning of the day, but I tried not to take any risks and just sail as classy as possible, not pushing any limits. I think this paid off. It was tricky conditions, quite sideonshore and the waves didn’t have much of a lip so it was hard to find the perfect wave. Through the day I relaxed and little and I just sailed with no stress. I was really surprised about where I got to; I couldn’t believe it. By the time I made it to the final I didn’t care, as I knew the worst I could get was second, so I just sailed and had fun. Apparently I sailed better than KP who was absolutely ripping, which I just couldn’t believe.” (Boujmaa Guilloul after winning the AWT Pro 2014)

JOSH STONE

“Us local guys love these kind of conditions, when it gets big; especially us older local guys! It really evens the playing field, at other times the younger guys can bust out all their moves but here today it was all about just pure vertical, hard-hitting waveriding, so I think it really was lucky for us guys. It was a spectacular day and I’m really just blown away to be on the podium, it’s crazy and I’m so stoked! I did the event last year and I got smoked in the third round! So it was a nice little comeback for me, it’s probably been eight years since I’ve been on a podium for windsurfing. I really just had fun and that’s what the AWT’s all about, just having fun. Nobody’s out there fighting for a million dollar contract, everyone’s just out having a blast. It would be nice to get into the PWA next… I’m not sure if I’m in yet, we’ll have to wait and see, I think I’m qualified to qualify! The county of Maui has done a phenomenal job really stepping up to the plate for the event and it is huge deal for us to have the Starboard Severne Aloha Classic right here on the north shore of Maui.”

JASON POLAKOW

“Amazing waves all day today! I think I might have peaked too early though, I had a really tough heat with Levi and Brawzinho and then in the semi I tried to keep the flow going but it just didn’t happen. I was trying to set-up a 360, I had a nice wall on the inside but then it kind of dropped out and I couldn’t seem to pick the best waves. I didn’t see the other guys waves but I’m sure they got some great ones, so congratulations to Kevin and Boujmaa for making the final. I haven’t competed for a while over here but I was just back and didn’t have any obligations and I mean I love to windsurf so why not! I love to support the AWT and the PWA and I just want to be part of fantastic event. It’s great to be part of the event back on Maui and I think if we keep working hard we can just build the event bigger and bigger.”

LEVI SIVER

“Congrats to Boujmaa for taking the AWT pro. Had some fun waves today and was feeling good before I broke my mast and got smashed and rinsed game over. O well next events tomorrow!”

The Final Eight Riders: Kevin Pritchard, Josh Stone, Morgan Noireax, Keith Teboul, Jason Polakow, Levi Siver, Marcilio Browne and Boujmaa Guilloul

All eight riders had sailed exceptional heats to make it this far and round six came down to wave selection, hacking turns, massive 360s and pushing it just far enough. Pushing it too far meant a trip down to Lanes and broken gear, not far enough meant to chance of not progressing as everyone was pushing; it was all about smart sailing.

In the first quarterfinal Kevin Pritchard and Josh Stone did just this and both sailed solid heats, rounding them off in style. Keith Teboul and Morgan Noireaux couldn’t quite put together what they needed in the hardest of conditions. The second saw an insane spectacle with 360s and lip smacks being laid down by Jason Polakow and Levi Siver, but then Levi suffered a gear breakage and Boujmaa stepped up his riding, securing his spot in the final. Marcilio also showed moments of brilliance, but it was again the best put-together heats that made it through (that and managing to avoid the rocks).

The Final Four Riders: Kevin Pritchard, Boujmaa Gulloul, Josh Stone, Jason Polakow

Now the stage was set for the final showdown, almost. After a show-stopping performance in the quarters Jason Polakow struggled to replicate this in the semi-final, taking forth spot. Just ahead of him was Josh Stone who showed his formidable style and class, riding wave after beautiful wave. But it was again the two who sailed the smartest heats that made it through: Kevin Pritchard and Boujmaa Guilloul showed a huge amount of awareness and heat planning, combined with critical turns to take first and second respectively.

One more super final would follow – 20 minutes with just Pritchard and Guilloul on the water and everything to play for. It was the closest of heats with both riders scoring huge wave after huge wave. Boujmaa closed his heat with a wave with a few turns, a head dip aerial AND a goiter. KP came straight back with another great wave, finishing it with a 360. This heat came down to the wire but it was Boujmaa Guilloul who came out on top.

The forecast for tomorrow looks great too with waves of 2.2m-2.4m at 12 seconds being predicted. Tomorrow starts the PWA event with the registration and the trials.