During the afternoon’s standby period yesterday, the PWA caught up with the Netherlands’ Peter Volwater (Fanatic / MauiSails) to see what he’s made of the conditions so far, and what gear he’s got racked up for the next three days of racing.
Peter Volwater - Pic: PWA/John Carter
PWA: Can you describe what the conditions are like in Mui Ne, and do they compare to any of the other tour destinations?
Peter Volwater: “I’d say Mui Ne compares to Pozo, in a sense that Pozo is also onshore, and at high tide there, there’s also a backwash from the rocks in the shoreline, so it gets extremely bouncy when you’re sailing. It makes things really tricky here, as there’s usually enough things to concentrate on, like getting your timing right on the start line, so the chop definitely adds a new dimension to things. Also, when you have 12 people at the start line, and wind is right on the edge, say 7-9 knots, the back wash makes it really technical.”
PWA: What gear have you chosen for the event?
PV: “With my sails, i’ve registered my 9.2m, 8.4m, 7.6m, 7.0m, and 6.3m. My boards are my 134, 111, and 85.”
PWA: Did you do any specific training for this event?
PV: “This event is earlier on in year than what we’re used to, normally the first slalom event of the season is later on, so it’s been a challenge to get all my gear together, and tune everything. I was in Maui at the end of January to test my gear, and spend a month tuning everything in preparation for the event, but it wasn’t as windy as i’d hoped out there, so i didn’t get quite the preparation i’d hoped for.”
© Interview: PWA/Andre Buchanan
Volwater in the losers final of the PWA event - Pic: PWA/John Carter
