PWA Calendar 2020 – France / Marignane cancelled

Coronavirus impacts the Professional Windsurfing Tour calendar 2020. In March we interviewed Rich Page, tour manager of the PWA, about the Coronavirus situation and impact on the PWA Tour.

Update 12.09.2020

The PWA Wave contest in Klitmøller was announced as a 1 star wave event in the calendar, but had to be cancelled due to the COVID situation, but the PWA Youth and Junior World Cup wave contest will still go ahead in Klitmøller from the 13th September.

The event organizer: “This time, the small cosy fishing village in Klitmøller will host the ‘NoerStick Cold Hawaii PWA Youth Windsurf Wave World Cup 2020’ in the Youth and the Juniors division, age of under 20 and U17 – U15 – U13 boys and girls, between September, 13th and Sunday, 19th.”

The NoerStick Cold Hawaii PWA Youth Windsurf Wave World Cup 2020 will happen

Update 29.08.2020

The decision has been taken to cancel the 2020 PWA Marignane World Cup which had been scheduled for Early October.
It had been hoped that the event could continue and grant a spectacular world championship slalom showdown. However, with a recent surge in cases in France as well as several other European locations, combined with increased restrictions on travel from certain countries, and tighter rules for large scale events, Club Nautique Marignanais, in conjunction with the PWA, have taken the reluctant decision to cancel the event and focus instead on 2021.

Update 29.07.2020

PWA/IWT Aloha Classic in Maui cancelled & postponed to 2021

The IWT & PWA had to decide to cancel the Aloha Classic. Sarah-Quita Offringa & Antoine Martin can’t defend the victories from 2019.

PWA: “As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to create challenges around the world, the decision has been taken by the PWA and IWT, to suspend planning for a 2020 Aloha Classic and, focus instead, on efforts to bring the event back for 2021.

The pandemic has created difficulties on many levels. There are still significant restrictions for people traveling to Maui from outside the US, and Maui County have rightly put measures in place to help the fight against COVID-19, which further complicate event planning, increasing costs and limitations on what is possible.

We thank the Maui County administration and Mayor Vitorino for their patient communication and efforts during what is undoubtedly a testing time and, whilst the loss of the event will be a blow to the County and the local economy, the safety and well being of the population of Maui, which includes many of our friends, must come first. The additional pressures on the global economy have also made it increasingly difficult to find suitable sponsorship for the event in this turbulent year.

With all of these factors combined, we have had to accept the reality that to proceed any further with the Aloha Classic would be unrealistic.”

Update 19.07.2020

Jenna Gibson & Maciek Rutkowski win the Slalom in Bol, Croatia

The first PWA event in 2020, the 1 Star Slalom in Bol, Brac was a success. Congrats to the winners Jenna Gibson & Maciek Rutkowski. Here’s a re-cap about the event

Update 17.06.2020

The PWA has confirmed, that the entries are now open for the 2020 Croatia PWA World Tour 1 Star. It looks like the event in Bol, Brac, Croatia is going to happen during the third week of July 2020. It will be the first PWA event in this difficult season.

Update 12.06.2020

We received positive news about the 1 Star PWA World Tour Slalom event in Bol, Croatia. There is a chance that the event will happen as planned at the famous Zoo Station in July 2020. 

PWA: “Amidst the difficulties we are all faced with caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we are finally able to bring some more positive news regarding PWA events this year. The 1 Star PWA World Tour Slalom event in Croatia is now expected to go ahead as planned from 13 – 18th July 2020.

Croatia has managed to avoid the worst ravages of the virus, and its borders are open and welcoming guests. As the event is a 1 Star rating, it will not count towards the World Championship ranking on its own, meaning that riders who wish to fight for the World Title later in the year in France need not necessarily attend. However, due to the unusual circumstances we find ourselves in this year, the event will be open for riders of any ranking to take part, up to the normal maximums and according to normal PWA entry structures.

The event will be Slalom, men and women, with men’s slalom including both fin and foil counting to one event ranking, although racing shall be run on either a fin only or foil only race basis. Women’s Slalom shall be run as separate disciplines, with both a fin Slalom result and a separate foil Slalom result.

We would like to stress that the event is going ahead to provide an opportunity to compete for athletes who wish to, and who are able to travel, and we do not want to make anyone feel obliged to take part if they feel they should not.

We are still waiting on final confirmation of the event and will bring you full details, including entry information, as soon as we have them. At this point we recommend that you don’t make any non-refundable arrangements, until such time as the official entry form has been released.”

Update 27.05.2020

COVID-19 Sotavento, Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam Cancelled

PWA: “Further to yesterday’s announcement regarding Tenerife, we unfortunately have to bring you further sad news regarding this year’s tour. Although there have been several stories in the press reporting that the Fuerteventura Grand Slam event was already cancelled, we had been working with the organisers to see if the event could be rescheduled and run on a reduced scale, in order to maintain its presence for 2020.

Despite those efforts, it has not been possible to keep the 2020 edition of the event alive any longer, and we are left with no choice but to announce the cancellation of the event for this year. As with all of our events, we fully expect Fuerteventura to continue in 2021, and work will begin immediately to ensure that the event comes back next year, bigger and better than ever! We will continue to bring you announcements regarding the remaining events as they arise.”

René Egli management: “The 35th anniversary of the Fuerteventura Wind- and Kitesurf World Cup had to be postponed to 2021 as a result of the Corona Pandemic due to safety concerns for all involved. Partners and sponsors will stay on board and are looking forward to host the prestigious event in 2021. Of course we will keep you informed about the new dates as soon as they are fixed.”

Update 26.05.2020

COVID-19 El Cabezo, Tenerife PWA World Cup Cancelled

PWA: “Due to the circumstances of the COVID-19 situation, and complications arising from those circumstances that affect funding and logistical support, the decision has been taken to cancel the 2020 edition of the Tenerife PWA World Cup, and to focus instead on the 2021 event. At this time there are no other final decisions regarding events that remain on the PWA calendar for this year, but we will continue to keep you updated as any developments occur.”

5 events remain on the 2020 calendar.

Update 22.05.2020

COVID-19 Pozo Izquierdo, Gran Canaria PWA World Cup Cancelled

Despite the best efforts of the organisers, the circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic have left little choice other than to postpone the 2020 Gran Canaria Wind and Waves Festival, PWA World Cup, until 2021.

Infos about the cancellation of the Gran Canaria Wind&Waves Festival by Daida Ruano, the president of the Club Deportivo Morenotwins: “The world championship of windsurfing in Gran Canaria of the Professional Windsurfers Association (PWA) is postponed until 2021 by the COVID-19. Club Deportivo Morenotwins, the organiser of the event, takes this drastic decision as it cannot guarantee the safety of the sportsmen and women, PWA judges, workers and windsurfers in general, who were to meet from the 3rd to the 12th July at the Gran Canaria Wind&Waves Festival 2020. For the first time in its 32-year history, the Gran Canaria Windsurfing World Cup will not be held, due to the uncertain scenario caused by the global pandemic. The organisation of an international event of this size, which brings together the best athletes on the professional windsurfing circuit and journalists from all over the world, requires compliance with a series of health and logistical protocols that have not yet been defined by the government authorities, less than a month and a half before the hypothetical start of the action on the water.” 

Daida Ruano pointed out that postponing the championship is an exercise in social responsibility.

“Although disappointing for everyone involved and for all those looking forward to the event, the safety and wellbeing of athletes, crew and everyone living in the Canary Islands must take precedence. We look forward to returning to Pozo in 2021! We will continue to bring you news of any other developments with the PWA World Tour as soon as we have it.” (PWA management)

Update 18.05.2020

COVID-19 Sylt, Germany PWA World Cup Cancelled

Amid the continuing issues created for sporting events around the world by the COVID-19 virus, the organisers of the Mercedes-Benz PWA World Cup Sylt have taken the decision to cancel the 2020 edition and apply all resources to the 2021 event which will take place in the same period as usual.

“This is a sad loss to the tour and we will miss visiting this historic windsurf location, but we all understand the realities of the circumstances we find ourselves in this year, and look forward to being able to return to Sylt in 2021.” (PWA management)

5 events are cancelled, 1 event is postponed and still 7 events are on the updated calendar.

Update 05.05.2020

COVID-19 Viana do Castelo, Portugal PWA World Cup Cancelled

It has been decided that there will be no possibility to reschedule the 2020 Viana PWA World Cup in Portugal, to September, so the event is now unfortunately officially cancelled for 2020, and postponed to 2021.

No further events have been cancelled or postponed at this time, but we will continue to monitor the situation and bring you any updates as soon as we have them.

4 events are cancelled, 1 event is postponed and still 8 events are on the updated calendar.

Update 27.03.2020

COVID-19 Catalunya Costa Brava PWA World Cup Cancellation

PWA: “Amid the continuing evolution of the global COVID-19 crisis, the decision has been taken to cancel the 2020 Costa Brava PWA World Cup. Although the cancellation is a disappointment to everyone involved, we know that you will all understand that the safety of not only the athletes and staff involved in the event, but the world’s population, must be the priority to all of us. The event is fully expected to return for 2021. There are no further updates about PWA events at this time.”

3 events are cancelled, 1 event is postponed and still 9 events are on the updated calendar.

Update 11.03.2020

COVID-19 France PWA World Cup Postponement

PWA: “As the COVID-19 situation continues to develop and expand, the decision has been taken to postpone the PWA Marignane World Cup in order to best protect the best interests of the riders and the event. The Marignane World Cup will now take place from the 9th to the 14th October 2020.
Although this is disappointing for everyone, we believe it is the best option to protect the success of the event, maintain sensible demands on travel, and ensure a fair competition for all under the current circumstances. We would like to thank everyone at Club Nautique Marignanais who have worked hard to make the event happen and deal with this complicated situation. 
At present there is no expectation of any further cancellations from the calendar, but we will continue to monitor the difficult circumstances and keep you all informed, should anything change.”

There are still 6 Slalom events (new format or classic) for men and 3 for women on the updated calendar.

Update 24.02.2020

COVID-19 South Korea PWA World Cup Cancellation

PWA: “Further to the cancellation of the Japan World Cup last week, and in light of the worsening situation with COVID-19 on the Korean Peninsula, the local authorities of Ulju County and Ulsan City have taken the decision to cancel the Ulsan PWA World Cup in Korea. As with the Japanese event, we fully expect South Korea to return to the PWA Calendar in 2021.”

Update 21.02.2020

COVID-19 Japan PWA World Cup Cancellation

Unfortunately the PWA had to announce the cancellation of the Japan event in April 2020 and it’s not sure, if the second Asian tour stop in South Korea will take place. Read more

As a result of the impact of the corona virus, COVID-19, the organizing committee of the Japan PWA World Cup at Yokosuka, have taken the decision to cancel this year’s event in the interests of the health and safety of competitors, crew and spectators.

The committee made the following statement: “The Japanese Government has issued a directive for the restraint of nonessential and non-urgent activities in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. As a result, many large-scale events within Japan have been cancelled. The members of the Executive Committee have decided to prioritize the health and safety of the sailors and visitors. In order to prevent the spread of the virus, we have determined that it would be best to cancel the 2020 Japan PWA competition.”

On February 11th the PWA has released their provisional 2020 tour calendar with 12 events:

• 8 Slalom events (new format or classic) for men and 5 for women
• 5 Wave performance events for women & men and
• 2 Freestyle events for men and one for women

“We are finally able to publish the PWA Calendar for 2020. Securing Freestyle events at the top level still presents its challenges and we continue to work on possibilities for all events through the year.

On the wave tour, the usual suspects will continue for 2020 and we expect to continue to build on the success of the very successful collaboration on Maui with our friends from the IWT, to ensure that the Aloha Classic continues to be a part of the world ranking.

The Slalom tour remains very strong and going into the 2020 season, the discipline is undergoing its greatest evolution in over a decade. Racing will now take place in winds down to 5 knots, with competitors being able to choose whether they race on a fin or a foil, creating a tactical opportunity as winds increase, similar to that of a tyre choice in formula 1 motor racing. The new format will almost guarantee racing on a daily basis at events and will ensure high speed action whether its 5.0m weather in Fuerteventura or a gentle sea breeze in Costa Brava.” (PWA)

PWA World Tour Calendar 2020 (provisional)

• France / Marignane – (31st March – 5th April) Slalom women & men – World Cup 5 Star (postponed due to the coronavirus/COVID-19)
• Japan / Yokosuka – (17th – 22th April) Slalom women & men – World Cup 5 Star (cancelled due to the coronavirus/COVID-19)
• South Korea / Jinha Beach – (30th April – 5th May) Slalom women & men – World Cup 5 Star (cancelled due to the coronavirus/COVID-19)
• Spain / Costa Brava – (19th – 24th May) Slalom (men only) – World Cup 4 Star (cancelled due to the coronavirus/COVID-19)
• Portugal / Viana do Castelo – (16th – 21st June) Slalom women & men – World Cup 5 Star (cancelled due to the coronavirus/COVID-19)
• Gran Canaria / Pozo Izquierdo (3th -11th July) Wave performance women & men – World Cup 5 Star(cancelled due to the coronavirus/COVID-19)
• Croatia / Bol (13th -18th July) Slalom women & men – World Tour 1 Star – completed
• Fuerteventura / Sotavento (23th July – 1st August) Slalom men only, Freestyle women & men – Grand Slam 6 Star(cancelled due to the coronavirus/COVID-19)
• Tenerife / El Cabezo (3rd – 9th August) Wave performance women & men – World Cup 5 Star (cancelled due to the coronavirus/COVID-19)
• Portugal / Viana do Castelo – (11th – 17th September) Slalom women & men – World Cup 5 Star(cancelled due to the coronavirus/COVID-19)
• Denmark / Klitmøller Cold Hawaii  (13th – 20th September) Wave performance women & men – World Tour 1 Star
  
• Germany / Sylt (25th September – 4th October) Wave performance women & men, Freestyle men, Slalom men – Grand Slam 7 Star (cancelled due to the coronavirus/COVID-19)
• France / Marignane – (9th – 14th October) Slalom women & men – World Cup 5 Star (cancelled due to the coronavirus/COVID-19)
• Maui / Ho’okipa (28th October – 12th November) Wave performance women & men – World Cup 5 Star (cancelled due to the coronavirus/COVID-19)

Additional possibilities include events in Brazil, Turkey, China & Cabo Verde

Portugal & Klitmøller returned to the 2020 calendar. Croatia is new on the calendar for 2020.

NEW STAR RATINGS on the PWA World Tour in 2020

Star ratings are added next to the events which is a new addition to the PWA structure. Under the new system, events will be awarded stars based on the level of the event in terms of prize money and associated standards.

New, lower level options have been created to offer an opportunity for new or smaller events to become part of the World Tour. These events, awarded the status of “World Tour” 1 – 3 Star will carry ranking points that count towards the PWA World Championship ranking according to their level. The points at each level will be calculated on a percentage basis according to the prize money level compared to full World Cup Prize money. However, riders will only count results according to the number of events at 4 star World Cup level and above. For example, if there 4 events at 4 Star World Cup or above, then a rider will count their best 4 results of the season – regardless of what level they are – before any discard rules have been applied.

1 – 3 Star events will include one discipline at different levels below World Cup Prize Money

4 Star events will include one full World Cup discipline for either men or women

5 Star events will include one full World Cup discipline for both men and women

6 Star events will include a minimum of 2 disciplines OR above minimum prize money

7 Star events will include more than 2 disciplines

All events of 4 to 7 Star, World Cup, Grand Slam and Super Grand Slam rating and above will carry the same ranking points for each discipline regardless of their star rating.

©pwaworldtour 2020