The Maui Aloha Classic kicked off on Sunday with a grand opening ceremony, and on Monday the action got underway on the water. A few days earlier, Hookipa had already shone with perfect conditions, which should also continue during the contest week.
It all started with the women's contest. As with the Event in Fiji Jane Seman, Angela Cochran and Jessica Crisp, some legends from the 80s and 90s, were the stars. Above all, 24-time world champion Jessica Crisp stood out and took a well-deserved victory in the end. The IWT compared the 53-year-old's performance with that of Kelly Slater, who also won the Pipeline Contest this year at the age of over 50.
Maui local Sarah Hauser and Maria Andrés from Spain took second and third place. They were followed by Angela Cochran, the next Master starter, followed by Anne-Marie Reichmann. Jane Seman, used to wind from the left at her home spot Margaret River, had to give way to the later finalists in the semi-final.
Kai Lenny, Brawzinho and more at the start in the men's field
Four more days of Aloha Classic are scheduled, with the time slot for competitions from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm local time each day. In the men's event, Morgan Noireaux, Bernd Roediger, Antoine Martin and Camille Juban will be competing for this year's IWT title. Maui locals such as Levi Siver, Jake Schettewi and PWA World Champion Marcilio Browne will also be at the start, and Ricardo Campello has also announced his attendance. Kai Lenny, who has been inspired by Brawzinho's world title to compete in more windsurfing contests again, is likely to attract a lot of attention.
