PWA Cold Hawaii 2014 – Dag 6-7

Wederom was er nauwelijks tot geen wind op dag 6 van de PWA Cold Hawaii. De organisatie besloot een tow-in evenement te organiseren om het publiek te entertainen. Dit was een spectaculair gezicht. De tow-in werd gewonnen door Ricardo Campello. Iedereen vroeg zich af of er nog wel iemand gekroond zou worden met de kampioenstitel. Gelukkig keerden de golven en wind terug op de laatste dag van het evenement. De finale kon doorgaan, lees in het onderstaande verslag wie de PWA Cold Hawaii 2014 gewonnen heeft!

Cold Hawaii – Day 6

With almost no wind predicted for the penultimate day of the KIA Cold Hawaii PWA World Cup a side tow-in event was arranged to provide the entertainment for the crowds, which gathered to enjoy a spectacular display in the golden sunshine. Ricardo Campello (Patrik / Point-7 / MFC) collected his second GoPro of the week after managing to claim another victory.

Six sailors – Albert Pijoan (Starboard / Severne / MFC), Jules Denel (JP / NeilPryde), Sebastian Kornum, Antoine Martin (JP / NeilPryde), Ricardo Campello and Alessio Stillrich (Fanatic / North) – lined up for the tow-in final as they were given three opportunities each to wow the crowds and judges in their search for victory. In the end Campello stole the show as he was awarded 26 points out of a possible 30 after landing an immaculate burner. Meanwhile, local boy Kornum put together a good display to take second place as he rotated through an air flaka, while yesterday’s tow-in winner Martin had to settle for third today.

PWA Cold Hawaii

Ricardo Campello wins the Tow-in contest.

Campello may have claimed victory but his success came at some cost after the Brazilian injured his shoulder whilst warming up for the final. Hopefully the injury is nothing too serious and won’t have a detrimental affect on his performance.

All eyes now turn towards tomorrow’s forecast as everyone prepares for what should be a frantic final day, as the race to gain a result for the fifth consecutive year goes down to the wire. With the wind and waves expected to arriver during the night, skippers’ meeting has been called bright and early at 6:30am with the action commencing from 7am. Up first will be the trialists before the single elimination begins. Don’t miss any of the incredible action by tuning into www.pwaworldtour.com. Here you’ll be able to follow the action as it happens via the PWA live stream and live ticker.

Cold Hawaii – Day 7

At the start of the week we were asking if one of the previous champions would reign supreme again or if a fifth new champion in five years would be crowned, but as the end of the final day of the 2014 KIA Cold Hawaii PWA World Cup approached, everyone was left asking if anyone would be crowned champion at all.

However, Cold Hawaii somehow produced the goods again, despite the fading hopes – and rapidly fading light – as the wind and waves returned just in the nick of time to see Thomas Traversa (Tabou / GA Sails) claim victory in almost complete darkness. Today goes down as a historic day for both the event, which has now produced a result for five successive years, and of course Traversa, who becomes the first man to win two Cold Hawaii Crowns, having previously claimed his maiden victory on the PWA Wave World Tour here in 2012.

PWA Cold Hawaii

A race against time to finish the final

Single Elimination

Winners’ Final

Victor Fernandez (Fanatic / North / MFC) came into the event as the current world tour leader and the Spaniard continued his superb form to book his place in the final, alongside Thomas Traversa after the duo defeated Leon Jamaer (JP / NeilPryde) and Robby Swift (JP / NeilPryde / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins), respectively in the semifinals. However, the winners’ final wasn’t just a battle between the last two men standing, but also a fight against time as darkness moved in. Despite the dark, both sailors continued to perform terrifically well, especially considering the extremely challenging conditions on offer. Fernandez ruled in the air as he stomped a tabletop forward, but there was no stopping TT on the wave as he wracked up 9 and 8.25 point waves to claim an emphatic victory. The Frenchman was the standout sailor throughout the day, especially on the wave as he showed unrivalled fluidity and speed to pull of crazy frontside aerials and takas.

Thomas Traversa on fire

Earlier in the evening Leon Jamaer claimed the biggest scalp of his career, so far, as he took down the two-time world champion – Philip Köster (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins). Jamaer showed superior wave selection, together with big powerful hacks to progress. However, Köster had his chances, but for once couldn’t capitalise, but he was still the only man to land a double forward in the contest. Victory against Köster, secured Jamaer his first place in the top three and the same was true for his teammate Robby Swift, who defeated the reigning world champion, Marcilio ‘Brawzinho’ Browne (Goya Windsurfing / MFC), to secure his maiden finish on the podium in joint third. On his way to third place, Swift landed a sick frontside aerial and was clearly delighted afterwards.

Frontside air – Robby Swift

Elsewhere, Graham Ezzy (Quatro / Ezzy) stole victory against Jules Denel (JP / NeilPryde) with the final wave of the heat in what was an incredibly close fought contest, whilst teammates, Adam Lewis (Fanatic / North) and Alessio Stillrich (Fanatic / North) also enjoyed a tight battle in the first round, but in the end Lewis just edged the duel. Antoine Martin (JP / NeilPryde) was unlucky in heat 10b as he suffered a broken mast, whilst battling against Philip Köster. When the Frenchman returned to the water, he was underpowered and couldn’t take the potential opening to progress.

PWA Cold Hawaii

Graham Ezzy leaves it late

The end of a long, but in the end successful day, came shortly before 8:30pm to cap another great week in Cold Hawaii, which once again showed a wide range of conditions.

The prestigious podium

Overall Results – 2014 KIA Cold Hawaii PWA World Cup

1st Thomas Traversa (Tabou / GA Sails)

2nd Victor Fernandez (Fanatic / North / MFC)

3rd Robby Swift (JP / NeilPryde / Mystic / Maui Ulta Fins)

3rd Leon Jamaer (JP / NeilPryde)

5th Alex Mussolini (Tabou / GA Sails)

5th Ricardo Campello (Patrik / Point-7 / MFC)

5th Philip Köster (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins)

5th Marcilio ‘Brawzinho’ Browne (Goya Windsurfing / MFC)

van