The second day of the PWA contest, at the Starboard Severne Aloha Classic, saw more fantastic action as Ho’okipa continued to deliver. Today saw another full day of competition with set waves mainly in the logo to mast high region as both the men’s and women’s single eliminations were completed. Iballa Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) dominated in the women’s division, which sees her rise to the top of the overall rankings, for the first time in 2014, in the final event of the year, whilst twenty year old - Morgan Noireaux (JP / Hot Sails Maui) - claimed his maiden victory on the PWA Wave World Tour with an outstanding display of sailing in the most tightly contested heat of the day. Meanwhile, Thomas Traversa (Tabou / GA Sails), is now on the verge of his first world crown after claiming second in the single.

Thomas Traversa

The men’s single elimination resumed with the second semifinal featuring Ricardo Campello (Patrik / Point-7 / MFC), Boujmaa Guilloul (Starboard / Severne / Mystic / MFC), Morgan Noireaux and title challenger - Victor Fernandez (Fanatic / North / MFC). The Spaniard entered the heat knowing he needed to qualify from the semis to keep the pressure on Thomas Traversa, otherwise he would face an extremely tough road back through the double elimination, and that’s exactly what Fernandez managed to do with a polished display. The 2010 world champion was clearly in the mood today as he exploded from the word go with three explosive turns and a sick frontside 360 to earn 9.375 points, which happens to be the joint second highest scoring wave of the contest - equal with Marcilio ‘Brawzinho’ Browne (Goya Windsurfing / MFC). Also advancing into the four man final was Morgan Noireaux, who won the second semi, but his performance in the final was even better.

Boujmaa head dip

Robby Naish

The four man final saw a truly exceptional heat of sailing in what Head Judge - Duncan Coombs - classed as one of the best heats he’s ever seen featuring - Morgan Noireaux, Victor Fernandez, Thomas Traversa and Marcilio ‘Brawzinho’ Browne (Goya Windsurfing / MFC). All four sailors showed several moments of brilliance as they rose to the occasion under the pressure, however as always there could only be one winner. As well as battling for the prestigious title of the Aloha Classic, Fernandez and Traversa, were also engaged in a battle of their own for the world title. Coming into the final heat of the single elimination, Fernandez needed to beat Traversa by at least two places to topple the Frenchman from the top of the standings, but could he do it? Unfortunately not, despite another excellent display, Fernandez couldn’t quite muscle Traversa out of the way, as TT claimed second place - 1.62 points ahead of Fernandez in third. This means that Traversa is now on the verge of his maiden world title, as Fernandez now needs to win the event, beating Traversa in the process, to snatch the title. On his way to second, Traversa, nailed a frontside 360 and a sick under the lip aerial, as well as picking up an over mast high wave from out the back and destroying it all the way to the inside.

However, it was Noireaux, who stole the show with near perfect scores across the board with back-to-back waves of 9 and 9.25 points - the latter was undoubtedly the wave of the day, as the Hawaiian killed another wave to set the beach alive with cheers after tweaking a sick aerial, straight into a hell turn, before finishing with a silky smooth taka. And after such a polished display, Noireaux, was deservedly crowned the single elimination champion, much to the delight of the local crowd. 

Morgan Noireaux

Marcilio ‘Brawzinho’ Browne made a slightly slow start to the final, but produced one of the moments of the day before the end as he took things to another level. The Brazilian looked as though he was winding up for something big and that’s exactly what he managed to do as he launched into an absolutely amazing air taka, which was landed fully planing in the flats and it is difficult to see anyone pipping him to the Dunkerbeck Eyewear Best Move prize.

The Men’s double elimination started soon after the completion of the single eliminations and the opening seven heats have been completed. So far, Antoine Martin (JP / NeilPryde) and Robby Swift (JP / NeilPryde / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins), are the two sailors to have made the most progress having won both of their opening two heats. 

The women’s winners’ final saw Iballa Moreno, Fiona Wylde (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing), Tiffany Ward (Starboard / Ezzy) and Junko Nagoshi (Goya Windsurfing) lining up against each other in the battle for the Aloha Classic. However, with Daida Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins), taking an early exit in the single elimination, the door was opened for Iballa to head to the top of the overalls for the first time this year… a chance she would duly take.

In the rounds leading up to the final, Iballa, had been constantly searching for an aerial, without much joy, but in the final that all changed as she launched into a massive aerial, backed up with two vertical, snappy turns to earn 9.5 points, which essentially secured the victory. However, seventeen year old - Fiona Wylde - pushed Iballa all the way in her first PWA event, as she impressed throughout the single elimination with her fluid top to bottom wave riding earning, which eventually earned her second place. Meanwhile, Ward secured the final place on the podium with her rail to rail riding securing the deal against Nagoshi, who had to settle for fourth for the moment at least. 

Meanwhile, Amanda Beenen (Tabou / GA Sails), claimed joint fifth place alongside Sarah Hauser (Quatro / Simmer), Jessica Crisp (Patrik / Hot Sails Maui) and Tatiana Howard (NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins). As things stand, Beenen, currently rises into third place overall, over Steffi Wahl (Patrik / Sailloft Hamburg), who was sailing through the pain barrier. 

Fiona Wylde

In order for Daida to retain her title, the reigning world champ will need to rampage back through the double to third place overall, or for Iballa to drop back to second, in which case fourth place would see, Daida, take the title on a tie break due to beating Iballa more times this season. 

The forecast for tomorrow promises more wind and waves and the skippers’ meeting has been called for 9am again, with the action commencing from 10 O’Clock. Don’t miss any of the incredible action by tuning into www.pwaworldtour.com, where you’ll be able to follow everything as it happens via the PWA live stream and live ticker.

Daida 360

Results After Single Elimination - Men’s Wave

1st Morgan Noireaux (JP / Hot Sails Maui)

2nd Thomas Traversa (Tabou / GA Sails)

3rd Victor Fernandez (Fanatic / North / MFC)

4th Marcilio Browne (Goya Windsurfing / MFC)

5th Alex Mussolini (Tabou / GA Sails)

5th Boujmaa Guilloul (Starboard / Severne / Mystic / MFC)

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

Results After Single Elimination - Women’s Wave

1st Iballa Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins)

2nd Fiona Wylde (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing)

3rd Tiffany Ward (Starboard / Ezzy)

4th Junko Nagoshi (Goya Windsurfing)

5th Sarah Hauser (Quatro / Simmer)

5th Jessics Crisp (Patrik / Hot Sails Maui)

5th Amanda Beenen (Tabou / GA Sails)

5th Tatiana Howard (NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins)