Boujmaa Guilloul is known for being one of the most radical free sailors out there. Jumping, surfing, Starboard tack or port tack, the man from Morocco is always pushing the boundaries of our sport to new levels. But this time, "Bouji" stood out in a competition, by winning the Starboard Severne AWT Aloha Classic, in front of legends Kevin Pritchard, Jason Polakow and Josh Stone. Since it's the first time we see Boujmaa on a podium, we caught up with him and asked him a few questions...

Starboard: Hi Boujmaa. Congratulations on your first win… ever? How does it feel to win here, at Ho'okipa during the Aloha Classic?

Boujmaa Guilloul: This is the ultimate win of my competition life. I have never seen myself or imagined I could climb on the first step on a podium here at Ho'okipa, with so many legends around. I was really happy and so surprised with myself, and gained confidence in me again.

STB: Why do you think you won this event? Was there something different about it? In your preparation maybe? Your mindset?

BG: I think my mindset was as perfect as one can get, maybe with a bit of luck. I was really relaxed, I didn't really care whether I would lose or not, I was mainly focused on the fact that I had Ho'okipa for myself with only 3 other guys in the water just to have fun. I did that and imagined Ho'okipa at those perfect days so crowded and made the most of it all.

STB: What gear were you out on and how did it work for you? How were the conditions here today?

BG: I used the Kode Wave 77 with a new carbon layup for test which I tried before the contest and really really loved! It worked perfectly for me on a twin fin set up, together with my Severne Gator 4.5m² and my 4.2m² with the new Kode 72 as a backup. The conditions were tricky and hard to predict: it was side-on shore, light and big, but I had the perfect board to sneak around the sets and still turn on those waves regardless of the size of the board... which is quite big for my 65 kg.

STB: What happened in your head when Sam Bittner [AWT Tour manager] announced you won it over Kevin Pritchard?

BG: I didn't get it! I was surprised and didn't really understood I was the winner... I had a little moment to think I did win and I thought they must have mistaken themselves somewhere :)

STB: You don't drink alcohol but we're pretty sure you got a few drops in when Jason Polakow, Kevin Pritchard and Josh Stone sprayed you with champagne. True or false?

BG: Hahaha! False! I avoided it! I was rinsed with champagne, but it didn't reach my mouth! :)

STB: The final was a very tight one with Kevin nailing a pretty sick 360 in the final seconds of the heat. You had just landed a nice air and goiter. How close was the call? Were you nervous?

BG: I was not nervous, I didn't care about losing. I was already happy with my second place, but yeah, Kevin had a good size wave with only a 360 in it and I apparently had better score with a turn, an arched back aerial and a goiter. I was relaxed to be trowing goiters in a heat :)

STB: Now that you know what it feels like to win, do you still prefer free sailing? Or are we going to see Boujmaa do the whole tour next year?

BG: It does feel good but I will not say the whole tour. I want to win again, so let's see where the winds of change will bring me to :)

STB: Any last words?

BG: So be it!

- Pictures are courtesy of John Carter & Si Crowther / PWA World Tour & AWT -