After signing onto Starboard a few months ago, Katie McAnena is already making headlines with her new boards, winning the AWT Goya Pro Cabo Verde in unusual conditions. We caught up with Katie on her way back home and asked her a couple of questions about the event and her win.

Starboard: Hi Katie! Congrats on winning the AWT Goya Pro Cabo Verde. When did you realize that the victory was in sight?

Katie McAnena: Thank you! I am over the moon with happiness, I for sure was not expecting to win and was coming here more with the intention to push my level in a new spot that is world famous.

We had a total of three heats to decide the overall result and on the first day, I had a poor heat and came in 3rd so coming into the second day I knew I had to really focus and not put too much pressure on myself but also not totally loose sight of trying to win. I was really happy with how I sailed in the following two heats and even though I did not know the result I was happy to say that regardless of where I placed I could be proud of my performance.

Starboard: Can you talk us through the final?

Katie: The final heats were in super windy conditions! We sailed at a spot called Little Ho'okipa and it was side-shore, 30 knots with over head high waves. All the girls had packed larger gear as the typical image of windsurfing on Cabo Verde is more float-and-ride Ponta Preta style. So we were all caught out with slightly bigger than ideal gear to choose from. There were some really decent set waves peeling off the point and the key was smart wave selection as the best waves broke the whole way to the shore and allowed 4-5 turns to be made.

Thankfully the wind was so strong that making it upwind back to the point was lightening fast so in my heats I think I caught maybe 6 or 7 waves. I could see the other girls charging and I know for sure the results were super-tight. Local ripper Vickey Abbott knows this place so well and when it comes to big Ponta Preta or Ali Baba she is unbeatable! She sailed really well and came 3rd overall. AWT Tour director Sam Bittner was on fire and has improved exponentially since last year, she came 2nd overall. Newcomer Nicole bandini took fourth after some really fluid and confident sailing and she will be one to watch in the future!

Starboard: Which gear were you using?

Katie: We were all caught out with larger than ideal sail size choices. Traveling here, we all presumed we would need our biggest gear and not expecting to have 30 knots of wind! But thankfully my 2015 Starboard Quad 74 is so versatile and can hold it's own in almost any conditions. The speed and drive it has was perfect for the contest and gave me the best opportunity to maximise the conditions.

I also used my Hot Sails Firelight 4.3m² which again was not ideal for the level of wind but thankfully has such a range of power I could rig it to adapt to the higher winds and feel confident in my sailing.

Starboard: The event looked like a lot of fun. Can you tell us a bit about the competition, the conditions and the atmosphere?

Katie: It has been a phenomenal contest. The AWT has brought back an event to the island of Sal after so many years without one. This island deserved to attract world-wide coverage not only for it's world-class waves but more importantly for the country and people of Cabo Verde. The AWT is all about family and to see that mirrored in the local community with so many local sailors entering the contest is magic.

For the first time the local heroes could enter a windsurfing event on their home turf and the joy and stoke they have expressed is beyond words. The local dignitaries spoke at the opening ceremony and welcomed the AWT with open arms to their island of Sal and wished us every blessing for a safe, successful, wind-filled event. Having a female fleet was also a first and a recognition for women's abilities in wave sailing that is well-deserved I feel. The effort and planning that has gone in by Vickey and Sam and the community is phenomenal and I am honestly so privileged and humbled and over-whelmed not only to have been a part of this inaugural event but also to have won it!

Starboard: How were the celebrations that night? Any sore heads in the morning?

Katie: Oh well, it would have been rude not to celebrate! Yes, it was a fantastic night and we all had a wonderful meal and hit the tiles for some late night dancing! I think the whole atmosphere with all the competitors was not necessarily focused on the winners but on the group as a whole who all made huge efforts and sacrifices to organise and also compete at this event. We were a very happy group for sure!!

Starboard: What's next on the cards for the champ, Katie McAnena?

Katie: Well it's back to work for now... I'm a doctor in Ireland and working hard so I can be able to come away and travel to another wonderful windsurfing destination and improve my sailing. I will be on Maui in a few weeks to hang out with the Starboard crew for their 2016 photoshoot which I cannot wait for.

Then I plan to continue with my windsurf and SUP wave and race training at home and attempt to hold on to my national titles from last year in those sports. I would love to attend a few more AWT events this year so for sure I will try to make Baja, or Hatteras or the Aloha Classic. It's all about balancing life between work, windsurf, SUP and being happy and healthy!

Starboard: Thanks Katie and safe travels home!

And to keep up with Katie, head on over to his website here.

- Photography by Si Crowther / AWT 2015 -