As the Playa Surf CBbC Hotel Aloha Classic Grand Final in Hawaii draws near, all eyes are on the 2022 and 2023 World Windsurfing Wave Champions, Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins) and Marcilio Browne (Goya Windsurfing). Both are gearing up for an electrifying showdown in their quest for a third consecutive world title. But the pressure is high for Offringa, who enters the competition sitting in third place in the rankings. Having missed a crucial first event, Offringa hit her trademark form in the Europe leg to achieve two wins for the season. But she will need to finish well ahead of current leader, Lina Erpenstein (Severne / Severne Sails) to claim her third consecutive title. As she gears up for some tough competition, Offringa shares her mindset, saying:“I’m very motivated to win. Waves is what I feel is my biggest challenge and I’m extremely motivated to just get better in that discipline.” With a forecast of solid waves, which may favour local riders such as 2023 world wave runner up Sarah Hauser (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing), Offringa seems relaxed:“Hawaii always pushes me outside of my comfort zone. It looks like it will be big, but that’s what I prepare for.” Meanwhile, Browne enters Maui with a slim lead over the Pro Men’s fleet. Despite a consistent performance throughout the year, he has yet to secure a first-place finish, putting his pursuit of a third title in jeopardy. Currently, he sits just 295 points ahead of former three-time World Wave Champion, Spain’s Victor Fernandez (Duotone Windsurfing) whose had a stellar year with multiple finals finishes. Adding to the tension, Browne has left the door open to five other competitors who could seize the world title and must fend off a huge fleet of 60 athletes, that include local specialists like Kai Lenny (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing), Bernd Roediger (Flikka / S2Maui / Black Project Fins) and Morgan Noireaux (JP / NeilPryde / Black Project Fins). Commenting on the level, Browne says:“Here it’s always the local guys who stand out, the local guys are incredible. There’s a lot of people sailing really well right now. I do get excited by that, I like the energy of pushing each other.” Amidst the intense title race this year, Browne will stay focused on his family to maintain a sense of calm:“I keep the routine the same.  I hang out with the family. I don’t think and focus on the competition.  In my head, I try to view it as just another day to go sailing, I try not to think about it too much,” he says.   The Aloha Classic Wave Grand Final event will run from 21 October to 1 November at Ho’okipa Beach Park in Maui, Hawaii.  It includes a heavily stacked field of 60 Pro Men and 15 Pro Women, as well as Masters and Pro Junior divisions.   The current forecast predicts promising wind and swell midway through the 12 day window, which should provide for some breathtaking Grand Final performances.  Follow the live competition scores on LiveHeats. The full Live Broadcast will be streamed on the IWT Wave Tour YouTube channel, and the official IWT event page.  Follow on social media channels @pwaworldtour and @IWT_Wave_Tour.  The event also offers spectacular free viewing at Ho'okipa Beach Park.

Words by Jane Seman.

Photos courtesy of @fishbowldiaries.