JP Aloha Classic - Siver and Browne get into windsurfing history

by Vivienne Masters on 6 Nov 2013 For the first time in seven years the PWA, in association with the AWT, returned to beautiful shores of Ho’okipa for the JP Aloha Classic, presented by Nalu Kai, and Maui didn’t disappoint as it provided the world class conditions it is renowned for.

Over the duration of the event superb waves, just over mast high at times, and light to moderate winds greeted the competitors as they delivered an awe inspiring display of sailing to wow both the crowds and the judges.

After a long but enthralling nine days, not only was the prestigious winner of the JP Aloha Classic decided, but the 2013 PWA Wave World Champion was also crowned on Ho’okipa’s famous shores. Eventually Levi Siver (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing / MFC) stormed to victory in the JP Aloha Classic, whilst Marcilio ‘Brawzinho’ Browne (Goya Windsurfing / MFC) realized his childhood dream as he clinched his maiden PWA Wave World title

JP Aloha Classic - PWA
The single elimination was completed in possibly the best conditions of the entire event with solid winds and over mast high bombs hitting Ho’okipa by the late afternoon on day five. Ultimately Levi Siver demonstrated that he’s the King of his own backyard as he fended off stiff competition from Kauli Seadi (JP / Hot Sails Maui / MFC), Bernd Roediger (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing / MFC) and Morgan Noireaux (JP / Hot Sails Maui / Maui Ultra Fins) in the final. Seadi was within seconds of victory after a combination of trademark fluid turns and a huge aerial off the critical section, but Siver hunted out the perfect set just in the nick of time and the American delivered as he threw himself into a radical frontside wave 360, before backing it up with a massive, gouging turn, which sent the spray flying by the bucket load. By the end of the heat Siver and Seadi were almost in separable with just two hundredths of a point in it. Thankfully, for Siver his amazing final wave was just enough to edge out Seadi and take the single elimination crown.

With such an incredibly gifted fleet the first round saw several unbelievable, death battles, which resulted in inevitable upsets and title changing results. Philip Koester (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins), who came into the event as the tour leader, suffered a first round exit to two-time PWA Wave World Champion Josh Angulo (Angulo / Gun Sails) and Francisco Goya (Goya Windsurfing / MFC) - another former PWA Wave World Champion. Koester wasn’t the only first round casualty as Ricardo Campello (JP / NeilPryde / MFC), Klaas Voget (Fanatic / Simmer / MFC), Victor Fernandez (Fanatic / North / MFC), the legendary Robby Naish (Naish), Thomas Traversa (Tabou / Gaastra) and Leon Jamaer (Fanatic / Hot Sails Maui) all fell. With so many title contenders out in the first round the door was thrown wide open for Alex Mussolini (Tabou / Gaastra) and Marcilio ‘Brawzinho’ Browne. However, neither sailor could take full advantage of the opportunity presented to them, as they both exited the single elimination in the second round. For the time being though Mussolini was leading the fight for the 2013 PWA Wave World title, by the tightest of margins, ahead of Browne. Would the Spaniard be able to defend his position in the double elimination?

Into the double and Mussolini and Browne both stepped up their game, finding their rhythm to fight their way back through the double with a combination of stunning aerials, fluid turns, explosive frontside wave 360s and air takas. Having fought their way back the duo then setup one of the most eagerly anticipated, nerve racking, heats in a long time, which would take place on day nine:

The Title Decider
The first heat of day nine was where the 2013 PWA Wave World Championship would be decided as Browne and Mussolini competed against both each other and Josh Angulo and Robby Swift (JP / NeilPryde / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins) in a four man heat. If both Browne and Mussolini would advance then the duo would face a man-on-man decider, but unfortunately for Mussolini this isn’t how the script played out. Instead Brawzinho instantly picked up where he left off from on the day before as he connected a powerful, vertical hit, straight into a trademark air taka and one more gauging turn to take command of the title race. At the time the tension on the beach was palpable as the two title contenders waited nervously to find out their fates. However, it was Browne that was soon overcome by a sense of disbelief and euphoria as it was revealed that he and Josh Angulo had advanced, leaving Mussolini’s title hopes in tatters, whilst the Brazilian wrote his name in windsurfing history by achieving his childhood dream.

Marcilio ‘Brawzinho’ Browne speaks after capturing his maiden PWA Wave World Championship:
'It’s my childhood dream, it’s what I’ve been working towards for my whole life and it’s finally come true, it’s unbelievable. It’s been a long week and as much as you try to think about it, it’s always there in the back of your mind, and now that it’s actually over and it’s done, it’s not a load off my back but I can relax. The last few days have been very tense for me.'

'The first wave I went down in the first heat my legs were shaking, I’m not gonna lie, I’m just happy it worked out, had faith and got the job done.'

Winners’ Final
Levi Siver would be faced by Bernd Roediger in the winners’ final after the seventeen year old produced one of the performances of the day against former three-time world champion Kauli Seadi. In the battle for second and third Roediger rotated through an amazing taka right off the critical section of the wave to defeat Seadi. However, Siver was not ready to let the seventeen year old achieve a record equaling third win at Ho’okipa just yet, as the American gave a master class in wave selection and execution. The final was contested in light winds and tricky waves, but Siver made the conditions look comparatively easy. Siver’s wave of the heat consisted of a powerful top turn straight into a trademark tweaked aerial, before adding two more gouging, vertical hits. Siver got his just rewards from the judges as he received 8.38 points, which proved to be an unassailable lead. Roediger tried to respond, but after such a monumental effort against Seadi, he couldn’t quite pull it out of the bag on this occasion, leaving Siver to revel in his glory as he made the perfect return to the PWA Wave World Tour by claiming the prestigious JP Aloha Classic, which was also his first victory on the PWA.

The Prestigious 2013 JP Aloha Classic Champion Levi Siver:
' I don’t know what to day, I’m lost for words and I’m humbled and I’m so thankful to all you guys. I look out to this crowd and there’s a lot of friends who are happy for me and that just makes everything so much better. Thanks everybody. Aloha.'

Morgan Noireaux claimed fourth place, after producing one of the performances of his career, thus far, as he defeated the newly crowned world champion Marcilio Browne. Unfortunately the Hawaiian tweaked his foot on his final wave against Browne, which ultimately forced him to retire in the very next heat against Roediger.

Josh Angulo showed he’s still a force to be reckoned with as he finished in sixth place overall by showcasing his trademark one-handed aerials and powerful turns. The top ten was completed by Alex Mussolini, Robby Swift - who landed one of the moves of the contest, a huge goiter - and Kevin Pritchard (Starboard / Ezzy / MFC) who finished joint ninth with Graham Ezzy (Quatro / Ezzy).

AWT - Pro Fleet
Bernd Roediger claimed the AWT JP Aloha Classic as he clinched back-to-back victories at Ho’okipa by demonstrating his natural, explosive talent. Roediger combined huge aerials, together with goiters and air takas to keep Levi Siver, Keith Teboul (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing / MFC) and Camille Juban (Quatro / MauiSails / MFC) at bay.

After a pulsating end to the 2013 PWA World Tour we would like to once again extend our congratulations to all of the 2013 PWA World Champions. We are already looking forward to the 2014 PWA World Tour, bringing you more epic action from the most talented sailors in the world.

Overall Results of the 2013 JP Aloha Classic PWA World Cup:
1st Levi Siver (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing / MFC)
2nd Bernd Roediger (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing / MFC)
3rd Kauli Seadi (JP / Hot Sails Maui / MFC)
4th Morgan Noireaux (JP / Hot Sails Maui / Maui Ultra Fins)
5th Marcilio ‘Brawzinho’ Browne (Goya Windsurfing / MFC)
6th Josh Angulo (Angulo / Gun Sails)
7th Alex Mussolini (Tabou / Gaastra)
8th Robby Swift (JP / NeilPryde / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins)
9th Kevin Pritchard (Starboard / Ezzy / MFC)
9th Graham Ezzy (Quatro / Ezzy)

Overall 2013 PWA Wave World Tour Rankings:
1st Marcilio ‘Brawzinho’ Browne (Goya Windsurfing / MFC)
2nd Alex Mussolini (Tabou / Gaastra)
3rd Victor Fernandez (Fanatic / North / MFC)
4th Thomas Traversa (Tabou / Gaastra)
5th Ricardo Campello (JP / NeilPryde / MFC)
6th Philip Köster (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins)
7th Jules Denel (JP / NeilPryde)
8th John Skye (RRD / MFC)
9th Leon Jamaer (Fanatic / Hot Sails Maui)
10th Klaas Voget (Fanatic / Simmer / MFC)

Results AWT Pros Fleet
1st Bernd Roediger (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing / MFC)
2nd Levi Siver (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing / MFC)
3rd Camille Juban (Quatro / MauiSails / MFC)
4th Keith Teboul (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing / MFC)