Please select your home edition
Edition
J Composites J/99

2024 Spicare Omaezaki Japan World Cup - Overall

by International Windsurfing Tour 25 Feb 2024 05:41 PST 19-25 February 2024
2024 Spicare Omaezaki Japan World Cup © International Windsurfing Tour

In the final day of the Spicare Omaezaki Japan World Cup, junior winners edged out their competitors with multiple, buzzer beater moments.

In the Pro Junior Boys, 2023 World Junior Champion, Liam Dunkerbeck (Spain) took the win in an intense final, where the last three waves ridden in the final 30 seconds counted for each of the podium finishers. In light, cross offshore conditions with clean, head high waves, Liam found an excellent set that offered multiple critical lip hits. Scoring a 7.67, he looked like he'd take the win mid-way through the heat if he could find a back-up. But in the last 30 seconds of the heat, Ryu Nogochi (Japan), who had impressed in the Pro Mens by making the semi-finals, made a late charge, nailing a good critical lip hit on a decent set to take the lead. If he'd made his last aerial on that wave, he may have won.

Liam answered back on a smaller wave behind, with two lips hits that managed to give him just enough of a back-up score to take back the lead. Right on the buzzer, Hayata Ishii (Japan), who was currently sitting in fourth place, was on one of the biggest waves of the heat behind him. Hayata started with a great aerial, but the wave didn't offer much for his second move and he scored a 6.27 to finish as runner up, just 0.2 points ahead of Ryu.

Ryoma Sugi (Japan) had sat in second all the way up to the last minute, but caught a smaller wave in front of the sets and had to watch as the others all slashed their way to move ahead of him. A grateful Liam said, "It was probably one of the most difficult heats of my life. It was freezing cold, glassy on the inside and really windy on the outside. I was lucky I got that big one in the middle of the heat."

Maria Morales Navarro (Spain) continued the Spanish conquest in the Junior Girls by knocking out upcoming Japanese talent, Nozomi Sakai and Mii Yamada. Nozomi did well to start the heat with two quick scores, but with very light winds, just fell off the back of a good wave on her second move. This still gave her the lead, which she held all the way up until the last minute, when Maria found a beautiful looking set wave. She slashed her way through multiple turns on clean walls to steal the win from Nozomi. "I'm super happy to win here at Omaezaki. The conditions were really good, but it was not that easy," said Maria joyfully.

In difficult light-wind conditions, the Masters ended up as an all-Japanese final. Yoshitaka Ikeda found a good down the line rhythm to take out Takashi Endo in yet another close final.

Riders will now focus on the next 5 star event of the 2024 World Wave Tour in Chile, from March 30 to April 12.

Pro Junior Boys

  • Liam Dunkerbeck
  • Hayata Ishii
  • Ryu Noguchi
  • Ryoma Sugi

Pro Junior Girls

  • Maria Morales Navarro
  • Nozomi Sakai
  • Mii Yamada
  • Natsuki Wawkasa

Masters

  • Yoshitaka Ikeda
  • Takashi Endo
  • Masaru Nimi / Dai Akimot

Related Articles

2025 Chile World Cup set for epic showdown
The unified PWA IWT World Wave Tour's (WWT) first 5-Star event of the season The 2025 Chile World Cup is set to open the unified PWA IWT World Wave Tour's (WWT) first 5-Star event of the season, with the world's best wave riders converging on Matanzas' legendary waves for two weeks of elite-level competition. Posted on 24 Mar
Windsurfer IT set for serious fun off Waiheke
The Interdominion Windsurfer LT event, starting Friday, has drawn sailors from Australia, NZ and USA The Interdominion Windsurfer LT event, starting Friday, is to challenge the Australian and Pacific nation Windsurfer LT sailors to show the New Zealand Windsurfer LT sailors how they compare on an international level. Posted on 20 Mar
Top 5 watersports accessories you need right now
Vaikobi has you covered both on and off the water with a large range of innovative accessories. Vaikobi has you covered both on and off the water with a large range of innovative accessories designed for life around the ocean. Accessorise your ocean lifestyle with Vaikobi. Posted on 11 Mar
2025 Puerto Rico World Cup overall
Champions crowned across multiple divisions after an unforgettable week The Puerto Rico Windsurf World Cup, presented by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, concluded in spectacular fashion on Sunday, as champions were crowned across multiple divisions after an unforgettable week of competition. Posted on 11 Mar
2025 Puerto Rico World Cup day 2
Masters division delivers high drama in Vega Baja The 2025 Puerto Rico World Cup continued with Day 2 of the Masters Division, as competitors took to the pristine waters of Vega Baja under idyllic tropical conditions. Posted on 3 Mar
Musto Flexlite Dynamic range launch
With Ellie Aldridge and Tom Court at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show Musto has launched the latest iteration of the Flexlite Collection showcasing the new Flexlite Dynamic range, designed specifically for foilers and kiteboarders. Posted on 3 Mar
2025 Puerto Rico World Cup day 1
Kicking off in spectacular fashion The 2025 Puerto Rico Windsurf World Cup, presented by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, kicked off in spectacular fashion today as the world's best wave riders took to the water for the opening rounds of competition. Posted on 2 Mar
Beat the heat in a UV50+ top
Now available in hooded, zip, short and long sleeve Now available in hooded, zip, short and long sleeve... there are so many ways to stay cool and protected from the sun in a Vaikobi UV Ocean top. Posted on 1 Mar
2025 Puerto Rico World Cup set to kick off
The world's best windsurfers have arrived for the 4-Star World Wave Tour event The world's best windsurfers have arrived in Puerto Rico for the highly anticipated 2025 Puerto Rico World Cup, a 4-Star World Wave Tour event, delivering 60% points toward the overall world rankings. Posted on 1 Mar
Musto Flexlite Dynamic for foilers & kiteboarders
New innovations set to improve performance on the water Musto launched the new Flexlite Dynamic range designed specifically for foilers and kiteboarders at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show, the latest iteration of the Flexlite Collection. Posted on 25 Feb
Switch One DesignMaritimo 2023 S-Series FOOTERHyde Sails 2024 - One Design