Triumph and disappointment at Hookipa

05/11/2023

The season's epilogue, the Maui Strong Aloha Classic offered a thrilling final day on Friday, with Marcilio Browne achieving the feat of winning 2 consecutive world wave titles. However, Ricardo Campello's cruel failure leaves a bitter taste in the mouth, as does this final moment of the year, with little or no communication...
On Friday, the 5th and final day of the Maui Strong Aloha Classic, the competition is at its peak, with the men's world wave title within reach and the last two places on the women's overall podium up for grabs.

All eyes are on the performances of Ricardo Campello and Marc Paré from the start of the day. The crucial question is whether either of them can deny Marcilio Browne the world title. Campello and Paré kept their hopes alive in their 4th round heat, but Maui locals Morgan Noireaux and Kai Lenny ended up blocking the Brazilian and Spaniard's path. Campello narrowly missed out on a place in the next round and ended the season as runner-up to the world champion, seeing a title that had narrowly eluded him slip from his grasp.
Meanwhile, Marcilio Browne's nervous wait came to a successful end. The Brazilian brilliantly defended his 2022 world crown, securing his 2nd consecutive world title in waves and 3rd overall in the discipline. The competition for podium places was not to be outdone, with Browne taking a well-deserved place by finishing 3rd in this Aloha Classic in a tough heat against Camille Juban. Due to a lack of time and wind, the competition came to an end for the men. Antoine Martin claimed his 2nd victory at the Aloha Classic, following his triumph in 2019. His victory enabled him to overtake Marc Paré for the final place on the annual podium.

In the women's event, Sarah Hauser made an impressive comeback, finishing in 3rd place after winning 6 consecutive heats. Unfortunately, as the double elimination was not completed, she did not have the opportunity to show her full potential, but she ended the season as runner-up to Sarah-Quita Offringa. Coraline Foveau, second of this Aloha Classic, also taking 3rd place in the annual general ranking ahead of Maria Andrés.
The Maui Strong Aloha Classic 2023 leaves behind some memorable moments, but also raises many questions after a 1st year, known as the test year, of the PWA IWT Unified Wave Tour. A new circuit that saw the union of the PWA World Tour and the International Wave Tour at the start of the year, the conclusion leaves us hungry for more, with sporting interests, race rules and communication standards yet to be truly 'unified'...