Strong wind graces day 8 of the ho’okipa kite surf pro maui

The Ho’okipa Kite Surf Pro saw strong side-offshore winds and consistent head high surf today on day 8 of the 10-day holding period. Men’s and women’s round 1 was completed as well as 7 heats of men’s round 2.

In a 10AM rider’s meeting, contest directors officially announced the implementation of the KSP’s alternate “short dingle elimination” ladder. Used for the first time in a KSP competition today, the short dingle elimination was originally designed in conjunction with the riders to reduce competition time to ensure an event result when conditions do not permit the use of the standard double consolidation ladder.

Competition kicked off in the early afternoon with the last remaining heat of men’s round 1, pitting local Maui boy and current KSP World Championship Tour points leader Patri Mclaughlin (HI, North) against Kevin “Top Hat” Senn (HI) and Jakop Appel (DEN). With his world title hopes on the line, Mclaughlin prevailed in a nerve-racking, but relatively low scoring heat.

Women’s round 1 saw some hotly contested battles, but no major upsets in the world title race. Local wildcard Moona Whyte (HI, Cabrinha) continued to impress with the highest heat score total of the women’s competition thus far, a 14.17. Other riders advancing from women’s round 1 included Ninja Bichler (GER, North), Kirsty Jones (GBR, North) and Jalou Langeree (NED, Naish).

In round 2 of the men, reigning KSP World Champion Airton Cozzolino later (ITA, North) nailed the highest heat score of the day with a 15.83 two-wave combined total. Male riders advancing out of round 2 included world number 3 Sebastain Ribeiro (BRA), (CPV, F-One) as well as Guilly Brandao (BRA), Stephan De Figueiredo (BRA), Keahi De Aboitiz (AUS, Cabrinha) and Filippe Ferreira (BRA, F-One). Competition was called off for the day falling short of just one heat of men’s round 2.

REMAINING HO’OKIPA KITE SURF PRO MEN’S ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 8: Patri Mclaughlin (HI, North), Luke McGillewie (RSA, RRD)

HO’OKIPA KITE SURF PRO WOMEN’S ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Ninja Bichler (GER, North), Milla Ferreira (BRA, F-One)
Heat 2: Moona Whyte (HI, Cabrinha), Adriana Harlan (BRA)
Heat 3: Kirsty Jones (GBR, North), Kari Schibevaag (NOR, Ozone)
Heat 4: Jalou Langeree (NED, Naish), Ines Correia (POR, RRD)