HO'OKIPA, MAUI – Die World Windsurf Tour 2026 liefert einige der spannendsten Titelkämpfe seit Jahren, und der Aloha Classic im Ho'okipa Beach Park auf Maui vom 19. bis 30. Oktober wird maßgeblich zur Entscheidung beitragen. Da nach Hawaii nur noch eine Veranstaltung aussteht, könnte ein Sieg für jeden der vier besten Männer oder jede der vier besten Frauen bedeuten, dass sie als Spitzenreiter der Weltrangliste ins Grand Finale in Chile einziehen.
Pro Women: a first-time champion within reach
With 29-time world champion Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins) sidelined by a foot injury, the Pro Women's title is closer to producing a first-time world champion than it has been in years.
Germany's Lina Erpenstein (Severne Windsurfing) leads the rankings, with compatriot Maria Behrens (Duotone Windsurfing / Maui Ultra Fins) second and France's Marine Hunter (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing) third – the same three riders who filled the podium at April's event in Hawaii. Just over 500 points separate them, and the rankings leader will be who can perform under the pressure of a potential world title.
Belgian teenager Sol Degrieck (Severne Windsurfing), 17, sits fourth and has potential to take the lead in the Pro Women's rankings with a big result, while also chasing the Pro Junior title.
Lina Erpenstein: “A world title has always been the dream and still is. Yet the title race is still very open with a lot of contenders, so I don’t even really feel like I’m leading. I feel less pressure than in the past years and feel more relaxed with my sailing and results.”
“Being in contention for a world title wasn’t really something I was expecting at the start of the year, but I’m going to give it my all.” Maria Behrens.
Pro Men: Ho'okipa specialists hunt the champion
Reigning world champion Marc Paré Rico (Simmer Windsurfing) holds first place on the back of outstanding results in the Canary Islands where he recorded a third consecutive event victory in Tenerife, while finishing in a very close second in Gran Canaria. But Ho'okipa favours the riders who know it best, and two of the men sitting right behind him boast some of the strongest credentials when it comes to Ho’okipa..
Marcilio Browne and Bernd Roediger (Flikka), third and fourth, are both multiple Aloha Classic winners and among the best riders in Hawaiian conditions. For Roediger, who won the Maui Pro in April, this may be his first genuine shot at a world title, and another win in Maui would bring a big haul of points. Philip Köster (Severne Windsurfing), currently second, could improve his current points haul with a seventh place or better result here.
“For me, I’ve never had more fun on tour. I haven’t done any events where I’ve felt I’m going to them just for points. To come out of that having this current ranking, it feels pretty good. It feels how it should feel. To follow your passion and get some results doing that is a pretty cool feeling. Who knows what will happen in the title race, but what got me to this point is just having fun with it.” Bernd Roediger
However, the title contenders won’t have it easy, with Ho’okipa locals like Kai Lenny and Morgan Noireaux (JP / NeilPryde) ready to play spoiler. Noireaux, who is the reigning event champion, will have his sights set on becoming the most successful Aloha Classic sailor ever by winning a fifth crown to move clear of Robby Naish (Naish Windsurfing), Angela Cochran and Sarah-Quita Offringa - all of whom currently have four Aloha’s.
Pro Juniors: wide open in both divisions
The Pro Junior Boys' race is just as open. Australia's Jake Ghiretti (Severne Windsurfing), 19, the 2025 Pro Junior Boys World Wave Champion, leads the rankings, with Gregory Stathopoulos and Leon Maethner (Duotone Windsurfing) close behind and each chasing a second win of the season. Japan's Ry Noguchi (Starboard / Severne Sails) could also jump into first place with a win at the Aloha Classic.
In the Pro Junior Girls, Sol Degrieck (17, Belgium) and Australia's Sarah Kenyon, 18, (Severne Windsurfing) resume their season-long duel for the world title.
Current World Rankings
Pro Men – top four
1st Marc Paré (ESP | Simmer Windsurfing)
2nd Philip Köster (GER | Severne Windsurfing)
3rd Marcilio Browne (BRA)
4th Bernd Roediger (HI | Flikka)
Pro Women – top four
1st Lina Erpenstein (GER | Severne Windsurfing)
2nd Maria Behrens (GER | Duotone Windsurfing / Maui Ultra Fins)
3rd Marine Hunter (FRA)
4th Sol Degrieck (BEL | Severne Windsurfing)