Congrats to Thomas Traversa..... This interview says it all- I know that feeling, you can't describe it! Then you just want more of it......

"PWA: World champion for the first time ever - how does that feel?

TT: For the time being I’m just happy, and also at the same time relieved that it is over. I’m sooo happy that I was able to keep showing my best sailing at every event this year. Pozo wasn’t so good for me, but every other event I performed well - always reaching the final. I think the difference this year was that I never gave up. I believed that I could go one heat further, rather than just being happy with making the top five. Finishing second here at the Aloha Classic is like a dream for me. Right now, I think that feels even better than the title, but for sure once I’ve had some time to let it settle in I will be even happier about winning.”

PWA: How were the conditions in the final for you? And what kit setup were on?

TT: “The conditions were really good. It was a bit tricky, with the wave sometimes closing out, but at the same time with the really offshore wind it meant sometimes it would just wall up into a really long wall - over head to logo in the biggest sets. I think this is the perfect size because this is the size where you can perform all the tricks, big aerials and big turns. I think it was basically the perfect conditions for a final. There was no luck involved because it wasn’t either massive or tiny.”

“Kit wise I was on my 4.2m GA Sails IQ, together with my 68l wave board, which is actually the same that I use everywhere else. “

PWA: How will you be celebrating?

TT: “I will celebrate this week with all my friends that are here - I have to and I want to - and then in a weeks time I’ll fly back home to France to celebrate with my girlfriend, friends and family. Then I’m just going to enjoy the winter at home, we’re expecting a baby in February, so it’s an exciting time and life is pretty good right now. I’m loving life.”

Over the top Air

Over the top Air

Hitting IT hard

Hitting IT hard

Clear for Take OFF

Clear for Take OFF