VICTOR AND ALEXIA CLAIM OVERALL PODIUM PLACES

VICTOR FERNANDEZ

Duotone: ⁠ Vice-World Champion.... happy or shame that you didn't win?

Victor: I'm really happy. Of course, I would have liked to make it to the final—I was only one heat away, and it was really close.

It's been a great year, and I'm very satisfied with getting 2nd place. I'm also happy for Brawzinho. I think we both were very consistent, so it came down to the final event and even the final day.

Duotone: What was the Aloha Classic like this year?

Victor: Conditions were pretty tough. The waves were fun with some big sets, but the wind was a bit crazy—stormy, offshore, and super gusty. I had to switch between 4.5 to 5.3, so every heat felt different. You had to get a bit lucky with the sail and board choice. Sometimes, I couldn’t turn at the top because I was overpowered, and other times, there was no wind on the inside to get out. I missed the last semi-final because I got stuck on the inside in the last 5 minutes. That’s how it is in Hookipa; the conditions change every day.

Duotone: You gained 2nd place on the overall ranking this year, what gear to you use to get there?

Victor: Finishing 2nd this year feels great, especially after finishing 18th last year, which wasn’t my best year. During the Aloha Classic I used 4.5, 4.7, 5.0, and 5.3 SUPER HERO D/LAB sails, and 87 and 95-liter boards (Grip 3 / Grip 4) in this competition. I was really happy with the gear; it felt amazing and gave me confidence. Going to Ho'okipa two weeks early to practice helped me feel more prepared and consistent on the waves.

Duotone: Anything else you want to say?

Victor: Thanks to my sponsors for all the support. It’s been a great year with events in Japan, Chile, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Sylt, and Maui. We had an amazing tour. I got many podiums: 3x3rd, a 2nd place and ended up 7th in Maui, which makes me feel really stoked. Thanks to everyone for supporting me, especially my team at Duotone!

ALEXIA KIEFER QUINTANA

Duotone: Before 2024, you hadn't been on the podium, but this year, you've reached the podium at every competition you've entered. Did you anticipate this breakthrough?

Alexia: ⁠I didn't expect it at all. At the beginning of this year I decided to focus and do the full tour for the first time, starting in Chile, a portack waveriding spot, which I like the most. I finished in second position, which was my first overall podium in my life. After this competition I knew that if I trained and believed in myself I would be able to do it again, and so I did. It has definitely been an incredible year and I'm ready for more and better next year.

Duotone: ⁠⁠What was your highlight of 2024?

Alexia: ⁠⁠My first podium, Chile, definitely felt amazing. I loved this place and I can't wait to go back next year. And my last podium of this year in Sylt was also incredible. The last time I went to Sylt was in 2019. After experiencing the tough conditions there I decided not to go back for a while. Five years later i got back. A week before I arrived I was a bit scared, especially after seeing the forecast which predicted very strong winds and very big waves, but it definitely ended up being an achievement. This has helped me to lose my fear of this spot. It is also incredible to see the number of spectators on the seashore cheering us on.

Duotone: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠What was your most used gear ?

Alexia: ⁠⁠The gear i used the most was probably my 3.4 SUPER_HERO and my 68l GRIP SLS 4 training in Pozo throughout the year. However, I have used all sizes of sails and boards. In the competition in Pozo Izquierdo I needed my 3.0 SUPER_HERO due to the strong wind gusts and in Chile or Sylt my 4.5 SUPER_HERO

Duotone: ⁠⁠No Aloha classic for you this year, but what are your future plans?

Alexia: ⁠⁠Next year, I plan to do the full Tour again and give my best to get as many podiums as possible. I will train as much as possible this winter and prepare well for the upcoming competitions, with the goal of becoming world champion in the next few years. Unfortunately, the Aloha Classic coincides every year with my university's exam period, and it is also the most expensive and farthest event for me on the whole tour. I am really looking forward to attending, especially after having seen the competition live this year, and I hope to be able to go as soon as possible.

Duotone: ⁠⁠Anything else you want to say?

Alexia: ⁠⁠ ⁠I would like to thank Duotone first of all for supporting and believing in me and my brother since we were little. Without them, getting to this point would have been very complicated. I would also like to thank my family and friends for all the support they have given me this year. They are a great motivation for me. In the coming months I will prepare for the next season, which I intend to start stronger than ever.