Maria_Maui

JENNA SPEED CAMPEÃ MUNDIAL

The spring event in Maui made its return to the calendar last year as a 4-star competition and has now been upgraded to a 5-star event for 2026. Despite lighter winds than typically expected during the spring season, the event still delivered great conditions with clean and enjoyable waves. While Lisa Wermeister (5th), Liam Dunkerbeck (7th), Victor Fernandez (9th), and Svenja Chudoba (9th) all secured strong top-10 finishes, we caught up with Maria Behrens and Leon Maethner, who both celebrated podium results.

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Duotone: What a result in Maui! Goal achieved?

Maria: 'yes, absolutely! I’m really happy with how everything came together in the Quatro Maui Pro. Coming into the event, my goal was to trust my training, push my level in every heat and enjoy every moment to the fullest! As a girl living in northern Germany it makes me really proud to have come so far in Maui Pacific conditions and it shows me that I have achieved all those goals.

Finishing second at the first World Cup of the 2026 season makes me really happy and gives me even more motivation and excitement for the rest of the season.'

Duotone: How did you enjoy the conditions? spring on Maui is known for stronger winds, but thats not really what you got?

Maria: 'Yeah, it was definitely a bit unusual for Maui. Before the event, we actually had very little wind and a lot of rain, so I didn’t get much time on the water - I think I only went windsurfing about five times and I was only using my Super Hero D/LAB 4.2 and 4.5. That’s not really what you expect coming here 2 weeks before the event. Fortunately during the 3 day competition window, Ho’okipa delivered very nice conditions, from mast high waves on day one to logo high waves on day two, which I enjoyed the most. The waves were opening up for 3 to 4 turns and I think I have never felt that much fun and flow in a competition before! That day everyone was sailing really well and the level in the women’s fleet was very high. It’s amazing to be part of such a cool women’s windsurfing community!'

Duotone: What is coming up next?
Maria: 'Next up is the World Cup in Gran Canaria in July, which I’m really excited about. It actually starts on my birthday, so that makes it extra special for me XD.

Gran Canaria is known for its strong winds and challenging conditions, so it’s going to be a very different setup compared to Maui. I’m looking forward to spending more time on the water beforehand, preparing properly, and pushing my level even further. Hopefully, I can carry this momentum into the next event and fight for another top result!'

Duotone: Aloha classic win at the end of the year?Maria: 'Winning the Aloha Classic would mean a lot to me. It’s such an iconic event in our sport, especially here on Maui, and it has so much history behind it.

Of course, it’s a big goal, but I try not to only focus on the result itself. For me, it’s also about performing at my best, heat by heat, and enjoying the moment on the water. If I can put everything together like this time, then sure I’ll have a chance to fight for the win again!!!'

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»For me, it’s also about performing at my best, heat by heat, and enjoying the moment on the water.«

— Maria Behrens
Leon_Maui

Jovens talentos em ascensão!

Também gostaríamos de fazer uma menção especial a Isabelle Westerveld, de apenas 12 anos de idade, que participou do primeiro dia do evento depois de quebrar seu recorde pessoal várias vezes. Com algumas orientações do organizador do evento, Principe Baldini,{Ela está cada vez mais confiante na pista de velocidade e mostra claramente sinais de um futuro brilhante pela frente!

Duotone: What else is on your calendar this year?
Leon: ' Looking ahead, I’m really excited about the upcoming PWA/WWT World Cups in the Canary Islands. I’ll be competing in Pozo and Tenerife this summer, which fits perfectly with my school holidays. I also hope that I will be able to attend the Youth World Cup in Denmark, as well as the Aloha Classic in the autumn of course.

But therefore I’ll need to check my upcoming schedule for my examens. After the summer, I enter my final year of school with exams that will count towards my overall results. Although my school is very supportive of sport—and I’m part of a sports class that allows us to attend competitions during term time, it still will be hard to miss time in school during my final year and to retake exams. So I have to see.'

Duotone: Is the Junior Pro title the goal for this year?
Leon: ' For now I’m very happy with my result here on Maui.

My goal is to reach the podium overall this year. But that’s going to be tough!'

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