The first racing event of the 2007 PWA World Tour went off this week with six solid rounds of action in challenging conditions, making for a great test of the riders skills and equipment.

MauiSails’ team rider, Kevin Pritchard US-3, generally showed the fleet his back to take the number one spot on this year’s Race discipline ranking list. Micah Buzianis USA-34 and Antoine Albeau F-192 finished second and third respectively.

Kevin said, "I’m really happy to win this event. It’s a great start to the year, and shows how much we have been working in the right direction with my equipment. My Starboard 122 was working really good, and the TR-3s really put on a good show with some amazing acceleration. I noticed a big difference in my performance from last year in all points of my sailing.

I had a lot better speed this year going down the first reach, as well as some amazing power out of the turns. The TR-3 feels so good in your hands and allows you to focus on the water conditions and the racing rather than thinking about how to control your sail.

I’m very stoked to win. It feels amazing to have all the hard work come together and to be able to come away with a victory! Thanks to all my sponsors: Starboard, MauiSails, 360 Board Gear, Camaro, Dakine, Debiochet, and Islandstylevacations.com for supporting me!".

Kevin will now be returning to Hawaii to train for his next event and continue his effort to be the number one ranked sailor in the race and wave disciplines of the PWA.

The next stop on the PWA World Tour will be in Portugal, where last year Pritchard won the first wave event of the season.