World titles on the line as Aloha Classic decides who leads into Chile - World Windsurf Tour
by World Windsurf Tour 19 Oct 10:49 BST
19–30 October 2026
Marc Pare leading the overall men's world ranking coming into the Aloha Classic © Fish Bowl Diaries
Germany's Lina Erpenstein leads the rankings, with compatriot Maria Behrens second and France's Marine Hunter 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, 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 U21 title.
"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." Lina Erpenstein
"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 (Spain) holds first place on the back of outstanding results at his Canary Islands home break, with Philip Koster (Germany) hot on his heels in second overall. But Ho'okipa favours the riders who know it best, and two of the men sitting right behind them have some of the strongest credentials at the break.
"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 ready to play spoiler.
Pro Juniors: wide open in both divisions
The Pro Junior Boys' race is just as open. Australia's Jake Ghiretti, 19, the 2025 Pro Junior Boys World Wave Champion, leads the rankings, with Gregory Stathopoulos (Greece) and Leon Maethner (Germany) close behind and each chasing a second win of the season. Japan's Ry Noguchi could also jump to first place with a win at the Aloha Classic.
In the Pro Junior Girls, Sol Degrieck (17, Belgium) and Australia's Sarah Kenyon (18) resume their season-long duel for the world title.
Current world rankings
Pro Men - top four
1. Marc Paré Rico - Spain - 24,500
2. Philip Köster - Germany - 23,300
3. Marcilio Browne - Brazil - 19,660
4. Bernd Roediger - USA - 18,500
Pro Women - top four
1. Lina Erpenstein - Germany - 21,755
2. Maria Behrens - Germany - 20,320
3. Marine Hunter - France - 20,240
4. Sol Degrieck - Belgium - 29,255
Event details
Event: Aloha Classic - World Windsurf Tour
Venue: Ho'okipa Beach Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Dates: 19-30 October 2026
Competition hours: 11am-5pm (Hawaii time), subject to wind and wave conditions14-29
Spectators: Free entry
Watch live: worldwindsurftour.com
Next event: Grand Final, Chile - 14-29 November, 2026