The first stop of the unified PWA and IWT 2024 Tour took place at Omaezaki, Japan between the 19th and the 25th of February. We could see challenging conditions and the top wave riders of the world competing for the first World Cup Title of the year. In addition, many rising stars from the local riders were extremely motivated to represent Japan in such an international event. Our Starboard rider and a local, Motoko Sato claimed first place in the Women’s fleet at the first World Cup of the season.  Our Dream Team rider Liam Dunkerbeck took the win after a technically and condition-wise difficult final in the Pro Junior Boy’s fleet. The rising young gun Ryu Noguchi impressed the crowd by reaching the semi-final in the Pro Men’s fleet. In the end, he finished in third place in the Pro Junior Boy’s fleet.

Motoko Sato wins the first World Cup of the season 2024!

 

Motoko Sato, the local favorite who won the World Cup in Japan in 2023, did it again in the Pro Women’s fleet. She impressed with strong moves on the waves, scoring the highest points. She admitted, “ Being a local here, people think I’m used to these conditions, but I’m not really used to these onshore conditions at all. I’m so glad to win.” Motoko was using the 2024 Starboard Ultra.

 

 

Liam finished on top of the Pro Junior Boy’s fleet!

 

Our Dream rider Liam Dunkerbeck competed in the Omaezaki World Cup in Japan for the first time. After winning the Junior Wave World Title in 2023, Liam started his season strong. He had tough battles in difficult conditions, however, he finished first in the Pro Junior Boy’s Fleet. He had a very tough and close final and he was very grateful to win. Liam about his final heat: “It was probably one of the most difficult heats of my life. It was freezing cold, glassy on the inside and really windy on the outside. I was lucky I got that big one in the middle of the heat.”