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MAAIKE HUVERMANN: CRACKING THE CODE!

Maaike Huvermann was one step away from being world champion in freestyle this year in Fuerteventura after defeating Sarah Quita in the first final of the double elimination. Unfortunately for Maaike, Sarah Quita came back fighting and stole the victory by a narrow margin in the super final. We caught up with Maaike to find out how she went through this emotional rollercoaster and still found the positives to take from the agonizing defeat!

Photos: PWA / Inna Bru, Tom Brendt.

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WINDSURF:  How did you feel coming into this event?

MH: “I felt really ready and super excited. I’ve been training a lot at home lately, in the gym as well as on the water. We had a really great May, June and July, so yeah, I felt ready. My moves were going well. I knew what I wanted to do and also felt physically and mentally very prepared for it.”

WINDSURF: And did you have a few extra tricks up your sleeve that you knew could get you closer to Sarah-Quita?

MH: “Yes, I did. I’ve been really working on the Spock Culo but couldn’t really get it consistent. And then I figured out the week before coming here that I could land Spock Konos pretty consistently. So, I really trained them quite a bit while I was here in Fuerte. I came a week earlier to train and I knew that would help. I’ve also been trying to get my Skopu, burners, and Culos a bit more consistent because my starboard tack is pretty good, but my port tack is lacking. So, I knew being consistent with the Skopus and Burners would probably be super helpful.”

WINDSURF: Did you have a plan of attack how you could beat Sarah Quita?

MH: “I did have a plan. When I came here, I had been training the same heat over and over for the whole week. I would just go out and sail practice heats over and over and try to perfect my routine. I was hoping that by doing them as preparation, they’d become really consistent and be enough to beat her. But it wasn’t!”

WINDSURF:  How did it feel when you beat her in the double elimination?

MH: “It felt great. As I was coming in, I couldn’t really see anything…no one was moving until I got really close. Then I saw some media people walking towards me, which made me think maybe I had it. And then the speaker announced it, and it was great. I was super stoked. I couldn’t quite believe it, to be honest. But then I also had to reset very quickly because obviously the super final was next.”

WINDSURF: During the finals, what was going through your mind?

MH: “Honestly, not so much. I think I’m pretty calm when I’m sailing. People describe it as a flow…like you’re fully focused on what you’re doing. I’m not really thinking much, just trying to settle myself down. That really helps me not feel nervous. I would say I’m focused but not overthinking, because I’ve done that before and it doesn’t help either.”

WINDSURF: You came very close but were just a few points behind. How disappointing was that?

MH: “It felt quite disappointing. It took me a second to get over it. It feels a bit mixed…part of me is super stoked that I won once, because now I know it’s possible and I know how close I am. At the same time, I was hungry for more and it’s not what I came here for this year. So yeah, I’m a bit disappointed, I think still. But as the days have gone by, I think the happiness has overtaken that. I’m happier now more than disappointed. The day of the double elimination, I was more disappointed than happy, but I can see the good points now and I’m motivated to train for next year. I know that what I’ve been doing is really positive, and I also know what I need to do to get even closer.”

WINDSURF: Are you and Sarah good friends off the water, or is there a rivalry creeping in?

MH: “I wouldn’t say there’s a rivalry creeping in. I think it’s just the same as it was before. All the women are super nice and want the best for each other, but at the same time we want to win, when we’re on the water. That goes for Sarah and for me. I’m happy for Sarah…what she’s doing is insane. It’s also very cool to watch, and I’m sure she would have been happy for me if I had won.”

WINDSURF: What gear were you using?

MH: “I was riding the Severne, Psycho 86. I really like it. It’s a bit smaller compared to the boards we had a few years ago, and it’s been really helping me deal with the choppy conditions here. I was mainly on the Severne Freak 4.0m, sometimes on the 3.6m. The wind become quite patchy, so I tried to opt for a slightly bigger sail to make sure I had power the whole time. And I was on a Maui Ultra Fins 21 cm, which is a bit bigger than usual, but I prefer it here in the choppier conditions to have a bit more grip and control. That fin is amazing!”