The Rookie of the Year title has long been considered one of the most prestigious accolades to be awarded to aspiring windsurfers hoping to make their name on the professional windsurfing circuit. In the past years, the winners have included the likes of Philip Koster (Starboard / NeilPryde / Dakine), Alice Arutkin (Starboard / North) and Kai Lenny (Naish / Naish).

Joining this distinguished list of athletes, it?s with great pleasure that we announce the 2010 Rookies of the Year as Jamie Hancock (Tabou / Vandal) and Xenia Kessler (JP / MauiSails).

Hailing from the UK, Hancock blazed his way to 18th position overall in the wave rankings, and even secured a place in the notoriously elite lineup of the Cabo Verde World Cup. Both impressive feats for a tour rookie. Similarly, Denmark?s Kessler proved herself to be a force to be reckoned with after finishing 5th overall in the highly competitive women?s freestyle discipline.

Following the announcement of their awards, we caught up with both sailors to get the low down on their first seasons on tour.

PWA:First of all, Jamie, congratulations from all of us here at the PWA; what does winning Rookie of the Year mean to you?

JH: "Thank you!! I am obviously really happy as it is my first year on the PWA world tour. To achieve Rookie of the year is a huge bonus to a great year and really just confirms to me it was the right decision to step up and commit to the world tour."

??PWA:What was your highlight of the 2010 season?

JH: "It would have to be finishing 9th in Klitmoller. The conditions were not very easy and pretty unpredictable. So from a competition aspect, I was really happy to do well there. Also, to finish in the top 10 at an event in my first season was amazing."

PWA:Historically, winners of the PWA?s rookie of the year award have gone on to do big things later in their careers, do you think you will live up to the expectation?

JH: "I hope so!! Really though, I am just enjoying my windsurfing. This is a great achievement but I also know the standard is very high and everyone will be giving everything they have got for 2011. Either way, I will certainly be improving and continue to do my best."

PWA:What are your career ambitions in windsurfing?

JH: "I have always wanted to be a professional windsurfer, that is as far as it got. There is no elaborate master plan, if I am at a contest I will try to win each heat one at a time. Besides the competition aspect, spending time on the water is what means the most to me."

PWA:What are the strongest and weakest aspects of your sailing?

JH: "I grew up sailing starboard tack so I think I am always trying to catch up on port.??"

PWA:What aspects of the tour have you found most challenging?

JH: "Financially it was a bit of a gamble. Investing into the full World Tour for the first time was a massive risk as I had no idea if I would just be making up the numbers. I realised either I do it or I don?t and that I had to start somewhere. At the start of the year I never thought I would have qualified for a place in Cabo Verde. But with good results in Klitmoller and Gran Canaria, I suddenly had to find the cash to attend or I would have wasted a chance to enter such a unique event that is renowned for being hard to get a place. I also wanted to try and maintain a good overall ranking. Basically, at the time the whole year was a huge gamble, but sat here right now I am really glad I did everything I have."

PWA:How will you be preparing for next year?s tour?

JH: "I am at home at the moment and waiting to see what the tour calender is looking like and what my sponsorship will allow. I will hopefully have a better idea in a couple of weeks. I imagine more port tack training will be important."

PWA:How will you be celebrating becoming the 2010 Rookie of the Year?

JH: "In the pub.???"




PWA:Next up, Xenia. Congratulations! What does being recognized as Rookie of the Year mean to you?