why kevin pritchard quit the tour

1-1-11 saw the sport reach another generational milestone. It seems like yesterday since a fresh-faced Californian-living-on-Maui made his debut on the Pro Tour back in '96. Now aged 35, Pritchard's announced his retirement from the PWA scene after bagging 2 Wave World Titles, and an Overall Championship Trophy. Mid 30s is hardly over-the-hill in racing terms, but the new decade offered KP opportunities and new sponsors to help him pursue some new goals. So what brought things to a head and how's he been adjusting? And more importantly, what can we expect to see from him now?
Brian McDowell investigates

So it's been a month or so and you've adjusted to the new direction? How's it all panning-out?

Well the most positive thing so far is to have the sails in my hands out on the water. It's been a little bit of an adjustment, not in my sailing style, but in the rigging of the sails, and knowing what to look for and how to set 'em up and so on. I've really enjoyed working with David on the development and it's been fun to start brainstorming with him and work on some new features to put on the product.

Shot John Carter/PWA