PWA Fuerte 2011

2011 PWA Fuerteventura World Cup – Event Summary: Ten days of intense competition in stunning Sotavento saw Steven Van Broeckhoven and Sarah-Quita Offringa emerge victorious as the 2011 world freestyle champions and Antoine Albeau claim his second event of the year.

The world’s finest freestyle and slalom sailors were treated to ten days of outstanding competition conditions in Fuerteventura for the twenty-sixth anniversary of the Rene Egli PWA Fuerteventura Grand Slam.

Thousands of spectators were spoilt by mind-blowing manoeuvres from the freestyle fleet, and edge of your seat racing from the men’s slalom fleet as they fought for critical mid-season points and a taste of the €75,000 prize purse.

Steven Van Broeckhoven

Men’s Freestyle

The freestylers kicked of the event with their sixth competition on the 2011 world tour, where they were provided with five days of consistent afternoon wind, allowing them to plough through a single and a double elimination. An astonishing competition saw the sailors upstage each other with each heat, pulling off their most spectacular aerial and sliding maneuvers to win the judges affections.

Youp Schmit (JP / NeilPryde / Dakine) was the stand-out sailor of the single elimination, working through the fleet with his repertoire of incredible moves to defeat new boy to the tour Tony Mottus (JP / NeilPryde), super technical Nicolas Akgazciyan (Starboard / Gun) and the double move master, Davy Scheffers (Tabou / Gaastra) to earn him a position in the top eight.

The top seeded sailors quickly advanced through their opening heats and were eager to put on a show and earn a position in the top eight; the sailors decided it was time to unleash their most daring maneuvers. Van Broeckhoven burst into a gravity defying culo to secure his victory over Yegor Popretinskiy (JP / NeilPryde / MFC). Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra) wowed the crowds with a super clean culo-spock and a double spock in the choppiest patch of water, and Jose Estredo (Fanatic /North) launched into a perfect air chachoo to defeat Leo Ray (Naish / Naish / MFC).

Van Broeckhoven and Estredo slayed their respective opponents all the way to the final, where they went head to head to decide who would gain the early competition advantage.

Men’s Final

Both parties entered the men’s final with all guns blazing; Van Broeckhoven took the lead landing a colossal shaka-flaka and a planing burner. Estredo was quick to fight back landing a bolt upright spock-culo and future diablo. The pair was neck and neck until the closing seconds of the heat when Estredo separated the score sheets with a skopu-puneta. Van Broeckhoven was forced to attempt a double burner, but he was unable to complete it. Estredo was announced the victor at the prize giving on the beach.

Double Elimination

Spread over three days the double elimination provided the sailors with the opportunity to cover up any mistakes made early on in the competition and to rise their way up the results ladder.

The standout sailors from the double elimination and advancing through two heats each were, Tilo Eber (JP / NeilPryde), Edvan De Souza Pedro (RRD / Simmer), Chambers, Julien Mas (Patrik / Hot Sails), Max Rowe (Fanatic / North), Nicola Spadea (Starboard / Gun), and Kalk. However the might of the sailors in the third round quickly put a stop to their rampage.

Tonky Frans (Tabou / Gaastra) took the double elimination by storm and raised his result all the way up to fifth place, defeating Mouro Lemos, Phil Soltysiak (Starboard / Dakine), Anthony Ruenes (Tabou / Simmer), Bjorn Saragoza (Starboard / Hot Sails) and his brother, Taty Frans.

The real action from the double elimination arose from the finals, where fired up Van Broeckhoven faced the four times world champion Estredo.

Men’s Final

Having defended his second place, and earned a position in the final Van Broeckhoven was fired up when he faced Estredo. Estredo sailed a perfect heat landing all of his most daring moves, and filled his score sheet in record time. However Van Broeckhoven timed his moves to perfection nailing a monster culo and massive konos on both tacks in a desperate bid to win the heat.

Van Broeckhoven had done enough and had earned the right to challenge Estredo one more time for the event title in the super-final.

Men’s Super-final

The crowds on the beach fell silent as the sailors lined up and waited for the green flag to be raised. Estredo was first to move landing a clean spock-culo in front of the judges. Van Broeckhoven fought back with a dry ponch and a colossal shaka-flaka. A mind-blowing nine minutes of action flew by as the world’s best freestylers performed every move possible to impress the judges.

Fuelled by adrenaline the sailors ran up the beach to hear the results announced. Van Broeckhoven was awarded the victory and the event title with a 3-2 decision from the judges.

Van Broeckhoven has won three events out of six events on the world freestyle tour and earned himself the title of 2011 world freestyle champion. Even if Thode wins in Sylt, and equals Van Broeckhoven on points, Van Broeckhoven will take the win as he has defeated Thode the most times.

Winner’s Quote

Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2 / Gaastra)
“I am super happy, I never thought this was possible. I can’t believe it is happening it hasn’t really set in yet.”

Sarah-Quita Offringa

Women’s Freestyle

Laure Treboux (Fanatic / North) opened up women’s competition on fine form landing a clean set of maneuvers to see her advance through to the semi-finals past new girl to the tour Danielle Lucas (Severne). On the other side of the heat the Venezuelan style queen Yoli De Brendt (Fanatic / North) defeated Mio Anayama (NeilPryde) with an enormous forward loop and her super smooth spocks.

In the second women’s heat Arrianne Aukes (RRD / Simmer / Dakine / AL 360) and Xenia Kessler (JP / NeilPryde) went head to head for the sixth time this season. Kessler looked to be struggling with the choppy conditions allowing Aukes to squeeze ahead and into the semi-finals. Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic) blitzed her way past Svetlana Martynova landing all the big moves.

Heat twenty-three of the women’s single elimination saw Treboux and Offringa dominate their opponents De Brendt and Aukes as they battled it out for their place in the winners’ final.

Women’s Final

With just seven minutes to perform their most impressive stunts, the duo immediately burst into action. Treboux opened the heat with a clean spock 540 and a planing grubby diablo in front of the judges. Eager to take control, Offringa launched into a perfect toad, a switch kono and a smooth funnel. Treboux attempted to fight back with a shove-it spock but Offringa was already too far ahead on the score-sheets.

Double Elimination

Kessler was the star of the women’s double elimination; she performed a vast variety of tricks to work her way into fourth position past, Martynova, and Aukes.

De Brent put a stop to Kessler’s rampage in the double elimination, Kessler fought hard but it wasn’t enough to see her advance and De Brent was on fire landing a mean set of switch trick’s to advance to face Treboux.

Treboux was on fire throughout the heat landing a fully planing grubby under the judges’ noses, De Brent fought back landing a forward loop and a flaka. It came down to the final minutes of the heat when Treboux upped the game landing a one handed clew-first spock and a one handed flaka to secure her place in the final.

Women’s Final

Just nine minutes separated Offringa from claiming her third event crown and her fourth world champion title. Offringa didn’t let the pressure affect her performance and she sailed an inspiring heat landing an incredible set of moves. Treboux upped her game, landing a funnel and a switch kono, but she was unable to match the power and diversity of Offringa’s moves. Offringa was awarded the victory to the cheers of the crowds on the beach after an amazing season where she was unbeaten on the water.

Winners quote

Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic) “It’s my fourth world title and I am really happy, I sailed a great heat landing all my biggest moves. It’s a great way to finish the year. I am really pleased for Laure, Yoli and Xenia they are all sailing really well.”

Antoine Albeau

Men’s Slalom

With the freestyle results secured and the world champions’ crowd, the slalom fleet was released onto Fuerteventura’s testing waters for an incredible ten-race showdown. The slalom sailors were handed every variety of conditions from gentle racing to forty knots of wind mixed with small waves. Antoine Albeau (JP / NeilPryde) emerged victorious by the skin of his teeth, with Cyril Moussilmani (Starboard / North) in close second and Ben Van Der Steen (Starboard / Loft / Mystic) in third place.

Race by Race

Elimination 1- Winners’ Final: Albeau takes advantage

Albeau opened the winners’ final with a perfectly timed start providing him with the advantage from the very beginning. Ludovic Jossin (Loft) and Finian Maynard (RRD) followed in second and third, whilst Bjorn Dunkerbeck (Starboard / Severne / Mystic / DunkerbeckEyewear) was buried amongst the rest of the fleet at the first gybe. By the second mark it was all change and Dunkerbeck’s blistering board speed had allowed him to power his way through to second place. Albeau managed to distance himself away from the rest of the fleet allowing him to focus on the finish line. Dunkerbeck went down on the final gybe however he was back up and running in a split second but by this time he was unable to catch Albeau. Dunkerbeck had to settle for second place, with Van Der Steen hot on his heels in third and Jossin in fourth. Albeau was cheered back to the beach, having sailed the perfect elimination winning first place in every heat.

Elimination 2- Winners’ Final: Albeau secures another

Albeau nailed another perfectly timed start; however Dunkerbeck was hot on his heels. Dunkerbeck opted for an aggressive inside line on the first gybe mark, but it wasn’t enough to make it past the French slalom master. Albeau played Dunkerbeck all the way down the second leg, not letting him gain an inch. Further down the pack Peter Volwater (Fanatic / MauiSails) and Julien Quentel (RRD / NeilPryde) were charging hard following Dunkerbeck’s every move. By the third mark Albeau had distanced himself well ahead of the rest of the fleet, leaving Quentel and Dunkerbeck to fight it out for the podium positions. Quentel managed to blitz his way past Dunkerbeck on the final straight to secure second place.

Elimination 3- Winners’ Final: Cyril’s victory

Without the windsurfing slalom sentinels Dunkerbeck and Albeau present, the door was open for the rest of the fleet to fight for first place. Cyril Moussilmani spotted his opportunity and sprang into action off the start line. Van Der Steen, Volwater and Josh Angulo (Angulo / Gun / Dakine) were close behind fighting for second, third and fourth place. Angulo pushed his gybe too hard at the third mark and went down, allowing the rest of the fleet to rush past and Cedric Bordes (Tabou / Gaastra / Mystic) to slip into fourth place. By the final leg Cyril was well ahead of the rest of the fleet, winning the third elimination and boosting his result up to fifth place.

Elimination 4- Winners’ Final: Albeau aces it

Antoine Albeau continued with his winning streak, claiming his third elimination and increasing his lead on the rest of the fleet. An incredible start saw Albeau hit the start line on the buzzer and gain the advantage from the word go. Cyril Moussilmani, Micah Buzianis (JP / NeilPryde) and Maynard were in pursuit; however they were unable to match Albeau’s board speed over the rough choppy water. At the final mark Albeau was well over fifty meters in front of the fleet allowing him to cruise down the final leg comfortably over the finish line.

Elimination 5- Winners’ Final: Van Der Steen scores.

An exhilarating race saw Van Der Steen claim his first elimination in Fuerteventura. Volwater hit the start-line on form, charging ahead of the rest of the fleet, followed by, Van Der Steen, Albeau and Buzianis. Meanwhile, Bjorn Dunkerbeck suffered at the start and he was caught behind the rest of the fleet unable to pass. At the first mark Albeau lost control of his equipment and went down allowing Van Der Steen, Volwater and Cyril Moussilmani the advantage. Van Der Steen turned on his turbo-chargers for the remainder of the race to gain some ground ahead of the rest of the fleet and take the win. Albeau and Dunkerbeck were fighting to recover their positions, but it was too little too late, as they finished in seventh and fourth place respectively.

Elimination 6- Winners’ Final: Albeau’s back.

Albeau performed the perfect start, leaving the rest of the fleet in his wake on the speed run. Cyril Moussilmani was trying everything to match his board speed but Albeau was too far ahead. Further down the fleet, Bordes and Arnon Dagan (Tabou / Gaastra) had a collision at the first mark, putting them at the back of the pack. Van Der Steen sailed an incredible race working his way past his opponents to finish in third. Albeau cruised over the finish line well aware that he was over one hundred meters ahead of the rest.

Elimination 7- Winners’ Final: Another in the bag for Albeau

The winners’ final kicked off with Albeau nailing another blinding start. Cyril Moussilmani and Van Der Steen weren’t far behind and they were able to catch him by the first mark. Two smooth gybes later and Albeau was still in control of the fleet, Cyril Moussilmani and Van Der Steen were trying everything they could to match their experienced opponent. The crowds witnessed a drag race finish between the three, but there was no catching Albeau with his remarkable straight-line speed. Albeau claimed his second victory of the day and his fifth in the competition. By this time it looked like Albeau was in a commanding position but race director Juan Antonio Aragon called for one final race in the afternoon.

Elimination 8- Winners’ Final: Cyril sneaks ahead

After one false start from Van Der Steen, the winners’ final was up and running with Dunkerbeck leading the fleet around the first and second marks. Hot on his heels the Moussilmani brothers Cyril and Benoit were waiting for their opportunity to overtake. Benoit lost control at the third mark putting him out the race, so it was up to Cyril to make his move. Cyril chose his moment on the final gybe mark undercutting Dunkerbeck and then wasted no time in pulling the power back on, knowing he had an enraged tour leader on his tail. The pair drag raced to the finish, trying pulling out all the stops squeeze out every ounce of extra speed. Cyril took the victory by a board length, claiming his second victory in Fuerteventura and enough points to just push him ahead of Albeau on the overall scores.

Elimination 9- Winners’ Final: Albeau strikes back

With Cyril, Dunkerbeck and Van Der Steen missing in the winners’ final Albeau knew that if he nailed the start the victory would be his. Albeau timed it to perfection and hit the start-line at full speed, leaving the rest of the fleet as he blitzed down the speed section of the course. Buzianis and Ross Williams (Tabou / Gaastra) were in hot pursuit but unable to match the master. Three smooth gybes and Albeau was on the home straight, sailing his way to the top of the overall scores once again.

Elimination 10- Winners’ Final: Dunkerbeck dominates

Having snapped his mast in the first round an extremely nervous Albeau sat watching from the beach as the green flag was raised and the slalom elite charged over the start-line. Angulo opened the race at terminal velocity, putting him in the lead whereas Cyril Moussilmani was further down the fleet. Maynard and Dunkerbeck were rapid down the straight and able to beat Angulo to the mark. Eager to win a final, Dunkerbeck pulled two super smooth gybes, fending off Maynard and Van Der Steen at every turn. Cyril was trying everything he could to make his way to the front, but the top three weren’t making any mistakes. Dunkerbeck claimed the final with Cyril coming in fourth, much to the relief of Albeau on the beach.

Winners’ Quote

Antoine Albeau (JP / NeilPryde)
“I had a great week, I won a lot of races but I also had a few poor results. I made a few mistakes and catapulted in the semi-final so I missed out on two winners’ finals. I feel like I sailed really well in both the light and the strong winds. At the end I broke a mast and I couldn’t do anything. It was a really tense finish having to watch the final, but I was the most consistent sailor and I am really happy with the result.”

Next Stop

Having battled it out in five events around the world, the slalom fleet still had everything to fight for in the next two competitions. Dunkerbeck currently leads the fleet with three event wins. Albeau sits just behind him on the ranking ladder with two of his own win’s, and just behind the sentinels of windsurfing, Cyril Moussilmani and Van Der Steen are in easy reach of causing some upsets at the top. Who will claim the 2011 slalom champion title is anyone’s guess so make sure you head over to www.pwaworldtour.com for the final events on the calendar. The next stop will be the 2011 Pegasus Airlines PWA World Cup taking place on the 8^th-13^th August in Alacati, Turkey.

The 2011 Fuerteventura Men’s Freestyle Results
1^st Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2 / Gaastra)
2^nd Jose Estredo (Fanatic / North)
3^rd Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra)
4^th Tonky Frans (Tabou / Gaastra)
5^th Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins)
6^th Bjorn Saragoza (Starboard / Hot Sails)
7^th Davy Scheffers (Tabou / Gaastra)
7^th Anthony Ruenes (Tabou / Simmer)

The 2011 Fuerteventura Women’s Freestyle Results
1^st Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic)
2^nd Laure Treboux (Fanatic / North)
3^rd Yoli De Brent (Fanatic / North)
4^th Xenia Kessler (JP / NeilPryde)
5^th Arrianne Aukes (RRD / Simmer / Dakine / AL360)
6^th Mio Anayama (NeilPryde)
7^th Svetlana Martynova
7^th Danielle Lucas (Severne)

The Fuerteventura Grand Slam Men’s Slalom Results
1^st Antoine Albeau (JP / NeilPryde)
2^nd Cyril Moussilmani (Starboard / North)
3^rd Ben Van Der Steen (Starboard / Loft / Mystic)
4^th Bjorn Dunkerbeck (Starboard / Severne / Mystic / DunkerbeckEyewear)
5^th Finian Maynard (RRD)
6^th Micah Buzianis (JP / NeilPryde)
7^th Sylvain Moussilmani (Tabou / Simmer)
8^th Peter Volwater (Fanatic / MauiSails)
9^th Benoit Moussilmani (Tabou / Simmer)
10^th Ross Williams (Tabou / Gaastra)

The 2011 Men’s Freestyle Overall results (After 6 events)
1^st Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2 / Gaastra)
2^nd Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra)
3^rd Jose Estredo (Fanatic / North)
4^th Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins)
5^th Davy Scheffers (Tabou / Gaastra)
6^th Tonky Frans (Tabou / Gaastra)
7^th Anthony Ruenes (Tabou / Simmer)
8^th Dieter Van der Eyken (Starboard / Severne)
9^th Philip Soltysiak (Starboard / Dakine)
10^th Bjorn Saragoza (Starboard / Hot Sails)

The 2011 Women’s Freestyle Overall results (After 3 events)
1^st Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic)
2^nd Laure Treboux (Fanatic / North)
3^rd Yoli De Brendt (Fanatic / North)
4^th Xenia Kessler (JP / NeilPryde)
5^th Arrianne Aukes (RRD / Simmer / Dakine / AL360)
6^th Mio Anayama (NeilPryde)

The 2011 Men’s Overall Slalom Results (After 5 events)
1^st Bjorn Dunkerbeck (Starboard / Severne / Mystic / DunkerbeckEyewear)
2^nd Antoine Albeau (JP / NeilPryde)
3^rd Ben Van Der Steen (Starboard / Loft / Mystic)
4^th Cyril Moussilmani (Starboard / North)
5^th Finian Maynard (RRD)
6^th Peter Volwater (Fanatic / MauiSails)
7^th Micah Buzianis (JP / NeilPryde)
8^th Julien Quentel (RRD / NeilPryde)
9^th Steven Allen (Starboard / Severne)
10^th Josh Angulo (Angulo / Gun / Dakine)

Taty Frans

2011 PWA Fuerteventura World Cup – Day five: The fifth and final day for the freestyle fleet in Fuerteventura finished on a high, seeing Taty Frans and Laure Treboux spin their way into first place in the super-session.

The sailors were greeted with winds blowing 20-25 knots for their final day in Fuerteventura. With a result secured, the victors crowned and not enough time to run another single and double elimination, the judges opted to run a crowd pleasing super-session to take advantage of the great conditions.

The Format

The rules were simple for the super-session, the sailors were provided with a small square to perform their moves on the inside close to the crowds. They were allowed three attempts to take it in turns and pull their most radical maneuvers to wow the judges. The two sailors with the highest scoring moves would advance into the final.

Men’s heat one

Tonky Frans (Tabou / Gaastra) opened the men’s heat with an enormous crash on a fast willy skipper attempt. Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra) was first to land an incredible burner into flaka seeing him earn particularly high scores from the judges. Yegor Popretinskiy (JP / NeilPryde / MFC) was close behind landing a super smooth double spock. Next to wow the crowds with a huge crash was Israel’s Yarden Meir (Fanatic / Simmer) with his huge no-handed burner attempt. Tonky closed the heat with a fifty meter willy skipper planing the whole way across the beach. Thode and Popretinskiy were awarded their pass into the final.

Men’s heat two

Bonaire’s Bjorn Saragoza (Starboard / Hot Sails) pulled the first move launching into a high switch kono. Phil Soltysiak (Starboard / Dakine) was close behind landing one of his own. It was then up to Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins) to up the game, landing a perfect spock-culo. Loic Spicher (JP / NeilPryde / MFC) tried to match him with a floaty kono, however Soltysiak snuck through at the end with a really fast burner. Taty and Soltysiak were granted access into the final.

Men’s heat three

The action really stepped up in the third heat, Dieter Van der Eyken (Starboard / Severne) landed a planning kono, Quincy Offringa (Starboard) nailed a culo, and the new world champion Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2 / Gaastra) flew around a no-handed burner, closely followed by Paul Zeper’s (Patrik / Hot Sails / Dakine) monster shaka. The next round of moves saw Van Broeckhoven attempt his double burner and Van der Eyken and Offringa land perfect burners. Van Broeckhoven and Van der Eyken were awarded their places in the final for their efforts.
 Men’s heat four

Four times world champion Jose Estredo (Fanatic / North) spun around a super clean spock-culo to open the heat. Anthony Ruenes (Tabou / Simmer) went for his trademark regular chachoo but crashed hard, closely followed by Brit Andy Chambers (JP / NeilPryde) going for a double spock. Ian Mouro Lemos (JP / NeilPryde) upped the game landing a super technical switch chachoo diablo, and Florian Wegerer pulled an ankle dry one-handed burner. Chambers pulled off his double spock planning out on his third attempt, however it was too late and Estredo and Wegerer were awarded with their entry into the final.

Women’s Heat

Venezuelan Yoli De Brent (Fanatic / North) opened the women’s heat with a technical clew first switch Vulcan, whilst new girl to the tour Danielle Lucas (Severne), and the world champion Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic) both caught the rail and got wet. Mio Anayama (NeilPryde) then upped the game with a fast forward loop. Russian Svetlana Martynova went for her e-slider but unfortunately the wind wasn’t playing ball and she was unable to complete it. De Brent was quick to land one of her own e-sliders putting her in the lead. However Offringa was on the rampage landing a switch chachoo diablo and a one handed funnel with a wave to the judges. Martynova landed her super smooth e-slider on her third attempt and Swiss styler Laure Treboux closed the heat with an incredible one handed grubby diablo.

Men’s Final The judges chose a slightly different format for the final to make the action all the more impressive. The sailors were allowed four attempts to perform their tricks, however it was compulsory the fourth trick was a forward loop.

The eight sailors took to the water excited about the new format. Thode opened with a clean double spock. Popretinskiy followed him, with the most impressive crash in the heat, going down hard trying a chachoo crash. Taty stuck to his opening heats tactics landing a perfect spock-culo. Van Broeckhoven nailed a burner into flaka, followed by the young Belgian Van der Eyken with his burner flaka. Estredo played it safe landing a burner. The second round of moves witnessed Popretinskiy dominate with his super stylish o/h chachoo. Estredo land a spock-culo of his own and Wegerer going big trying a no handed burner. The third round saw Thode land his own spock-culo, Soltysiak landing a fast switch chachoo, Estredo landing his second spock-culo of the heat and Van der Eyken floating around a kono. To close the heat the sailors launched into their own variations of the forward loop with Soltysiak being awarded the highest points for landing planing.

Obviously enjoying their moment in the limelight and the cheers from the beach, the sailors closed the heat with an eight man synchronized forward loop.

The men’s Super-session results

1^st Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins) – Culo-spock

2^nd Jose Estredo (Fanatic / North) – Culo-spock

3^rd Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra) – Culo-spock

The women’s Super-session results

1^st Laure Treboux (Fanatic / North) – One handed Grubby diablo

2^nd Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic) – Switch chachoo diablo

3^rd Svetlana Martynova  - Smooth e-slider

Today we hand over the baton to the men’s slalom fleet, for their first day of competition.  Racing is scheduled to start at 10:30am following the skippers meeting at 10am.

Scope the action

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Or for more information, please contact the PWA office via info@pwaworldtour.com

Men’s fleet
In a thrilling superfinal Steven van Broeckhoven (B-72) defeated the reigning champion Gollito Estredo (V-01). It was a 3:2 decision to the edge and only 0.5 points difference from the judges’ scores in favour of Van Broeckhoven who already came to Fuerteventura in first place in. Having defended his second place against Kiri Thode (NB-61) he wins the final of the double elimination against Gollito Estredo (winner of the single elimination). With one victory each the pair would have to go head-to-head one more time to declare who would be the overall event winner.

Women’s Fleet
In the women’s fleet everything was going according to plan for Sarah-Quita Offringa (ARU-91) from Aruba. She surely won the final against Laure Treboux (SUI-4) from Switzerland. Yoli de Brendt (Venezuela, V-26) defended her third place against Xenia Kessler (D-211) from Denmark. It was the last event for women’s fleet this year. Sarah-Quita Offringa (20 years old) is world champion 2011 – for the fourth time. Unbeatable as she currently is in freestyle, she now plans to make steps into wavesailing.

Steven Van Broeckhoven no-handed burner

2011 PWA Fuerteventura World Cup – Day four: Belgian maestro Steven Van Broeckhoven and Aruban freestyle queen Sarah-Quita Offringa sail to an emphatic victory in Fuerteventura claiming both event crowns and the world championship titles.

The fourth day in Fuerteventura kicked off to a tense start, with light winds blowing over the competition area and relaxing tunes being played in the main tent. The remaining five men and four women were placed on standby, to anxiously wait for the conditions to improve.

With little change in the wind by two o’clock the sailors began to panic that they would not be able to complete the competition, however the wind gods were on their side, blessing the sailors with breezes up to twenty knots for the final flurry of action in the double elimination.

Head judge Duncan Coombs wasted no time in sending out the brothers from Bonaire, Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins) and Tonky Frans (Tabou / Gaastra) to warm up and test the conditions. The brothers launched into action straight off the beach and the judges declared the conditions suitable for a fair competition.

Men’s Fleet

Picking up the action at heat forty-eight, Taty and Tonky went head-to-head. Disaster struck for Taty in the opening minute of the heat when his downhaul rope snapped, allowing Tonky to clock up a number of critical moves whilst he fixed the problem. Taty was back on the water and fighting in no time landing an enormous future into flaka. However the fault had obviously messed with his mind-set and he struggled to land a few key moves, opening the door for Tonky to advance into the next round.

Tonky went on to face, fellow Bonaire teammate, Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra). The sailors performed their finest moves, launching into gravity-defying konos and super smooth shaka flakas in quick succession. This early all-out attack meant both sailors had filled their score sheets before the nine minute heat was completed. Incredible sailing from both parties ensured the scores were particularly close, with Thode squeezing past by just half a point.

With a sacred place in the final up for grabs, Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2 / Gaastra) and Thode opened the heat with all guns blazing. Van Broeckhoven wowed the crowds with an ankle dry culo, whilst Thode opted for a double air funnel and an incredible triple spock. The astounding spectacle continued throughout the heat resulting in the scores being ridiculously tight with Van Broeckhoven narrowly taking the win with a 3-2 decision from the judges.

Men’s Final

Having defended his second place, and earned a position in the final Van Broeckhoven was fired up when he faced the four times world champion Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic / North). Estredo sailed a perfect heat landing all of his most daring moves, and filling his score sheet in record time. However Van Broeckhoven timed his moves to perfection nailing a monster culo and massive konos on both tacks in a desperate bid to win the heat.

Van Broeckhoven was awarded the win with a 4-1 decision from the judges. With one victory each the pair would have to go head-to-head one more time to declare who would be the overall event winner.

Men’s Super-final

The crowds on the beach fell silent as the sailors lined up and waited for the green flag to be raised. Estredo was first to move landing a clean spock-culo in front of the judges. Van Broeckhoven fought back with a dry ponch and a colossal shaka flaka. A mind-blowing nine minutes of action flew by as the world’s best freestylers performed every move possible to impress the judges.

Fuelled by adrenaline the sailors ran up the beach to hear the results announced. Van Broeckhoven was awarded the victory and the event title with a 3-2 decision from the judges.

Having sailed an incredible year of competitions, Van Broeckhoven has won three events out of six events on the world freestyle tour and earned himself the title of 2011 world freestyle champion. Even if Thode wins in Sylt, and equals Van Broeckhoven on points, Van Broeckhoven will take the win as he has defeated Thode the most times.

Sarah-Quita Offringa

Women’s Fleet

Venezuelan Yoli De Brent (Fanatic / North) and Xenia Kessler (JP / NeilPryde) were the first women to take to the battle arena, fighting for third place. The duo looked fairly evenly matched both landing clew first spocks and loops and flakas. However De Brent was able to take the lead separating the pair with her switch moves, seeing her advance to face her teammate Laure Treboux (Fanatic / North).

Treboux was on fine form throughout the heat landing a fully planing grubby under the judges’ noses, De Brendt fought back hard landing a forward loop and a flaka. It came down to the final minutes of the heat when Treboux upped the game landing a one handed clew first spock and a one handed flaka to secure her place in the final.

Women’s Final

Just nine minutes separated Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic) from claiming her third event crown and her fourth world champion title. Offringa didn’t let the pressure affect her performance and she sailed an inspiring heat landing an incredible set of moves. Treboux upped her game, landing a funnel and a switch kono, but she was unable to match the power and diversity of Offringa moves. Offringa was awarded the victory to the cheers of the crowds on the beach after an amazing season where she was unbeaten on the water.

With the double elimination completed and the winners announced the sailors were released for the day. The final day of freestyle will kick off tomorrow morning with the skippers meeting at 11:00am with the first possible start to competition at 11:30am.

The 2011 Fuerteventura Men’s Freestyle Results

1^st Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2 / Gaastra)

2^nd Jose Estredo (Fanatic / North)

3^rd Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra)

4^th Tonky Frans (Tabou / Gaastra)

5^th Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins)

6^th Bjorn Saragoza (Starboard / Hot Sails)

7^th Davy Scheffers (Tabou / Gaastra)

7^th Anthony Ruenes (Tabou / Simmer)

The 2011 Fuerteventura Women’s Freestyle Results

1^st Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic)

2^nd Laure Treboux (Fanatic / North)

3^rd Yoli De Brent (Fanatic / North)

4^th Xenia Kessler (JP / NeilPryde)

5^th Arrianne Aukes (RRD / Simmer / Dakine / AL360)

6^th Mio Anayama (NeilPryde)

7^th Svetlana Martynova

7^th Danielle Lucas (Severne)

Scope the action

For more information on all the entrants, and to keep up to date with every piece of the action, click on www.pwaworldtour.com

Here you can use our:

- Live ticker service for heat-by-heat bulletins

- Check live elimination ladders

- View results

- Read daily news summaries

- Browse awesome action photo galleries

- Follow the event live, with top class commentary from pros and industry insiders.

Or for more information, please contact the PWA office via info@pwaworldtour.com

Men’s fleet.

Tonky Frans (NB-7) is the best rider in the double elimination and fights back past Ian Mouro Lemos (BRA-85) from Brazil, the Canadian Phil Soltysiak (CAN-9), Anthony Ruenes from France (F-85) and his countryman Björn Saragoza (NB-11). His next rival would be his own brother Taty Frans (NB-9).

From 00:02:28 Tonky Frans speaks about how he came to windsurf and the rivalry with his brother.

Woman’s fleet

The Danish girl Xenia Kessler (D-211) defeated her opponents Sventlana Martynova (RUS-10) from Russia, the Japanese Mio Anayama (J-311) and Arrianne Aukes (H-131) from the Netherlands and reached fourth place. Her next rival was due to be Yoli de Brendt (V-26) from Venezuela.

Tonky Frans

The 2011 PWA Fuerteventura Grand Slam – Day three: Lighter winds and super flat water saw the style master Tonky Frans and rising star Xenia Kessler storm through the double elimination.

A gentle day in Fuerteventura placed the sailors on standby throughout the morning, allowing them to soak up the sun, enjoy the relaxing tunes and taste the culinary delights inside the main tent.

Winds blowing just below the suitable level for competition teased the sailors throughout the day. Occasionally large gusts blew over the competition area providing enough time for the sailors to hit the azure water, pump onto the plane, and pull their gravity-defying maneuvers.

Conscientious that the day was slipping away the judges decided that they would have to make do with the conditions and announced that the heats would be extended to nine minutes to accommodate the lighter winds, raising the green flag at 2:30pm.

Men’s Fleet

First to hit the water was men’s heat forty-two in the double elimination. The crowds on the beach witnessed a very on form Davy Scheffers (Tabou / Gaastra) take on the Russian, Yegor Popretinskiy (JP / NeilPryde / MFC). Favoring the flatter waters and lighter winds, Scheffers span round a series of complex double maneuvers to secure his ticket into the next round. Also in the heat Bonaire’s Bjorn Saragoza (Starboard / Hot Sails) shone through, pumping into an enormous future and a culo to defeat Yarden Meir (Fanatic / Simmer).

On the other side of the elimination Tonky Frans (Tabou / Gaastra) exploded into action, blowing the judges away with his extreme tricks. Tonky rotated around a super-fast bonka, a shaka flaka and a future all in quick succession, leaving the Brazilian Ian Mouro Lemos (JP / NeilPryde) in his wake. The two Frenchmen Antony Ruenes (Tabou / Simmer) and Nicolas Akgazciyan (Starboard / Gun) went head to head in a particularly close heat, Ruenes managed to squeeze into the next round winning the most points on the complexity of his moves.

The following round saw Scheffers continue to dominate, claiming victory over his opponent Dieter Van der Eyken (Starboard / Severne), as did Saragoza, knocking Quincy Offringa (Starboard) down a position on the overall rankings.

Scheffers and Saragoza hit the battle ground in heat forty-six; Scheffers held the advantage throughout the heat landing his routine of switch moves whilst Saragoza struggled to land his moves on the way out. With just seconds to go Saragoza landed a super clean future earning him enough points to take the lead.

Tonky continued to dominate, blitzing his way through three incredible heats, obviously enjoying the lighter winds and glassy flat water that more resembled his home ground in Bonaire than classic Sotavento. He worked his way past Phil Soltysiak (Starboard / Dakine), Ruenes and Saragoza to face his brother Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins).

The brothers took to the water and pumped their way through the whole heat landing their moves, however the judges felt that the tricks they were pulling wasn’t a fair representation of their talents. The heat was cancelled due to the light winds and the sailors were placed back on standby.

Women’s Fleet

The lighter winds and a flat sailing ground provided the perfect conditions for the women to unleash their most daring maneuvers. Mio Anayama (NeilPryde) launched into forward loops in both directions, and Xenia Kessler (JP / NeilPryde) span around a set of super smooth spocks and a flaka to defeat their opponents Svetlana Martynova and Brit Danielle Lucas (Severne).

Kessler and Anayama moved on to face each other. Anayama fought hard landing her forward loops and a spock in the closing seconds; however she was unable to match the consistency of Kessler.

Arch rivals, Arrianne Aukes (RRD / Simmer / Dakine / AL360) and Kessler then took to the water for their seventh showdown this season. With five wins to one Aukes was confident as she entered the heat, pulling a super-fast spock on the way out, however it was Kessler’s day and she flew through her tricks without fault ensuring the judges awarded her the most points, knocking Aukes down into fifth place.

With the wind dropping for the day the sailors were released at five o’clock, leaving the final heats of the double elimination to be completed tomorrow. Opening up the women’s heats will be Kessler vs Venezuelan Yoli De Brent (Fanatic / North) in the battle for third place. The skippers meeting will kick off at 11am with a first possible start to competition at 11:30am.

Men’s Single Elimination Results

1st Jose Estredo (Fanatic / North)

2nd Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2 / Gaastra)

3rd Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra)

4th Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins)

Women’s Single Elimination Results

1st Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic)

2nd Laure Treboux (Fanatic / North)

3rd Yoli De Brendt (Fanatic / North)

4th Arrianne Aukes (RRD / Simmer / Dakine / AL360)

Scope the action

For more information on all the entrants, and to keep up to date with every piece of the action, click on www.pwaworldtour.com

Here you can use our:

- Live ticker service for heat-by-heat bulletins

- Check live elimination ladders

- View results

- Read daily news summaries

- Browse awesome action photo galleries

- Follow the event live, with top class commentary from pros and industry insiders.

Or for more information, please contact the PWA office via info@pwaworldtour.com

Jose 'Gollito' Estredo

The 2011 PWA Fuerteventura Grand Slam – Day 2: Incredible conditions allow Jose Estredo and Sarah-Quita Offringa to bulldoze their way through the single elimination in Fuerteventura.

Twenty knots of wind, blazing sun and turquoise waters provided the perfect conditions for the world’s finest freestylers to wow the crowds with an amazing afternoon of action. Consistent conditions allowed the remaining heats of the single elimination and the opening heats on the men’s double elimination to be completed.

Having spent the morning tuning their equipment and planning for the heats ahead the sailors were fired up to hit the water when the green flag went up at 1:30pm.

Men’s Fleet

The men’s fleet was first onto the battle ground, picking up the action from heat twenty-one. The opening heat of the day witnessed Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2 / Gaastra) put a stop to Youp Schmit’s (JP / NeilPryde / Dakine) advances in the single elimination, whilst Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra) claimed victory over Phil Soltysiak (Starboard / Dakine). Despite not being against each other Van Broeckhoven and Thode went about matching each other move for move, working out each other’s weakness and planning for the next round.

In the following heat, style king Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins) slayed Quincy Offringa (Starboard) with a sky-high air chachoo, securing his place in the top four. Four times world champion Jose Estredo (Fanatic / North) started the day on a high, landing an enormous shaka-flaka and a monster air funnel to defeat the young Belgian star Dieter Van der Eyken (Starboard / Severne).

An incredibly exciting battle for a sacred place in the winners’ final saw Van Broeckhoven and Thode go head-to-head, unleashing their most insane tricks. Thode pulled a planing Kabicutchi and a perfect culo-spock, however Van Broeckhoven was on superb form, boosting super high into all of his moves and landing them with precision. Estredo continued with his routine of mind-blowing maneuvers to conquer Taty for his place in the final.

Men’s Final

Both parties entered the men’s final with all guns blazing, determined to take the early advantage in Fuerteventura. Van Broeckhoven took the lead landing a colossal shaka-flaka and a planing burner. Estredo was quick to fight back landing a bolt upright spock-culo and future diablo. The pair was neck and neck until the closing seconds of the heat when Estredo separated the score sheets with a skopu into puneta, forcing Van Broeckhoven to attempt an astounding double burner. Estredo was announced the victor at the prize giving on the beach.

Women’s Fleet

Heat twenty-three of the women’s single elimination saw the ladies battle it out for their place in the winners’ final. Laure Treboux (Fanatic / North) and Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic) dominated their opponents Yoli De Brendt (Fanatic / North) and Arrianne Aukes (RRD / Simmer / Dakine / AL360). The ladies went about landing their most consistent moves to secure their pass into the final, whilst De Brent and Aukes looked to be struggling with the conditions, and unable to perform their moves on the inside.

Women’s Final

With just seven minutes to perform their most impressive stunts, the duo immediately burst into action. Treboux opened the heat with a clean spock 540 and a planing grubby diablo in front of the judges. Eager to take control, Offringa launched into a perfect toad, a switch kono and a smooth funnel. Treboux attempted to fight back with a shove-it spock but Offringa was already too far ahead on the score-sheets.

Double Elimination

With the wind still howling and the crowds on the beach hungry for more action, the judges made the decision to continue directly in the double elimination. Providing the sailors that slipped up early in the single elimination to fight back and raise their overall scores.

The first round of the double elimination witnessed three exceptional heats from Jakub Kosmowski (RRD / Simmer / Dakine), Tilo Eber (JP / NeilPryde) and Levi Lenz (Dakine). The sailors each scored an amazing twenty-two out of a possible thirty points guaranteeing their passes into the next round.

The standout sailors from the double elimination and advancing through two heats each were, Eber continuing his winning streak, Edvan De Souza Pedro (RRD / Simmer), Andy Chambers (JP / NeilPryde), Julien Mas (Patrik / Hot Sails), Max Rowe (Fanatic / North), Nicola Spadea (Starboard / Gun), and Christofer Kalk (Fanatic / Gaastra). However the might of the sailors in the third round quickly put a stop to their rampage in the double elimination.

The only sailor to break through the barrier was the super technical Nicolas Akgazciyan (Starboard / Gun). Akgazciyan made sure he was awarded extra style points by landing an enormous ponch, a fully planing switch flaka and floaty kono, leaving Leo Ray (Naish / Naish / MFC) to question where he had gone wrong.

After an action-packed afternoon the sailors were released at 7pm. The third day of competition will kick off at 10:30am with the skippers’ meeting and a first possible start to competition at 11am.

First up tomorrow morning, in heat number 42, will be Davy Scheffers (Tabou / Gaastra) vs Yegor Popretinskiy (JP / NeilPryde / MFC) and the cool Bjorn Saragoza (Starboard / Hot Sails) vs Israel’s Yarden Meir (Fanatic / Simmer).

Men’s Single Elimination Results

1^st Jose Estredo (Fanatic / North)

2^nd Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2 / Gaastra)

3^rd Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra)

4^th Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins)

Women’s Single Elimination Results

1^st Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic)

2^nd Laure Treboux (Fanatic / North)

3^rd Yoli De Brendt (Fanatic / North)

4^th Arrianne Aukes (RRD / Simmer / Dakine / AL360)

Scope the action

For more information on all the entrants, and to keep up to date with every piece of the action, click on www.pwaworldtour.com

Here you can use our:

- Live ticker service for heat-by-heat bulletins

- Check live elimination ladders

- View results

- Read daily news summaries

- Browse awesome action photo galleries

- Follow the event live, with top class commentary from pros and industry insiders.

Or for more information, please contact the PWA office via info@pwaworldtour.com

Youp Schmit

The 2011 PWA Fuerteventura Grand Slam – Day one: Fuerteventura springs into action with the freestyle fleet ripping, flying, and spinning through the opening rounds of the single elimination.

A gentle start to the 2011 Fuerteventura Grand Slam allowed the spectators to flock to the beach, the sailors to focus their minds on the battle ahead and the atmosphere to intensify as the morning progressed.

By midday the wind was blowing around 15-20 knots and the sun was shining, providing the perfect start to the competition. Head judge Duncan Coombs wasted no time in unleashing the freestyle fleet onto the water at 12:30pm, announcing the best three out of six moves would count towards the sailors’ scores.

Men’s Fleet

A smooth set of heats saw many of the tour regulars slip seamlessly past their opponents in the opening round of competition. Youp Schmit (JP / NeilPryde / Dakine) dominated in the first heat of the day taking down new boy to the tour Tony Mottus (JP / NeilPryde). Bryan Metcalf-Perez (JP / NeilPryde / Dakine) quickly disposed of Ezri Heymans with his perfect ponch and forward loop combination. Brit Max Rowe (Fanatic / North) slayed Sten Aava, planing out of the majority of his maneuvers, and Slovakia’s Andraz Zan (F2 / Hot Sails) came out all guns blazing to beat Mauricio Alvarez (Patrik  / Gaastra).

Schmit continued on a path of destruction, working his way past the super technical Nicolas Akgazciyan (Starboard / Gun) and the double move master, Davy Scheffers (Tabou / Gaastra) in two incredible heats to earn him a position in the top eight. Schmit’s superior consistency and explosive maneuvers in the complex conditions won him the all-important judges’ votes.

The second round of competition witnessed the higher ranked sailors come out to play, bringing with them an armory of mind-blowing maneuvers.

The highest scoring heat of the day was awarded to slick Belgian superstar, Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2 / Gaastra). Van Broeckhoven earned himself twenty-seven out of a possible thirty points in his heat against Christofer Kalk (Fanatic / Gaastra), landing monster shakas, ankle dry culos and enormous ponchs.

Bar Schmit, the only sailor to break through the barrier formed by the top seeded sailors and into the top sixteen was Brazilian Ian Mouro Lemos (JP / NeilPryde). Mouro Lemos stole the show with a well thought out routine of burners, air flakas and switch chachoos to defeat his challenger Andy Chambers (JP / NeilPryde).

Down to the top sixteen and the conditions were becoming ever more complex as the rising tide bought with it larger chop for the sailors to contend with, as well as the judges announcing that the best four out of seven moves would count towards the sailors’ scores.

Eager to put on a show and earn a position in the top eight, the sailors decided it was time to unleash their most daring maneuvers. Van Broeckhoven burst into a gravity defying culo to secure his victory over Yegor Popretinskiy (JP / NeilPryde / MFC). Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra) wowed the crowds with a super clean culo-spock and a double spock in the choppiest patch of water, and Jose Estredo (Fanatic /North) launched into a perfect air chachoo to defeat Leo Ray (Naish / Naish / MFC).

Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic / Maui Ultra) and Tonky Frans (Tabou / Gaastra) sailed a particularly impressive set of heats displaying their unique style, landing backloops off the smallest of waves and incredible ponchs in ankle deep water. Taty advanced past Mouro Lemos, however Tonky dropped a few critical moves, falling victim to the consistency of Quincy Offringa (Starboard).

The men’s quarter finals will kick off tomorrow morning with Schmit vs Van Broeckhoven & Phil Soltysiak (Starboard / Dakine) vs Thode in heat 21.

Women’s Fleet

The opening two heats of the women’s single elimination were completed when the conditions were at their most testing. The women had to be particularly selective where they performed their moves in order to avoid the large patches of choppy water.

Laure Treboux (Fanatic / North) opened up women’s heat 21 on fine form landing a clean set of maneuvers to see her advance through to the semi-finals past new girl to the tour Danielle Lucas (Severne). On the other side of the heat the Venezuelan style queen Yoli De Brendt (Fanatic / North) defeated Mio Anayama (NeilPryde) with an enormous forward loop and her super smooth spocks.

In the second women’s heat of the day Arrianne Aukes (RRD / Simmer / Dakine / AL 360) and Xenia Kessler (JP / NeilPryde) went head to head for the sixth time this season. Kessler looked to be struggling with the choppy conditions allowing Aukes to squeeze ahead and into the semi-finals. Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic) blitzed her way past Svetlana Martynova landing all the big moves, warning the rest of the fleet that she means business in Fuerteventura.

With the conditions deteriorating the sailors were released at 5pm. Day two of the 2011 PWA Fuerteventura Grand Slam will kick off at 10:30am with the skippers’ meeting, and a first possible start to competition at 11am.

Scope the action

For more information on all the entrants, and to keep up to date with every piece of the action, click on www.pwaworldtour.com

Here you can use our:

- Live ticker service for heat-by-heat bulletins

- Check live elimination ladders

- View results

- Read daily news summaries

- Browse awesome action photo galleries

- Follow the event live, with top class commentary from pros and industry insiders.

Or for more information, please contact the PWA office via info@pwaworldtour.com

Max Rowe in training on Fuerte

The 2011 PWA Fuerteventura Grand Slam – Registration Day:  The freestyle fleet is rigged, registered and ready to rock the 2011 PWA Fuerteventura Grand Slam.

Hundreds of spectators headed down to Sotavento beach to witness the world’s finest freestyler’s register for their sixth competition on the PWA world tour. In total 45 men and 8 women are signed up for what promises to be an incredibly exciting battle.

A sense of excitement buzzed around the event site, with the sailors being introduced on stage and the finishing touches being put in place for the start of competition, tomorrow morning.

Having already competed in five events this season the points are looking critically tight at the top. The PWA tracked down four sailors that currently sit in the top ten, about their great year and their plans to break into the top five.

Antony Ruenes (Simmer / Tabou)

PWA: You’re currently in 8^th place, how has the year been so far?

Ruenes: “I have been training a lot this year, and now I am back on form after an injury I had the year before. In Vietnam I injured myself and but still I managed to finish 10^th so I really wasn’t happy about that, but I came back in Podersdorf with 7^th. In Bonaire I struggled with the light winds and finished in 13^th, but I finished 7^th in Aruba and an amazing 4^th in Lanzarote. I am really confident for this event and I hope it gets really windy.”

PWA: What’s your strategy for this event?

Ruenes: “I arrived a week before so that I didn’t get too tired, I have been training some really big no-handed moves.”

PWA: Who will be your biggest rival?

Ruenes: “I think once you get into the top 10 is gets so hard everyone is sailing so well, anything can happen. I just hope its strong winds and big waves.”

Bjorn Saragoza (Starboard / Hot Sails)

PWA: How has the year been for you?

Saragoza: “This year has gone really well so far, already better than last year. I am really happy with my results I, I struggled in Podersdorf but since then I have finished 8^th, 6^th and 6^th.”

PWA:  When did you arrive in Fuerteventura?

Saragoza: “I have been here for three weeks and I am already a little tired. It has been so windy which has been really fun, and great for training the big moves.”

PWA: What moves have you been training for this event?

Saragoza: “I have been training pushloops, a lot and I have had some big crashes. I want to feel like I’m not scared of any move so I can just go for it.”

PWA: Where do you hope to finish in Fuerteventura?

Saragoza: “I hope to finish in the top 10, and then I will be really happy. I don’t have a big rival you just need to train hard so that you can face the guys at the top.”

Dieter Van der Eyken (Starboard / Severne)

PWA:  You’re currently in 7^th place you must be really happy. Van der Eyken: “I have had an amazing year, especially as I didn’t train that much this winter. I started the year in 5^th and then in Podersdorf I came 9^th, In Bonaire I finished in 6^th which I was really surprising with so many tough heats, and finally in Aruba and Lanzarote I finished in 7^th. I beat Taty in Bonaire which was great.”

PWA: When did you arrive in Fuerteventura?

Van der Eyken:  “I arrived one week ago so that I could practice, last year I arrived three weeks before but I was really tired by the time the competition came around.”

PWA: What moves have you been training?

Van der Eyken:  “I think it will be a really interesting week, because the conditions have been very different to what we have now. In training I was landing backloops and big burners in both directions.”

PWA: Who is your biggest rival for the week?

Van der Eyken: “If the wind gets really strong it will be Kiri, Steven and Gollito to beat for a top three positions. I want a top eight position I think Bjorn, Davy and Tonky will be really hard to beat.”

Phil Soltysiak (Starboard / Dakine)

PWA:  How has your year been?

Soltysiak: “I have had a great year, I’m currently in ninth and I hope to finish in the top ten here Fuerteventura.”

PWA: When did you arrive?

Soltysiak: “I have been here for a few weeks and had a lot of time on the water here. The wind has been really strong but now it has dropped off a little so we will see what happens in the competition.”

PWA: What moves do you hope to land in your heats?

Soltysiak: “On the strong Fuerteventura days, you need to do air moves on the way out because the waters choppy and it’s really hard to do the slidey moves on the way out. On the way in I will try to do really powerful moves, like burners, culos, shakas, that for of thing. Hopefully that will work.”

PWA: Where do you hope to finish?

Soltysiak: “I would like to finish in the top ten then I will be happy. I think the top heats will be really tough here as everyone is sailing so well.”

Day one of the competition is set to commence at 10am tomorrow morning with the skippers meeting. The first possible start to the competition is at 10:30am.

Scope the action

The PWA is proud to announce that the entire 2011 Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam will be streamed live via PWA TV on www.pwaworldtour.com. Weather depending, coverage of day one of competition is scheduled to begin at 10am Saturday 23rd July (UTC +1), when the sailors will take to the water.

For more information on all the entrants, and to keep up to date with every piece of the action, click on www.pwaworldtour.com

Here you can use our:

- Live ticker service for heat-by-heat bulletins

- Check live elimination ladders

- View results

- Read daily news summaries

- Browse awesome action photo galleries

- Follow the event live, with top class commentary from pros and industry insiders.

Or for more information, please contact the PWA office via info@pwaworldtour.com

Sotavento Beach, Fuerteventura

2011 Sotavento Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam – Event Preview: The PWA’s elite freestyle and slalom sailors descend on the dazzling island of Fuerteventura for the fourth and final showdown on the grueling Canary Islands tour.

The world famous Reni Egli windsurfing centre will play host to world’s wildest freestylers and the full throttle men’s slalom fleet for ten days of intense competition. Its idyllic location boasts golden sands and a relaxing beachside chill out area just meters away from the remarkable conditions, providing the crowds with an incredible view from the comfort of their sun loungers.

Relentless winds and stirred up seas form the battle ground for the most anticipated contest on the PWA world tour. Fuerteventura’s insane conditions guarantee exhilarating action from the men’s slalom fleet and the occasional stunt ramp ensures the freestylers will be performing their most radical maneuvers to win the judges affections.

Beachside

Fuerteventura is a favorite spot amongst the PWA stars, not just due to the faultless conditions. An enormous party tent lines the beach, filled with pumping tunes, delicious food and drinks, providing the perfect location to blow off steam after a tough day on the water.

What’s the deal?

The ten day extravaganza will take place between the 22^nd July- 1^st August, marking the men’s freestyle fleets’ sixth competition on the 2011 world tour and the women’s third and final battle. It will also see the men’s slalom racers enter their fifth face off in 2011. The sailors will be fighting tooth and nail for a taste of the €75,000 prize purse alongside critical mid-season points.

Dates to Remember

22^nd July: Freestyle registration (1pm-3pm)

23^rd July: Start of Freestyle competition (Skippers 10am, first possible start 10:30am).

27^th July: Final day of freestyle / Slalom registration (1pm-3pm).

28^th July: First day of slalom competition (Skippers 10am, first possible start 11:00).

1st August: Final day of slalom and slalom awards ceremony.

Who to watch out for

Freestyle fleet

At this stage in the game the scores all looking critically tight at the top and several sailors have everything to play for in the quest for the world title. Slick Belgian superstar Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2 / Gaastra) sailed his way into second place in Lanzarote providing him with the advantage over Bonaire’s Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra) on the overall event scores, he will be looking to deliver a spectacular performance to retain his position in Fuerteventura’s complex conditions.

Having had time to re-think his game plan, expect to see Thode return with a vengeance, pulling his gravity deifying kabicutichis and bone dry culos in order to claim back his position on top.

Favoring the more radical conditions the Canary Islands kick up, four times world champion Jose Estredo (Fanatic / North) stole the show in Lanzarote and claimed his first event on the 2011 world tour. Estredo is guaranteed to bring his unbelievable air chachoos and no handed ponchs to secure maximum points in Fuerteventura.

Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic) sits in fourth place overall, it can be expected Taty will be looking to up his game in order to make it onto the podium at this critical stage on the world tour.

Tonky Frans (Tabou / Gaastra) is famous for his fifty-meter willy-skippers on the shallow water in Fuerteventura; Tonky will be wowing the crowds with his unique style and his trademark bonka to see him advance into the top five.

Dutch whiz kid Davy Scheffers (Tabou / Gaastra) will be spinning around his vast collection of double maneuvers in Fuerteventura to retain his position in the top five.

2010’s rookie of the year Dieter Van Der Eyken (Starboard / Severne) has sailed an incredible set of competitions to earn himself seventh place. The promising young star has plenty of tricks up his sleeve, except to see enormous shakas in both directions as Van Der Eyken blitz’s his way through the heats.

The super cool Bjorn Saragoza (Starboard / Hot Sails) currently holds tenth position, this new hot shot on the PWA tour is likely to fly his way through the elimination ladder in Fuerteventura with his ever-impressive flaka shakas and sky high konos.

Also in the mix will be the super consistent Phil Soltysiak (Starboard / Dakine), the flying Frenchmen Nicholas Akgazciyan (Gun / Starboard) and Antony Ruenes (Tabou / Simmer), alongside a whole host of extreme opponents.

Women’s Fleet

The women will entering their third and final round on the 2011 world tour, Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic), has sailed her way through two outstanding competitions in Bonaire and Aruba. She will be looking to make it a hat trick and confirm her dominance of the women’s fleet in 2011.

The Swiss style queen Laure Treboux (Fanatic / North) has given Offringa a run for her money in six out of six finals this year. Treboux is more motivated than ever and she is likely to be going for the more daring moves from the word go in order to break the Offringa stronghold on the silverware.

Experienced competitor Yoli De Brent (Fanatic / North) sits in third, she is likely to wow the crowds with her smooth spock variations.

The rising stars in the women’s fleet Arrianne Aukes (RRD / Simmer / AL 360 / Dakine) and Xenia Kessler (JP / NeilPryde) will be charging hard to retain their positions in the top five after a flying start to the year in the Caribbean.

Fuerteventura will witness two fresh faces make their debut appearance on the PWA world tour, Brit Danielle Lucas (Severne) and Russian Svetlana Martynova. Keep an eye on the girls as they test their skills against the world’s best.

Slalom Fleet

The windsurfing icons Bjorn Dunkerbeck (Starboard / Severne / Mystic / DunkerbeckEyewear) and Antoine Albeau (JP / NeilPryde) have had a tough year at the top; the pair have been engaged in an intense battle to claim the top of the podium in the race for the overall world title. With three victories to one, Dunkerbeck currently holds the lead but no doubt the pair will be unleashing everything in order to claim another victory in Fuerteventura.

Up with the big guns, sits a very on form Ben Van Der Steen (Starboard / Loft / Mystic), Van Der Steen has claimed a second and a third place so far this season. He will be enjoying the taste at the top and will be heading to Fuerteventura for another helping, watch out for Van Steen’s blistering speed as he rips around the race course.

Next is line is Cyril Moussilmani (Starboard / North), the flying Frenchman has been tearing the rest of the fleet apart with his super tight gybes and record board speed, expect big things from the super talented Moussilmani when he takes to the race course.

The ever-powerful Finian Maynard (RRD) currently holds fifth place, Maynard will be pushing the starts hard in order to claim his place at the front of the pack.

The fleet will be littered with big names ready to cause some major upset including wild Peter Volwater (Fanatic / MauiSails), blistering Micah Buzianis (JP/ NeilPryde) the dazzling Jimmy Diaz (Starboard / North) and the astounding Josh Angulo (Angulo / Gun / Dakine) to name a few.

Keep your eyes peeled from the 22^nd July -1^st August as the Fuerteventura Grand Slam promises astonishing action from the freestyle fleet, as they launch into their mind-blowing maneuvers on the choppy waters, and outrageous speeds from the Slalom fleet as they hurl themselves around the race course in a bid to win precious event points.

Scope the action

The PWA is proud to announce that the entire 2011 Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam will be streamed live via PWA TV on www.pwaworldtour.com. Weather depending, coverage of day one of competition is scheduled to begin at 10am Saturday 23rd July (UTC +1), when the sailors will take to the water.

For more information on all the entrants, and to keep up to date with every piece of the action, click on www.pwaworldtour.com

Here you can use our:

- Live ticker service for heat-by-heat bulletins

- Check live elimination ladders

- View results

- Read daily news summaries

- Browse awesome action photo galleries

- Follow the event live, with top class commentary from pros and industry insiders.

Or for more information, please contact the PWA office via info@pwaworldtour.com