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inget wave event på GC??
This afternoon we have been treated to a dynamic display from the world’s top sailors gathered here in Pozo. Vidar Jensen N-44 (Drops, North) won the men’s freestyle contest held due to a lack of suitable waves. Joining him in the final was Josh US6 (JP Australia, Neil Pryde) and Jason StoneUS7(Neil Pryde).
In the women’s contest local sisters Daida E-64 and Iballa E-63 Ruano Moreno took first and second respectivly.
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After a week jam packed with race action today we have been treated to a spectacular finale at The 2000 PWA Gran Canaria Grand Slam.
In the last few days the wind has been relatively light for Pozo. As a result the waves have been smaller than was required for the wave contest to go ahead. This has surprised everyone as Pozo Izquierdo where it is quite normal to see a mountain of wrecked equipment from the shore break and sailors narrowly avoiding aircraft as they fly high above Pozo town.
Without the waves it was decided to hold a freestyle contest. Many of the top names decided to enter and it provided an excellent warm up to the freestyle world championship event in Fuerteventura next week. Men and women’s contests were held simultaneously which kept the crowds happy and the judges busy!
The opening round of the men’s contest produced several exciting heats, every sailor keen to release their pent up energy! First round casualties included Francisco Goya A-211 (Fantatic, Arrows) and Michi Schweiger AUT-54 (Mistral, Arrows). Cisco went out to Nik Baker K-77 (Mistral, North) and Ben Van Der Steen H-57 (Fanatic, Art) went through to the second round with Brian Talmar KBA-8 (F2, Arrows) and Eric Troothseide H-90 (Mistral, North).
In another second round there was an energy packed contest between Josh Stone US6(JP Australia, Neil Pryde) and Dionicio Guadagnino V-69 (JP Australia, Neil Pryde) with Jason Polakow K1111 (JP Australia, Neil Pryde) and one of the racing sensations from Pozo 2000, Antoine Albeau F-192 (AHD, Neil Pryde).
The last time Dionicio and Josh met was in the final at King of the Lake when Dionicio took first place. Today they went through together, knocking out Jason and Antoine.
This created yet another electrifying heat with The Stone brothers, Dionicio and Jonas Ceballos Sanchez E-40 (Simmer). Before the heat Josh has some words of encouragement for his younger brother.
Josh, ”It’ll all be over soon bro. In about ten minutes, you will feel no pain.”
Despite the comments Josh was pleased to have his brother so far through in the heats. Jason was happy with his performance so far,
” This is the furthest I’ve ever got in a freestyle contest, I’m lovin’ it out there today.”
As the semi finals begun all the sailors felt over powered, Pozo starting to return to its usual form. After a quick sail change Josh, Jason, Dionicio and Jonas hit the water for the showdown. Both Dionicio and Josh landed plenty of forward loops, Jason matching their moves. For Josh it was spock, spock, spock bringing him closer and closer to the shore break everytime. Dionicio put on a fine display showing the fluid moves which gave him the title in Italy. Jason made a solid performance and convinced the judges of his desire to keep on improving his freestyle position. All this led to him following his brother through to the final.
In the second semi final Nik Baker met with Vidar Jensen N-44 (Drops,North). The wind picked up further before the final leaving Nik overpowered with a 5.8. Vidar pushed hard, with one handed forward loops and clean clew firsts off the chop. Josh and Jason kept up the style and there seemed to be a member of the Stone family airborne at any one moment during the heat. Nik landed several clean loops and fitted in some fluid transitions between moves.
In the end Nik held on and fought his way through the final overpowered, finishing ahead of both Josh and Jason. Vidar took first place, obviously feeling comfortable on a beach that is home for him through most of the year.
Vidar,” It’s been a good day. Atleast we got to complete some competition. I would rather have won a wave contest but I’m obviously happy to have won today. ”
Josh was pleased to have his brother with him in the final and the pair looked as relaxed as ever facing each other in a freestyle event.
Josh,” Hey, it was great to have my brother sailing with me in the final and even better to whoop his ass! I’m happy that we managed to sail a contest here today. Over time all event venues suffer from a lack of wind, atleast we’ve had a good sail here today. It’s been a great warm up for Fuerte. The freestyle world championship will be taking place there and that’s been on my mind all week.”
The women’s freestyle contest gave them a welcome chance to show their skill and style to the crowds and warm up their routines ready for the freestyle world championships. With two rounds the contest was close and drew on all the resources early on to get through to the final.
In the first heat Iballa Moreno E-63 (Mistral, North) went through with a convincing performance together with current overall women’s champion Karin Jaggi Z-14 (F2, Arrows). Both Iballa and her sister Daida E-64 (Mistral, North) looked comfortable sailing on their home beach and in the next heat Daida joined her sister in the final with Antonia Frey GR-1 (F2, Arrows).
Another final and another pair of siblings. This time it was Daida and Iballa. There were forward loops and willy skippers happening thick and fast. Daida put on a slick show whilst Iballa sailed well, taking what she could from every wave and moment of airtime.
In the end the sister’s performance convinced the judges, Daida taking first place ahead of Iballa. Karin was third and Antonia fourth.
After the announcement Daida was clearly pleased.
Daida, ”This is the first time I have sailed in freestyle since breaking my foot. I’m really happy to have won today.”
Karin was surprised to have been given third place and didn’t feel she sailed that well, the judges obviously not agreeing with her self-criticism.
After today’s impromptu performance from many of the sailors who will meet again next week we can be sure of a super charged event in Fuertevetura. It will be hard core action with everything to gain. The race for top positions in PWA Racing continues and the overall freestyle titleholders will be decided.
Stay tuned to http://www.world-windsurfing for all the latest news from the PWA World Tour.
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