The 2006 Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam Final Day

Venezuelan Freestyle sensation, Jose Estredo (V-1, Fanatic/North Sails) wins his first PWA Grand Slam after securing victory in the second double elimination in Sotavento, Fuerteventura. In the women’s battle Sarah-Quita Offringa (ARU-91 Starboard /Maui Sails) of Aruba, wins her first ever major event also winning both double eliminations.

The second double elimination got underway this morning in excellent conditions. The standard was off the scale today with winds blowing up to 30 knots and even the early heats certainly tested the judges. Kauli Seadi (BRA-253, Quatro/Naish) and Anthony Ruenes (F-85, Tabou/Gaastra) had to have a re-sail after a rare tie, but Seadi came out on top before losing his next heat against Kiri Thode (NB-61 Gaastra /Starboard).

Thode was looking dangerous after his defeat of Seadi, and next to suffer at his hands were Douglas Diaz (V-34, Fanatic/North), and world champion Ricardo Campello (V-111, JP/Neil Pryde) before he eventually lost to German freestyle specialist, Norman Günzlein (G-186, JP /NeilPryde). Günzlein skills in the choppy strong wind conditions really impressed the judges, especially when he beat form player, and many peoples favorite to win the event, Taty Frans (NB-9, Starboard /MauiSails). Günzlein also pushed Estredo really heard in the semi-final, daring to mimic the young Venezuelan’s signature move the Burner. A tight decision gave Estredo the verdict to face single elimination winner Antxon Otaegui (E-169, JP/NeilPryde).

Then in a cruel twist of fate Otaegui injured himself badly in the warm up preceding the final, handing Estredo the win. “I’m so sorry for Antxon, and I hope the injury is not serious for him” Estredo stated on being told the news. South America’s hottest talent even went on the water to give a solo performance regardless in a sporting gesture to his missing finalist. “Despite not completing the second double elimination I am super, super happy to win my first ever Grand Slam, and I will do all that I can possible to win the next one too! I trained so hard every day since last year for this moment, and to make a difference from last year – so far it seems to have paid off! I was really relaxed after the first double elimination final, and then I got nervous as Taty won. But my nerves eased when Taty lost the re-sail. It’s a shame Antxon was hurt as I really wanted to show him what I could do!”

High winds and choppy conditions challenged the women’s fleet today and an on-form Nayra Alonso (E-4, Fanatic/Severne) capitalized when she took the major scalp of Iballa Moreno (E-63, Mistral/North Sails). Alonso also beat experienced competitor Junko Nagoshi (J-11 F2 /Simmer) before she eventually lost to fellow Spaniard Silvia Alba (E-67). Alba was coping with the conditions well and presented a real threat to her next opponent Daida Moreno (E-64, Mistral/North Sails); but the multiple world champions variety of tricks and consistent execution of maneuvers spelt the end for Alba. Next up for Moreno was the single elimination runner up, 2006 debutant, Laure Treboux (SUI-4 Naish /Naish). Treboux had already beaten Moreno in the first single and double eliminations and must have gone into this encounter with a certain amount of confidence. But Moreno came out with all guns blazing, digging deep into her high wind repertoire with one-footed forwards, one-handed spocks and flakas. Treboux struggled in the lack of smooth water and Moreno advanced to the final against Offringa.

Moreno’s fight back against the new skool looked to be complete after the first of two finals, when the 16 year old Aruban fell on many moves whilst Moreno racked up the points. Moreno won and forced a re-sail to decide the double elimination winner. This time Offringa sailed tactically, and made shuvits spock combinations and a perfect flaka. “I fell a lot in the first final, but after I lost I actually relaxed, and because of that I focused and won…this first Grand Slam win means everything to me! The difference between this year and last year, my first year on tour, is in training as last season I tried many moves that I couldn’t complete under the pressure of competition; but now I can!’

Fuerteventura, especially for the women, as the numbers of talented ladies entering is growing and the standard is really high compared to previous seasons. I think it is important that the crowds who flock here, get to see just how exciting a show these athletes put on. In many sports there is a gulf between the men’s and ladies in terms of standard, but in windsurfing that gap is much narrower and a great spectacle for anyone watching. That’s why we really look forward to welcoming the women’s event back here in coming seasons’

The freestyle tour is now lead by two young talents who have lived up to all their expectations. Only time will tell if they have what it takes to stop their experienced rivals fighting back. One thing is for certain is the standard that is required continues to grow at a frightening pace as event the first round heats now highlight with the level of tricks performed.

Before the freestyle took over the action in Sotavento, some high adrenaline racing took place when the Slalom 42 fleet arrived.

Slalom 42

Antoine Albeau arrived as tour leader after a display of total domination in Gran Canaria. But, after two races on day one, it was Bjorn Dunkerbeck (E-11, North Sails) who built a lead by winning race one, and posting second in the next. It started to look as if Albeau might not have it all his way as Dunkerbeck fought back from the humiliating defeat he suffered on his home patch in Pozo. Karin Jaggi (Z-14, F2/North Sails) also immediately showed she meant business; taking three wins from the first three races in the women’s event.

By day two, with Albeau falling to third place, it was the fastest windsurfer in the world, Finian Maynard (KV-11 F2 /NeilPryde) who came to form and, as in Gran Canaria, showed how much of a consistent threat he is on his current form. Jaggi proved she is no unbeatable when she was beaten by Valerie Ghibaudo (FRA-444).

But Albeau was not going to lie down that easily, and on the third day he fought back and reclaimed the event lead, winning race 6 whilst Bjorn Dunkerbeck slumped to fourth position. A resurgent Micah Buzianis (US-34 JP /NeilPryde) leapfrogged Maynard to go second after easily winning race 5. Meanwhile in the women’s racing, Jaggi continued to dominate with only Valerie Ghibaudo posing any serious threat to her as they won a race each, although Jaggi had the final word by winning the third.

The tension on day four shone through when nerves struck the top players, and mistakes all round saw many disqualified for premature starts. Although amongst the guilty, Albeau was incredibly lucky and kept first position, and Buzianis, in second failed to capitalize on Albeau, Dunkerbeck’s, and Maynard’s mistakes, as one by one they found the pressure of the occasion too much for them, each getting sent back to the beach for early starting offences. After the race 8 final was continually delayed by so many re-starts, Jaggi managed to keep pole position in the women’s competition, despite disqualification from an earlier race herself.

There was everything to play for on the final day in both the men’s and ladies fleets, with victory by no means guaranteed for leaders Albeau and Jaggi. After a morning of teasing winds, racing eventually got underway in the late afternoon. Albeau and Jaggi were sure to stamp their authority, both earning final race wins to take the men’s and women’s event titles. With more mistakes all-round it was Maynard who won the battle for second ahead of Buzianis in third.

Over five thrilling days of racing, the excellent Slalom 42 section of this event came to a close after a total of 9 men’s races, and the maximum of 15 women’s races were completed. Albeau started this event looking as if he was about to repeat his excellent form at the start of the tour. Then, a couple of poor showings by the Frenchman meant that Dunkerbeck took the driving seat over the next two days. Meanwhile the race for second and third place hotted up between Maynard and Buzianis. The nerves and mistakes all-round on day four allowed Albeau to re-claim the lead as Dunkerbeck slumped to fifth. Maynard was Albeau’s biggest threat throughout this event and remains a true force to be reckoned with approaching the last two events of this tour.

Karin Jaggi has showed once again her all-round pedigree as one of the greatest female windsurfers in history. With unquestionably the best tactics, board speed and turning ability, Jaggi truly deserves another racing event title. Ghibaudo, her closest racing rival, is perhaps the only figure in the women’s sport able to threaten Jaggi for now. Allison Shreeve (AUS-911, F2 /NeilPryde) has also showed promise, but despite her success on the Formula windsurfing scene has yet to show the level of turning skills required to compete at PWA Slalom 42, although her starting skills, tactical awareness and speed are excellent.

The PWA tour now rolls on to Alacati Turkey for the IFCA Slalom World Championships /PWA Slalom 42 World Cup from July 31st through August 7th.

Be sure to stay tuned to http://www.pwaworldtour.com/ throughout the event for news, live updates, daily summaries and more.

The 2006 Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam Day Nine

Jose Estredo (V-1, Fanatic/North Sails) wins the double elimination at Sotavento after a nail-biting re-sail with Taty Frans (NB-9, Starboard/MauiSails). But it’s Antxon Otaegui (E-169, JP/NeilPryde) who finishes the day on a high, winning the second single elimination final against event leader Estredo. Meanwhile the old-skool of women’s Freestyle are swept aside as Sarah-Quita Offringa (ARU-91 Starboard /MauiSails) beats Laure Treboux (SUI-4 Naish /Naish) in the both today’s finals, cementing the arrival of a new generation.

A day full of drama kicked off when Taty Frans staged an incredible fight back in the men’s double elimination. Frans, who’d crashed out early in the single elimination, advanced all the way to the finals by beating Anthony Ruenes (F-85, Tabou /Gaastra), Kiri Thode (NB-61 Gaastra /Starboard), and his brother Tonky Frans (NB-7 F2 /Gaastra), before facing up to single elimination victor Estredo. In the first of two finals, Frans played to the crowd and looked superior as he racked up trick after trick including a ponch into flaka! After careful consideration the judges awarded Frans the win, which meant there had to be a re-sail to decide the winner. As tension mounted on the beach the battle re-commenced. Both sailors were pulling double flakas, ponch flakas and then ‘Golito’ Estredo pulled his trademark burner (A funnel ponch), and a massive one-handed shaka to take a narrow victory with a 3 to 2 decision from the judging panel.

Laure Treboux completed a spirited fight back in the women’s double elimination by beating Yoli de Brendt (V-26 Fanatic /North), Iballa Moreno (E-63, Mistral/North Sails), Silvia Alba (E-67), and Daida Moreno (E-64, Mistral/North Sails) on her way to the final against single elimination winner Offringa. In an epic semi-final against Daida Moreno, the Swiss freestyle specialist nailed a grubby diablo and clew first puneta to seal the win over the reigning Queen of freestyle. The final against Offringa certainly entertained the crowds, but Offringa’s range of switch stance moves and a smooth flaka gave her a unanimous verdict from the judges.

The second single elimination was scheduled to start immediately as there were excellent conditions for competition. The day of surprises continued in the new seeding as Victor Fernandez (E-42 Fanatic /Simmer) crashed out early to Nicholas Akgazciyan (F400 NeilPryde), and Anthony Ruenes (F-85, Tabou /Gaastra) fell out of the running after his downhaul exploded ending his hopes of advancing. More big names fell with Kauli Seadi (BRA-253, Quatro /Naish), and world champion Ricardo Campello (V-111, JP/Neil Pryde) also under-performing once again. One of the most impressive performances of the day was by Norman Günzlein (G-186, JP /NeilPryde) who battled through from the first round heats all the way to the loser’s final, beating Ruenes, Campello, and Kiri Thode (NB-61 Gaastra /Starboard), before losing to Estredo in the semi finals.

The real dark horse of today was Antxon Otaegui, whose smooth repertoires in the difficult choppy conditions booked him a place in the final against Estredo. On top of all the normal moves both sailors were pulling huge air flakas, switch stance flakas and shakas, but then Otaegui suddenly landed a perfect air chacho. Unbelievably Estredo then threw an air chacho of his own in response, right behind Otaegui. After taking all the performance criteria into account gave the judge’s decision swung in favor of Otaegui with a 3-2 verdict giving the Spaniard the last laugh of the day.

Despite today’s insane action and drama, the focus now shifts to tomorrow’s second double elimination, and a positive forecast for action promises to give a fascinating conclusion to this event. It seems Estredo really is the man to beat this year, as so far in 2006 it has been young talent setting the pace, despite Taty Frans appearing to be the young Venezuelans principal threat for this event title. It could be that an experienced head like Frans might just have what it takes. In the women’s fleet the pressure must be all on Laure Treboux as the only one who can push Offringa hard for the event title.

The 2006 Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam Day Eight

Jose Estredo (V-1, Fanatic/North Sails) and Sarah-Quita Offringa (ARU-91 Starboard /MauiSails) stay unchallenged for now as a lack of wind stops the double elimination being completed at Sotavento.

It was a long hot day at the beach for competitors waiting to complete the double elimination at Sotavento, Fuerteventura today. But even without wind the carnival atmosphere at the event site rocked on with large crowds rubbing shoulders with the stars, and enjoying the atmosphere around the 3000 sqm party tent.

The forecast for tomorrow is positive with typical trade winds set to return.

Be sure to stay tuned to http://www.pwaworldtour.com/ throughout the event for news, live updates, daily summaries and more.

The 2006 Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam Day Seven

Taty Frans (NB-9, Starboard/MauiSails) and Laure Treboux (SUI-4 Naish /Naish) advance through the first double elimination at Sotavento, as world champion Ricardo Campello (V-111, JP/NeilPryde) crashes out early once again. Single Elimination winners, Jose Estredo (V-1 Fanatic /North) and Sara-Quita Offringa (ARU-91 Starboard /MauiSails) were on standby today, and must be beaten twice by anyone intending to take their event leads.

Competitors spent most of the day waiting, and as the wind teased it looked increasingly unlikely any competition would take place. Then, excellent late afternoon conditions materialized, and the action kicked off.

After a poor showing in the single elimination many people were expecting a fight back from 3 times, and reigning world champion Ricardo Campello (V-111, JP/Neil Pryde). Everything looked on-course for the 21-year-old Venezuelan as he beat a spirited Matteo Guazzoni (I-711 RRD /Simmer), before winning a tough heat against Hawaiian Nick Warmuth (US-36 Starboard /Gaastra). But Campello’s campaign came off the rails when he was comprehensively knocked-out by Bonaire style master Taty Frans (NB-9, Starboard /MauiSails). Like yesterday, there was further upset when Kauli Seadi (BRA-253, Quatro/Naish) was defeated by the innovative French trickster, Thomas Traversa (F-3, Tabou /Gaastra). Traversa and Frans eventually met each other in heat 62, and it was Frans who came up smiling with a hard fought win.

On the other side of the draw Leo Ray (F-200 Naish /Naish) had a good day, beating Andy ‘Bubble’ Chambers (K-540 Tabou /Gaastra) and Andre Paskowski (G-2, F2 /North) before he finally lost to Antxon Otaegui (E-169 JP /NeilPryde). Otaegui was on fire today, excelling in the choppy conditions, but against Frans he just fell too much whilst Frans pulled an outrageous double flaka, and compounded his win with a switch-stance chacho-into-flaka combo!

With form like this, many think Taty Frans could go all the way. But, it’s worth remembering that he’d have to beat yesterday’s top four riders - Anthony Ruenes (F-85, Tabou /Gaastra), Kiri Thode (NB-61 Gaastra /Starboard), brother, Tonky Frans (NB-7 F2 /Gaastra) and then beat Jose Estredo TWICE before even thinking about taking the event lead!

Ruenes and Estredo were seen out practicing today and with tricks like the Batel (A funnel-brabu…) not seen on a judges sheet yet, there’s no doubt the final stage action will be the best ever seen in PWA Freestyle competition.

The 2006 Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam Day Six

Big names tumble as young talent forces its way to the top at Sotavento today. Jose Estredo (V-1, Fanatic/North Sails) wins the first freestyle single elimination, beating Tonky Frans (NB-7 F2 /Gaastra) in a thrilling final. Sarah-Quita Offringa (ARU-91 Starboard /MauiSails) finally realizes her potential beating Daida Moreno (E-64, Mistral/North Sails) in the women’s final.

The early heats of the men’s single elimination were stacked with talent, and it really was true to say that there were no easy heats. Even so, the first signs of upsets ahead came when Kiri Thode (NB-61 Gaastra /Starboard) knocked out established competitor Remko de Weerd (H-23 Gaastra /Fanatic). 16 yr old Thode, seen regularly pulling triple flakas in free sailing, has competed on the PWA for the past few years, but it seems off season training has really paid off. Thode then went on to take an even bigger scalp when he out-sailed Douglas Diaz (V-34, Fanatic /North). As if this was not enough for the young Bonaire hotshot, he stunned the crowds by beating top class competitor Victor Fernandez (E-42 Fanatic /Simmer) to book his place in the semi-final.

Further upset came when young Brazilian Marcilio Browne (BRA-105, Naish/Naish) beat his friend and training partner Kauli Seadi (BRA-253, Quatro/Naish) - 3rd overall in freestyle in 2005. As if that wasn’t enough, next to fall was reigning, and three times world freestyle champion Ricardo Campello (V-111, JP/NeilPryde). He fell to a solid performance from Tonky Frans, who pulled nearly every trick out of the bag in the difficult, choppy conditions. Campello fell a lot trying technical moves in the rougher sections of the competition area, leaving Frans to advance all the way to the final.

The other finalist was Jose ‘Golito’ Estredo, who’d advanced easily from the early rounds before living up to recent promise as he beat Taty Frans (NB-9, Starboard/MauiSails) for a semi-final place. In that semi he ended Thode’s hopes of advancing any further, with the highest number of tricks on a heat sheet for the day!

In the ladies competition the absence of Karin Jaggi (Z-14, F2/North Sails) meant that two recent high performers, Sara-Quita Offringa, and Laure Treboux (SUI-4 Naish /Naish) met each other in the second round. Offringa looked dangerous as she made more moves in the choppy conditions and her diversity of tricks, on both port and starboard tack, earned her a slot in the semi-final against Iballa Moreno (E-63, Mistral /North Sails). Once more Offringa showed superior skill with a range of switch stance moves, flakas and shuvits. Daida Moreno advanced easily to the final after convincing wins in the first two rounds.

Moreno started the final badly, crashing a spock and then also failing to complete several other tricks as Offringa pulled a clean spock, a flaka and a shuvit. Offringa did fall a couple of times but Moreno was uncharacteristically inconsistent, and despite a great flaka, and a one handed spock, was falling too much and struggling with the lack of smooth water, just as many of the top-seeded men did. A unanimous decision from the judges gave the young Aruban a most deserved victory.

The men’s final showed a mind blowing standard despite the lack of flat water for sliding tricks. Frans made all the usual spock combinations, flakas and a shaka, but raised the bar with an E-Slider Diablo, air flaka and a one handed switch-stance Chacho Diablo. But Estredo had other ideas, and landed a ‘Burner’ – a funnel ponch, a Goyter, and a Gozzada. The score sheets were pretty equal on style, but Estredo’s scores were higher for Diversity and technical skill giving him a unanimous 5 – 0 victory among the judges.

The word on the beach before today was that Estredo could take the event win this season. Today has certainly proven just how dangerous he is, but no-one is writing off Ricardo Campello just yet and, as the early heats of the double elimination have started, all eyes tomorrow morning will be on whether the 3 times world champion will fight his way back through. There’s also the danger of a resurgent Daida Moreno who will be guaranteed to come out with all guns blazing tomorrow. With a possible four double eliminations possible this week, who knows what could happen yet?

The 2006 Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam Day Five

Antoine Albeau (F-192 Starboard /NeilPryde) and Karin Jaggi (Z-14, F2 /North) stamp their authority with final race wins to take the men’s and women’s event titles. With mistakes all round it was Finian Maynard (KV-11 F2 /NeilPryde) who won the battle for second ahead of Micah Buzianis (US-34 JP /NeilPryde) in third.

There was everything to play for today in both the men’s and ladies fleets, with victory by no means guaranteed for leaders Albeau and Jaggi. After a morning of teasing winds, racing got underway at lunchtime. The final of race seven was pending but the wind was not strong enough to complete this type of full fleet start due to the extra turbulence involved. Race eight was competed yesterday so the decision to run race nine was taken.

Men’s Race Nine

Failing to advance from the qualifying heats were Arnon Dagan (ISR-1, Fanatic /NeilPryde) and Patrick Diethelm (ITA-120 F2 /North) after premature starts. Another surprise came when in the first semi-final Bjorn Dunkerbeck (E-11 T1 / North) was disqualified himself for an early start. This was great news for Albeau, Buzianis and Maynard. Dunkerbeck unsurprisingly had little trouble in winning the losers final.

Albeau and Maynard took the boat end options for the start of the final and Kevin Pritchard (US-3 Starboard /MauiSails) took his typical downwind end tactic. Pritchard was seen heading upwind hard approaching the first mark as Albeau and Maynard bore down on him. Albeau rounded first and Maynard made sure he was next rounding just ahead of Pritchard.

Albeau still lead Maynard and Pritchard by the third mark, and by the final reach he extended his lead even further with great speed, whilst Maynard did all he could to keep Pritchard from passing him. Albeau won easily and Maynard came second ahead of Pritchard in third.

Women’s Race Thirteen

Valerie Ghibaudo (FRA-444) was first out of the blocks at the start and won the race to the first gybe mark. Jaggi tried desperately to pass her inside at that gybe, but just couldn’t get the exit speed she needed. Ghibaudo lead over the next two reaches and around the third gybe mark, as Jaggi fended off Sarah Herbert (FRA-61 Starboard /Naish). Just behind Herbert was Allison Shreeve (AUS-911, F2 /NeilPryde) who tried to make a move to pass Herbert using the inside line, but Herbert’s gybing skills kept meant Shreeve stayed behind for the time being. Burning along the fourth reach Shreeve finally found the speed to pass Herbert. Ghibaudo won with Jaggi claiming second and Shreeve third.

Women’s Race Fourteen

Shreeve started at the boat end whilst Jaggi chose the pin end, but it was Jaggi who had the most speed approaching mark one, with Ghibaudo just behind. Shreeve, in third, tried once more to go inside Ghibaudo without success, leaving Jaggi and Ghibaudo racing neck and neck throughout the second reach. As Jaggi and Ghibaudo got carried away with their private drag race they put huge distance between themselves and third placed Shreeve. The final reach saw another good battle as Herbert and Shreeve fought for third place. Jaggi won and Ghibaudo came second whilst Herbert impressively gained third position.

Men’s Race Seven Final

Improving conditions meant the pending race seven final could be completed, although there were a couple of disqualifications for early starters Diony Guadagnino (V-69 Mistral /NeilPryde), and Pieter Bijl (NED-0, Fanatic /NeilPryde).

Dunkerbeck chose the boat end at the start as Pritchard and Buzianis went for the downwind option, and Albeau chose to start just upwind of centre. Albeau seemed to have chosen the right option as, without even being at full speed, he managed to beat Buzianis to the first gybe. Just behind Buzianis was Maynard who just brushed past the American, who then fell as a subsequent crash caused all the rushing traffic to go down. In the meantime Albeau pulled ahead on the second reach as Maynard and Pritchard fled the carnage behind them. Dunkerbeck had also survived by gybing wide, and did his best to catch Pritchard through the next two reaches. By the fourth reach Albeau was far ahead, despite Maynard showing awesome speed putting a lot of distance between him and Pritchard. Albeau won and Maynard came second ahead of Pritchard in third. Dunkerbeck rolled in fourth but it was Buzianis who hurt the most as his eighth place finish meant he dropped from second to third in the event rankings.

Women’s Race Fifteen

Good conditions gave the chance to run a fifteenth race for the ladies, reaching the maximum figure the rulebook allows.

Jaggi got a less than ideal start as Ghibaudo and Shreeve pulled away from the start line ahead of her. Jaggi stayed in third after the leaders rounded the first mark, but on the second reach she passed Shreeve, and then went around mark two in second. At the third gybe Jaggi had caught up with, and tried to get inside of Ghibaudo, but the tough French competitor was too quick away from her turn. During the fourth reach, Jaggi chose to point upwind and then bear down on Ghibaudo at the final mark. This wise choice meant she swooped past Ghibaudo, from tight inside to the mark, and flew into the final reach at full speed.

There was another classic drag race between these great racing rivals approaching the finish line, with Ghibaudo briefly re-claiming the lead, before Jaggi slammed into top gear and sped over the line to win. Ghibaudo came second, miles ahead of Shreeve in third.

Competition was over for the day and so the excellent Slalom 42 section of this event came to a close. Albeau started this event looking as if he was about to repeat his excellent form shown at the recent Gran Canaria PWA Grand Slam. Then, a couple of poor showings by the Frenchman, meant that Dunkerbeck took the driving seat over the next two days. Meanwhile the race for second and third place hotted up between Maynard and Buzianis. Widespread nerves and mistakes all-round on day four let Albeau re-claim the lead as Dunkerbeck slumped to fifth. Maynard was Albeau’s biggest threat throughout this event and remains a true force to be reckoned with approaching the last two events of this tour.

Karin Jaggi has showed once again her all-round pedigree as one of the greatest female windsurfers in history. With unquestionably the best tactics, board speed and turning ability, Jaggi truly deserves another racing event title. Ghibaudo, her closest rival is perhaps the only figure in the women’s sport able to threaten Jaggi for now in Slalom.

The event now changes gear and flips into freestyle mode until July 31st. The tension is mounting at Sotavento as mind-bending, brand new moves are seen as the world’s best warm up in freesailing frenzy. Skippers’ meeting is at 09.30 tomorrow.

The 2006 Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam Day Four

Nerves strike the top players as mistakes all round see many disqualified. Amongst the guilty, Antoine Albeau (F192 Starboard /NeilPryde) stays lucky in first position, Micah Buzianis (US-34 JP /NeilPryde) fails to capitalize on the mistakes of others in second and Karin Jaggi (Z-14, F2 /North Sails) keeps pole position in the women’s competition, despite one

Light winds meant a break in the action this morning and all sailors hung out at the beach waiting for wind. Eventually the wind increased just enough in the late afternoon to allow racing, although it was not windy enough to finish yesterday’s half-fleet final. This is because in lighter winds, that amount of sailors on the start line creates too much turbulence. A regular ladder was drawn up and race eight nominated to start with the final of race seven to stay pending.

Men's Race Eight

In the qualifying heats brothers Sylvain Moussilmani (F-73 F2 /Simmer) and Cyril Moussilmani (F-71, Fanatic /North Sails) repeated yesterday performance by both winning their Race 8 heats. Peter Volwater (H-24 F2 /North Sails) and Ross Williams (GBR-83, Tabou /Gaastra) both missed the cut, having to settle for the loser’s final spots. In that loser’s final there was a mass disqualification as all but four riders were sent back to the beach for crossing the line too early. This left a four-man heat, which Ben van der Steen (NED-57, Exocet /Naish) won easily.

The starting problems continued in the winner’s final, as one by one some of the main players fell out of the game. First event leader Antoine Albeau was the guilty party; he must have made the whole fleet nervous, as on the re-start, Bjorn Dunkerbeck (E-11 T1 /North Sails) made a false start himself. With Albeau and Dunkerbeck out, Micah Buzianis (US-34 JP /NeilPryde), and Finian Maynard (KV-11 F2 /NeilPryde) couldn’t believe their luck. Unbelievably, on the third attempt, Maynard slipped out of the blocks prematurely, leaving Buzianis the chance to take the event lead.

The fourth and final start was clean and Steve Allen (AUS-0 Tabou /Gaastra) was away first and rounded mark one ahead of Sylvain Moussilmani (F-73 F2 /Simmer) and Patrick Diethelm (ITA-120 F2 /North). But during the second reach the sail of Pieter Bijl (NED-0, Fanatic/NeilPryde) could be seen steaming through the pack, and into third place after the second gybe. Allen held his own along the third reach and around the fourth mark, as Moussilmani slipped to third behind Bijl. On the final reach to the finish line Allen did all he could to hold Bijl, off but the flying Dutchman took Allen’s wind and crossed first to take the win. Allen rolled in second and Moussilmani took a well-deserved third.

Ladies Race Eleven

The trend of early starts plagued event leader Karin Jaggi in the eleventh race who had to sit out the race after the re-start. Femke van der Valk (NED-19 F2 /MauiSails) won the re-start and raced down the first reach pursued by Marie Andres (E-2 Starboard) and Valerie Ghibaudo (FRA-444). On the second reach Ghibaudo sped into the lead as Allison Shreeve (AUS-911, F2 /NeilPryde) forced her way past Andres into second. Ghibaudo rounded the third mark first and Shreeve fell letting Andres back into second and Verena Fauster (ITA-31 F2 /Gaastra) past into third. Over the fourth and final reach Ghibaudo extended her lead as Fauster and Shreeve both overtook Andres. Ghibaudo won easily and Fauster came second with Shreeve in third.

Ladies Race Twelve

Karin Jaggi made up for her disqualification in the previous race by getting an excellent upwind, boat end start. She was chased by Shreeve and Ghibaudo towards the first gybe, and along the next two reaches. Ghibaudo overtook Shreeve at the third mark, leaving her struggling to get on the plane. Jaggi and Ghibaudo then put huge distance between themselves and Shreeve over the final reach. Jaggi won clearly and Ghibaudo took second. Shreeve sped home in third.

There’s no change at the top of the men’s ranking overnight and the final day tomorrow is set to bring a spectacular finish to both the men’s and ladies competitions. Skippers’ meeting tomorrow is set for 09.30. The countdown to the final races here has begun.

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

The 2006 Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam Day Three, 24th July

Antoine Albeau (F192 Starboard /NeilPryde) reclaims the event lead after six races, as Bjorn Dunkerbeck (E-11 T1 /North Sails) slumps to fourth position. A resurgent Micah Buzianis (US-34 JP /NeilPryde) leapfrogs Finian Maynard (KV-11 F2 /NeilPryde) to take second. Karin Jaggi (Z-14, F2 /North Sails) continues to dominate with only Valerie Ghibaudo (FRA-444) threatening her.

There were pretty gusty conditions this morning but there was enough wind to start racing after the morning skippers’ meeting. First to go was men’s race five.

Men’s Race Five

Most of the main players made it out of the qualifying heats with Cyril Moussilmani (F-71, Fanatic/North Sails) especially lucky to advance. Two of yesterday’s top performers, Finian Maynard, and Pieter Bijl (NED-0, Fanatic/NeilPryde) clearly won their heats, as did Albeau. Arnon Dagan (ISR-1, Fanatic /NeilPryde), who had a poor performance in the first semi-final, had a great drag race with Patrick Diethelm (ITA-120 F2 /North) to win an exciting loser’s final.

In the final, Pieter Bijl’s hopes of consolidating yesterday’s race 4 win were broken when he went over the start line too early and was disqualified. On the re-start Kevin Pritchard (US-3 Starboard /MauiSails) took his trademark downwind end start whilst Maynard and Dunkerbeck took the upwind route. Everyone on the beach wondered which option would work best. At first it looked as if Maynard was going to get there first, but as it turned out it was Micah Buzianis (US-34 JP /NeilPryde), in the middle of the pack, who rounded the mark first, followed by Cyril Moussilmani who just escaped the carnage behind him as many racers fell.

By the third mark Buzianis could be seen extending his lead ahead in the clean air. Meanwhile Albeau and Pritchard streaked through the following pack, as Dunkerbeck struggled in last position after the first mark chaos. Pritchard and Albeau passed Cyril Moussilmani, their last obstacle between them and Buzianis, on the final straight but could not catch last years joint world champion. Buzianis won and Albeau came second ahead of Pritchard.

Dunkerbeck’s mistakes meant he sank to second, and that Albeau shot back into the event lead at this stage

Women’s Race Eight

Valerie Ghibaudo got the best start ahead of Allison Shreeve (AUS-911, F2 /NeilPryde), and Karin Jaggi. Shreeve, who’s not matched the standard of her Formula windsurfing gybing skill in Slalom, did well to hold her position ahead of Jaggi at mark one. Ghibaudo kept the lead with a fast downwind line on the second reach, whilst Shreeve’s conservative, upwind line meant she had to go wide at the third gybe, lost speed and once more opened the door for Jaggi to pass her. Ghibaudo extended her lead to win, Jaggi finished second after putting an incredible amount of distance between her and Shreeve who rolled home in third.

Women’s Race Nine

Both Jaggi and Shreeve got great starts to race nine, and although she led the way down the first reach, Shreeve was once more snaked by Jaggi gybing inside her at the first mark. Ghibaudo in third was chasing down Shreeve for the next few legs as Jaggi extended her already massive lead. Ghibaudo tried her best to catch Shreeve but just didn’t have the speed. Jaggi won by perhaps her largest margin yet and Shreeve came second with Ghibaudo third.

Women’s Race Ten

Shreeve got the best start to race ten and sped down the first reach until once more she fell at the first mark, letting Jaggi past into the lead and Ghibaudo into the number two slot. Jaggi showed remarkable speed during the rest of the race and put an even bigger distance between her and Ghibaudo than she had with Shreeve in race nine. Shreeve had really lost her focus in the shifting winds, and after struggling to make the final gybe mark, allowed Marie Andres (E-2 Starboard) to skillfully take her opportunity to pass. Jaggi won by a country mile and Ghibaudo scored another second as Andres took a well-deserved third.

Men’s Race Six

The semi-finals of race 6 were tough and Taty Frans (NB-9, Starboard/MauiSails) did well to advance into the final from the first semi, whilst Ross Williams just missed out. In the other semi Ben van der Steen (NED-57, Exocet /Naish) also missed the cut.

Albeau got a perfect start to the final, charging towards the first gybe in front of Maynard and Buzianis, whilst Dunkerbeck had another nightmare and fell at the first mark. Buzianis looked to be on a mission after some poor performances by his standards recently. He won the speed run against Maynard towards the second mark and, although Maynard tried desperately to get a line inside of Buzianis as they gybed, he could not find his way and just missed out. Albeau just kept on extending his lead with the sort of speed he showed in Gran Canaria. In the end it was an easy win for Albeau, while Buzianis settled for second and Maynard third.

Men’s Race Seven

Race Director Juan Antonio Aragon called for a half fleet race with two 21 man heats to decide which 11 riders would advance to a 22 man final. Shifting winds made the crews life difficult as the course needed amendments, but the race eventually got underway late in the afternoon.

The two spectacular 21 man starts gave the crowd a real treat as they raced towards the beach. Sylvain Moussilmani (F-73 F2 /Simmer) came out on top of heat one, and unbelievably it was his older brother Cyril Moussilmani, who won the second heat! The final was delayed with a general re-call and then eventually abandoned before the start as the wind dropped and ended competition for the day.

After 10 women’s races and nearly completing the seventh men’s race the results have changed dramatically from last night. Dunkerbeck looks to have lost his grip and Albeau seems to be finding form again. Who will come out on top? Will Ghibaudo be able to challenge Jaggi? To find out, please check www.pwaworldtour.com