PWA Fuerteventura
Start des 31. Fuerteventura Worldcups.
Vom 22. bis 31. Juli sind die Freestyler und Slalomracer wieder beim Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam „ready for action“ - gesponsert von René Egli. Die ersten fünf Tage der Veranstaltung wird den Freestylern gehören, die Herren haben ihren zweiten Wettkampf der Saison, während es für die Frauen der einzige Auftritt des Jahres wird, bei dem gleichzeitig auch der WM-Titel vergeben wird. Die restlichenTage des Events gehört dann den Slalomracern. Beim dritten Slalomevent dieses Jahres hoffen natürlich alle auf die typischen Fuerteventura Bedingungen – sehr starker Wind für die kleinen Boards und Segel zwischen 6.1 bis 7.0 . Quadratmetern. Die nächsten 10 Tage versprechen jedenfalls viel Action und Adrenalin auf Fuerteventura! Die Windprognose sieht sehr gut aus, so dass wir uns auf einen tollen Start des Events freuen können. Sie live dabei - klicke auf www.pwaworldtour.com und verpasse via PWA Live-Stream nicht von der Action. Alle aktuellen News, Starterliste, Bilder und einen Liveticker findest Du hier. From the 22nd-31st July the freestyle and slalom fleets will be returning to action for the Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam — sponsored by René Egli. The opening five days of the event will belong to the contortionists of the windsurfing world as the men prepare for their second battle of the season, while the women prepare for their sole appearance of the year with a world title up for grabs. The remainder of the event will then see the world’s fastest sailors return for their third instalment of warp speed slalom as the men’s title race starts to gather pace. The next ten days ahead promise to be action packed and adrenaline fueled as Fuerteventura’s famous nuclear strength winds prepare to test the mettle of the world’s elite once more. Sotavento is located on the Southeast coast of Fuerteventura and has developed a world-class reputation due to its year round sunshine, stunning golden beaches and most importantly, as its name suggests, strong winds, which create some of the most exhilarating conditions on the PWA World Tour. Fuerteventura is one of the most challenging stops on the tour for the freestylers, but it can also be one of the most rewarding when there is a swell running as it produces the perfect stunt ramps for the freestylers to launch into the latest aerial power moves, while the slalom fleet will be reaching for their smallest gear and trying to reach the end of the course unscathed. Freestyle Women’s Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins) enters the event as the overwhelming favourite. The lady from Aruba has already claimed 8 freestyle world titles, as well as 2 slalom world crowns, and she looks to have taken her sailing to the next level again with spock culos and kabikuchis in her reporter of tricks. Offringa will be fired up to seal a 9th freestyle world title and its hard to bet against her doing just that. Offringa’s biggest threat may again prove to be Oda Johanne (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins), who may have only been competing since 2013, but she has made a quick rise through the ranks and has finished the past two seasons as vice-world champion. The Norwegian copes well with Fuerte’s choppy waters and you can expect to see her fighting it out for top honours again. However, the likes of Maaike Huvermann (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins), who is the most exciting young talent on the world tour will be an even bigger threat this year. The 18 year old has finished 3rd overall for the last two seasons and has reportedly added culos and konos to her bag of tricks, which would make her an even bigger threat if she can bring them to the competition arena. Meanwhile, Arrianne Aukes (Fanatic / NorthSails / Maui Ultra Fins) will be looking to return to the podium having finished 5th overall last year. Aukes changed sponsors over the winter to Fanatic and NorthSails and you can expect to see a bold show from the 29 year old. Also battling it out for place in the top 5 and beyond will be Maxime van Gent (JP / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins), who also changed sponsors over the winter in a move that saw her return to JP and join NeilPryde, Yolanda Freites de Brendt (Fanatic / NorthSails) and Olya Raskina (JP / NeilPryde), who returns to the competition fray for the first time since 2014 after taking a year out after becoming a mother for the first time. Men’s Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic / NorthSails / MFC) proved any possible doubters wrong in Austria by claiming the opening victory of the year as he goes in quest of a 7th freestyle world crown. Gollito experienced his worst result to date on the PWA World Tour in 2015 — finishing 8th overall after having to withdraw after the first double elimination in Fuerte last year — but he will once again be the man to beat, particularly with Fuerteventura being his favourite event of the year. Amado Vrieswijk (JP / Severne) made an unbelievable come back in Austria, winning 9 heats on the bounce, to eventually finish in 2nd place, which was his best result to date. The Bonairean was able to beat Gollito in the final, but another victory in the super final proved a step too far on that occasion. However, if Vrieswijk can advance further through the single elimination in Fuerte then he stands a real chance at the title and you can expect to see another explosive performance again. Adrien Bosson (Fanatic / NorthSails / Maui Ultra Fins) will enter the event full of confidence having achieved his maiden podium in Austria. The Frenchman has added a new level of consistency to his game and holds all the moves necessary to challenge for top honours once more. The remainder of the Bonaire crew consisting of — Taty Frans (Starboard / GA Sails / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins), Kiri Thode (Starboard / GA Sails), Tonky Frans (Patrik / Sailloft Hamburg / AL360) and Youp Schmit (99NoveNove / Avanti) will be ones to watch carefully, with their island style always standing out from the crowd. Antony Ruenes (Tabou / GA Sails) made another solid start to the season and he currently stands 5th overall in the rankings. Expect to see more trademark no-handed burners as he pushes for another top 5 finish, while his fellow countrymen — Nicolas Akgazciyan (99NoveNove / Challenger Sails / Maui Ultra Fins) and Sam Esteve (JP / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins) will also be pushing for the top 10 and beyond. The Belgian contingent consisting of the reigning world champion — Dieter van der Eyken (Starboard / Severne) — the 2011 world champion — Steven van Broeckhoven (JP / NeilPryde / Shamal Sunglasses) and the exciting emerging talent of Yentel Caers (JP / NeilPryde) will all be major threats. Caers recorded the best result of the trio in Austria — 6th — and van der Eyken and van Broeckhoven will be looking to bounce back after slightly disappointing starts to the season, which saw both sailors finish in joint 9th. Elsewhere, Balz Müller (Patrik / Severne), will be looking to build upon an excellent start to the year, which saw him claim 7th in Austria, while the likes of Phil Soltysiak (Starboard / Sailworks), Davy Scheffers (Tabou / GA Sails), Hugo De Sousa (RRD / RRD / Maui Ultra Fins) will all be hoping to be battling it out in the latter stages of the contest. Also watch out for Jacopo Testa (RRD / RRD / AL360) after the Italian claimed 3rd place at the opening European Freestyle event the year. Men’s Slalom Pierre Mortefon (Fanatic / NorthSails) came agonisingly close to a maiden world title last year, finishing level on points with Antoine Albeau (RRD / NeilPryde), and the Frenchman has picked up exactly where he left off and currently leads the race for this year’s title after following up a 4th place finish in Korea with his first victory of the year in Costa Brava. The 26 year old seems equally adept in light or strong winds and he looks sure to be challenging for the top again as he looks to maintain his lead at the top of the rankings. However, Mortefon, will face stern competition, first and foremost from Matteo Iachino (Starboard / Point-7), who led the title race for much of last year and made a flying start to the year in Korea where he came out on top. A small blip in Costa Brava saw the Italian have to settle for 7th, but he looks to have made a seamless transition onto his new equipment and should be challenging for the top again. Iachino is still breathing down the neck of Mortefon, but will be doing everything in his power to overhaul the current world tour leader. Ross Williams (Tabou / GA Sails / Mystic / Shamal Sunglasses) has continued his fine form from 2015 and currently sits in 3rd place overall and will be looking to replicate his podium finish here last year as the Brit looks to keep himself in contention. Pascal Toselli (99NoveNove / Challenger Sails) has bounced back from a slightly disappointing end to last season with to two top 10 finishes — including 5th in Costa Brava. Toselli looks to have the bit between his teeth and looks lighting quick and should be involved again. Arnon Dagan (RRD / NeilPryde) entered the second event of the year in 15th place, but has risen to 5th in the current standings after an excellent 2nd place in Costa Brava and the Israeli will be looking to build upon that performance, while Steven Allen (Patrik / Severne) continues to perform unbelievably consistently. The Australian currently holds 6th overall after two top 10 results — 10th in Korea and 9th in Costa Brava, respectively. Andrea Cucchi (Starboard / Point-7) has been racing on the PWA World Tour for the last 20 years, but the Italian experienced his best performance to date in Costa Brava as he won the final elimination of the week to deservedly earn a maiden podium. Cucchi is extremely quick and if he can avoid making any errors then he’ll be a real threat again — as will Julien Quentel (Patrik / Avanti Sails) who currently holds 8th place. The season hasn’t gone to plan so far for reigning world champion — Antoine Albeau (RRD / NeilPryde) — and he currently finds himself in 9th place. However, the proud new father, holds an incredible 23 world titles to his name and you would expect him to bounce back with a vengeance. AA generally performs excellently under pressure and there’s now no room for error for the remainder of the season. Elsewhere you can expect to see the likes of Cyril Moussilmani (Starboard / Severne), Antoine Questel (Starboard / GA Sails), Malte Reuscher (JP / NeilPryde), Taty Frans (Starboard / GA Sails / Mystic), Gonzalo Costa Hoevel (Starboard / Point-7), Tristan Algret (Starboard / Severne / Mystic) and Jordy Vonk (Fanatic / NorthSails) all challenging for the top 10 again — with the latter coming into the event off the back of his best ever result — 4th in Costa Brava. You would also expect to see big performances from teammates Cedric Bordes (Tabou / GA Sails) and Ben van der Steen (Tabou / GA Sails / Mystic), who finished in 5th and 6th place last year, but currently find themselves outside of the top 16. The forecast looks as though it will be windy from the word go ensuring an explosive start to the event. Make sure you don’t miss any of the amazing action by tuning into www.pwaworldtour.com/— here you'll be able to follow the action as it happens via the PWA live stream. To see all the latest from the event — including the live stream, elimination ladders, entry list, images and live ticker simply click HERE and scroll to the bottom of the page.