PWA Surf World Cup Podersdorf 2016

Eigentlich wollte ich die PWA ja zukünftig ignorieren. Aber zumindest UNS geht es ja um den Sport...

Event Preview: The freestylers prepare to set the 2016 PWA World Tour alight in Podersdorf

After a 5 month break it’s that time of year again as the PWA World Tour gets set to begin in 2016. Like last year it will be the contortionists of the windsurfing world who are given the honour of raising the curtain on this year’s tour — and they’ll be hoping to do it in explosive and spectacular fashion.

Podersdorf, Austria, is where the men’s freestyle fleet will be preparing to descend upon as Neusiedler See prepares to play host, one final time, to the elite of the freestyle world between the 4th-8th May.

Austria may seem like a strange place for the opening stop of the tour at first glance — due to the fact that it is landlocked, but this is one of the reasons which makes the event so wonderfully unique. Podersdorf itself is located about an hours drive southeast from Vienna and here you’ll find the famed Neusiedler See, which has a history of being one of the most unpredictable spots on the tour. In previous years we’ve had anything from freezing cold nuclear winds, accompanied by torrential rain, to glorious sunshine and lighter thermal breezes, which you wouldn’t be blamed for associating with a Mediterranean climate. Either way Podersdorf never disappoints and you can expect to see more explosive action than ever on the water, while thousands of party goers will be soaking up the festival like atmosphere long into the night.

Ones to Watch

As the reigning world champion Dieter Van der Eyken (Starboard / Severne) will be the man that everyone has to beat. The Belgian was in inspired form during 2015 — beginning the year with a 4th place finish in France — his best result at that point — before blowing the competition out of the water to claim a maiden event victory in Fuerteventura, which ultimately provided Van der Eyken with a well deserved maiden world title. The 24 year old was slightly hampered with a foot injury during his time in Australia this winter, but is reportedly back to full fitness and he’ll be looking to make an explosive start to his title defence.

However, Van der Eyken, will face a stern test with a seemingly never ending list of challengers waiting to take him down. Fellow countryman, Steven Van Broeckhoven (JP / NeilPryde), was leading last year’s tour after an emphatic victory in France, before an injury ended his title aspirations for 2015. Now the 30 year old will be raring to go again and you can expect to see him charging for the top.

6-time PWA Freestyle World Champion — Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic / North / MFC) — also suffered a similar fate to his title challenge last year as a bout of chicken pox forced Gollito to withdraw from Fuerteventura after winning the opening double elimination. The Venezuelan reportedly has a niggling shoulder injury, but that shouldn’t stand in the way of a big start — especially when many people believe he’s more dangerous and more competitive after relinquishing his world crown.

Kiri Thode (Starboard / GA Sails) has been agonisingly close to adding to his sole world title — claimed in 2013 — having finished as the vice-world champion in both years since. The Bonairean is one of the most stylish performers in the world and always performs, which will see him in the thick of the action again.

Amado Vrieswijk (JP / Severne) has been knocking on the door for the past two seasons with 3rd and 4th place finishes respectively and many feel that he will be one of the top contenders for the title this year if he can bring his freesailing into the competition zone. The 20 year old is pulling off double air culos on both tacks together with air kabikuchis and many more combinations, so there is no doubt he possesses all the tricks in his arsenal to come out on top. Vrieswijk will also be able to take confidence into the opening event of the year having won the second single elimination in Fuerteventura.

Of course the remainder of the Bonaire crew will pose a serious threat too with the legendary Frans brothers Tonky (Patrik / Sailloft Hamburg / AL360) and Taty (Starboard / GA Sails / Mystic), who both ooze style and have been battling it out at the top since they started competing. Tonky also changed sponsors over the winter to Patrik and Sailloft Hamburg, so he’ll be hoping to make a bright start on his new equipment. Meanwhile, Youp Schmit (99NoveNove / Avanti) has been able to enjoy an injury free winter and he’ll be coming into the season sharper than ever, while looking to re-establish his place in the overall top 10 having narrowly missed out in 2015.

Next up are the French duo of Nicolas Akgazciyan (99NoveNove / Challenger Sails / AL360 / Maui Ultra Fins) and Antony Ruenes (Tabou / GA Sails). Akgazciyan will come into the Austria full of confidence having achieved his best overall result to date last year — 4th overall, while Ruenes sailed through the pain barrier after injuring his foot in Fuerteventura to bravely secure 5th place. Both men will be fired up to make an emphatic start and you can expect them to be battling it out in the latter stages of the competition,

Davy Scheffers (Tabou / GA Sails) completed last season in 7th place overall and the Dutchman will be hoping to emulate the form which saw him earn his sole podium to date here in 2011. Scheffers is equally adept in light or strong winds, so no matter what the conditions bring he’ll be a force to be reckoned with.

Phil Soltysiak (Starboard / Sailworks) is never too far away from the action and you can expect to see another bold showing from the Canadian, who is one of the best competition sailors in the world, which is illustrated by the fact that he has finished in the overall Top 10 in 6 out of the last 7 years — with only an injury in 2014 spoiling his 100% record.

Also keep a close eye on Yentel Caers (JP / NeilPryde), who already started to show what he is capable of last year and has reportedly taken his sailing to another level again over the winter, and also Frenchmen Julien Mas (JP / Avanti), Adrien Bosson (Fanatic / North / Maui Ultra Fins) and Sam Esteve (JP / NeilPryde) as well as many more.

The level of freestyle looks as though it has gone through the roof over the winter with double air moves and triple pop power moves being landed left, right and centre, which means this year’s PWA Freestyle World Tour is set to be more explosive and spectacular than ever, while also being even more fiercely contested than ever before. Based on last year’s contests it seems that there are no easy heats anymore and that on their day almost anyone is capable of beating anyone, so it is going to be intriguing to see how the inaugural event of the year plays out. Don’t miss any of the enthralling action by tuning into www.pwaworldtour.com — here you’ll be able to stay up to date with the event via the live ticker and also find all of the latest images at the end of each day.

A Recap of the 2015 Men's Freestyle Overall Top 10:

1st Dieter Van der Eyken (Starboard / Severne)

2nd Kiri Thode (Starboard / GA Sails)

3rd Amado Vrieswijk (JP / Severne)

4th Nicolas Akgazciyan (99NoveNove / Challenger Sails / AL360 / Maui Ultra Fins)

5th Antony Ruenes (Tabou / GA Sails)

6th Taty Frans (Starboard / GA Sails / Mystic)

7th Davy Scheffers (Tabou / GA Sails)

8th Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic / North / MFC)

9th Tonky Frans (Patrik / Sailloft Hamburg / AL360)

10th Philip Soltysiak (Starboard / Sailworks)

Podersdorf

The opening day of the 2016 PWA Freestyle World Tour started in explosive fashion as winds gusting up to 40 knots battered Podersdorf for the entirety of the day. The sailors produced a fantastic performance as they not only had to contend with the howling winds and extremely choppy water, but also the icy cold biting wind. After an enthralling first day it is six-time PWA World Champion — Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic / North / MFC) — who sits at the top of the rankings after claiming victory in the single elimination.

Single Elimination
Winners’ Final

The opening winners’ final of the year saw an all Fanatic and North Sails line up as Adrien Bosson (Fanatic / North / Maui Ultra Fins) qualified for his first ever final after defeating reigning world champion — Dieter Van der Eyken (Starboard / Severne) — before going on to dispatch of Philip Soltysiak (Starboard / Sailworks) and Antony Ruenes (Tabou / GA Sails) to set up a meeting with Gollito Estredo.

The wind dropped slightly in the final allowing Gollito to change to his preferred 2016 4.8m while Bosson continued his inspired form by landing another massive air skopu, kabikuchi and culos on both sides, but with the wind dropping slightly the Frenchman looked a little underpowered at times. Meanwhile, Gollito, set out his stall early as he opened his account with an amazing no-handed burner 360 before really finding his groove as the final progressed. The Venezuelan landed skopus on both tacks as well as a stylish kabikuchi and a spock culo to take first blood in 2016 — He will now look to defend his single elimination crown when the double elimination resumes tomorrow, while Bosson is already guaranteed his best ever result and can be delighted with how he attacked today.


Taty Frans (Starboard / GA Sails / Mystic) secured third place by defeating Antony Ruenes (Tabou / GA Sails) in the losers’ final as the Bonairean produced a superb display with a perfect spock culo being the pick of the bunch. Ruenes landed another of his trademark no-handed burners, but it looked as though his earlier exertions had taken it out of him slightly by the time he was sailing his final heat of the day.

Balz Müller (Patrik / Severne) caused one of the upsets of the day as he defeated Steven Van Broeckhoven (JP / NeilPryde) in Heat 20b. The Swiss mixed it up completely as he combined radical culos with shuvit spocks and t-bones, while even attempting a double forward and his risky tactics were rewarded with a narrow victory over the top seed to take 5th place in the single alongside Kiri Thode (Starboard / GA Sails), Philip Soltysiak and Yentel Caers (JP / NeilPryde), who earned a hard fought victory against Amado Vrieswijk (JP / Severne). The Belgian then led against Gollito for the majority of the next heat — only for the Venezuelan to snatch victory from his claws in the final minute.

Van Broeckhoven, who was crowned world champion in 2011, had looked very dangerous in his heat prior to meeting Müller, but didn’t quite have the same rhythm and the Belgian will now have to fight his way back through the double elimination in order to get his title aspirations back on track.

Elsewhere Sam Esteve (JP / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins) impressed the judges with his aggressive approach with the young Frenchman flying through air skopus and air funnel burners to defeat Paul Simmerl (JP / NeilPryde), before claiming the scalp of Nicolas Akgazciyan (99NoveNove / Challenger Sails / AL360 / Maui Ultra Fins) in Heat 14b — Esteve then met Gollito in the next round which brought his single elimination to an end.


Double Elimination

With the wind still howling the competition rolled straight into the double elimination as several sailors began there comebacks with the opening two rounds of the double being completed just before sunset.

Max Rowe (Simmer), who has only been back on the water for a few months after breaking his ankle in November regained the winning feeling as he defeated Antoine Albert (Goya Windsurfing) and Yuma Kobayashi (Starboard / Severne) to setup a tie against Youp Schmit in the first heat up tomorrow. However, the Brit may receive a bye into the next round due to Schmit suffering a suspected torn calf, which led to the Bonairean having to retire from the resail of Heat 17a.

Meanwhile, Nico Akgazciyan, who finished 4th overall last year, also successfully started his comeback through the double elimination as he ended the hopes of Meiky Wieczorek (RRD / RRD) and Nic Hibdige (Tabou / GA Sails). The Frenchman will now face Tonky Frans in the next round.

Jacopo Testa (RRD / RRD) stole the show in Heat 30b against Loick Spicher (RRD / RRD) as the Italian landed one of, if not the move of the day as he launched into a huge air kabikuchi which he planed out of. After advancing past Spicher, Testa then also clinically dispatched of Rick Jendrusch (JP / Severne) with another air kabikuchi together with a one-handed, or no-handed culo, and a perfect spock culo doing the damage.

The Italian trio of Giovanni Passani (Tabou / GA Sails), Rossel Bertoldo (99NoveNove / NeilPryde) and Mattia Fabrizi (Fanatic / North) all made successful starts to their double elimination comebacks as they to progressed through the opening two rounds.

The skippers’ meeting for tomorrow has been called for 6am with the wind expected to be strong in the morning, which should hopefully allow the double elimination to be completed. If the conditions are suitable then the action will begin bright and early at 6:30am (GMT+2). Live updates will be available via the PWA live ticker and photos will be available at the end of the day.

Standings after Single Elimination of the PWA Surf World Cup Podersdorf — Men’s Freestyle

1st Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic / North / MFC)
2nd Adrien Bosson (Fanatic / North / Maui Ultra Fins)
3rd Taty Frans (Starboard / GA Sails / Mystic)
4th Antony Ruenes (Tabou / GA Sails)
5th Kiri Thode (Starboard / GA Sails)
5th Yentel Caers (JP / NeilPryde)
5th Philip Soltysiak (Starboard / Sailworks
5th Balz Müller (Patrik / Severne)

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The early skippers’ meeting paid off on day two as the remaining competitors in the double elimination were greeted to very different conditions to yesterday — with winds of 12-20 knots as opposed to 40 knots — but the temperature remained close to freezing. By mid morning the double elimination had been completed and Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic / North / MFC) now holds a commanding lead at the top of the event rankings having ended Amado Vrieswijk’s (JP / Severne) heroic comeback at the second time of asking in the super final.

The Top 4 celebrate - Gollito Estredo, Amado Vrieswijk, Taty Frans & Adrien Bosson (Left to Right)

Double Elimination

Amado Vrieswijk staged an amazing comeback through the double elimination as he fought his way back all the way to 2nd place — having finished joint 9th in the single elimination. The Bonairean was the standout sailor in the double as he won nine heats on the bounce by combining outstanding moves such as textbook kabikuchis on both tacks with powerful double culos to firstly take down Jacopo Testa (RRD / RRD), followed by Sam Esteve (JP / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins), Philip Soltysiak (Starboard / Sailworks) and Kiri Thode (Starboard / GA Sails) — before then exacting revenge against Yentel Caers (JP / NeilPryde) in Heat 47. From here Vrieswijk continued his inspired form as he defeated Antony Ruenes (Tabou / GA Sails), Taty Frans (Starboard / GA Sails / Mystic) and Adrien Bosson (Fanatic / North / Maui Ultra Fins) to setup a meeting with Gollito — which he duly won to force a Super Final.


Amado Vrieswijk firing on all cylinders

Super Final

Having forced a super final Vrieswijk and Gollito lined up against each other one more time to decide who would be crowned the champion of the double elimination. Both sailors produced another superb display, but with Vrieswijk sailing his 10th heat of the day, his exertions started to take their toll with the 20 year old battling cramps throughout the heat. Despite that he still managed to land another perfect double culo and kabikuchis on both tacks, but Gollito was in no mood to be defeated and he turned on the style to remain unbeaten. The Venezuelan landed no-handed culos, double culos and shuvit spocks on both tacks as he narrowly defeated Vrieswijk by under 3 points such was the closeness between the two sailors.


No stopping Gollito

Gollito reacts after defending his single elimination crown:“Thank you God for everything. Today I won the double elimination against my friend Amado Vrieswijk, I feel amazing the level I showed here was amazing, it's something that makes me eager to keep giving it everything in the water and take this flag well lejo, Last year was my worst year in competition and many thought that my level had dropped but it's always good to experience these things because they make you stronger. Thank you God — I’m always grateful of life.”


Gollito delighted with his efforts

Youp Schmit (99NoveNove / Avanti) was a major injury doubt ahead of today due to suffering a suspected torn calf yesterday, but despite the fact that he needed crutches to walk to and from the water the Bonairean still managed to somehow win a couple of heats against Max Rowe (Simmer) and Hugo de Sousa (RRD / RRD / Maui Ultra Fins) — with victory over the Brazilian protected his 9th place from the single elimination, which he was delighted about having sailed through the pain barrier. Schmit said: “My body has experienced pain like I’ve never experienced before today.” while still keeping a beaming smile on his face.


Youp Schmit battles through the pain

Single Elimination II

With the wind continuing to blow the competition rolled into a second single elimination, but only the first round and one heat in the second round were able to be completed before the wind became too fickle to compete anymore. The entire second single elimination must be counted in order to count towards the result, so at the moment the sailors well placed after the double elimination are in a commanding position with the forecast not looking particularly promising for the remaining three days. However, as we’ve seen on many occasions before that can easily change, so the sailors will have to stay prepared.

The skippers’ meeting has been called for 10am with the first possible start at 10:30am (GMT+2). If the wind remains light then tow-in will provide the entertainment with the first qualifying heat being held at 7pm tomorrow evening.

Standings after Double Elimination PWA Surf World Cup Podersdorf — Men’s Freestyle

1st Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic / North / MFC)
2nd Amado Vrieswijk (JP / Severne)
3rd Adrien Bosson (Fanatic / North / Maui Ultra Fins)
4th Taty Frans (Starboard / GA Sails / Mystic)
5th Antony Ruenes (Tabou / GA Sails)
6th Yentel Caers (JP / NeilPryde)
7th Balz Müller (Patrik / Severne)
7th Kiri Thode (Starboard / GA Sails)
9th Youp Schmit (99NoveNove / Avanti)
9th Dieter Van der Eyken (Starboard / Severne)
9th Philip Soltysiak (Starboard / Sailworks)
9th Steven Van Broeckhoven (JP / NeilPryde)

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As expected day three of the PWA Surf World Cup Podersdorf proved to be a day of rest for the majority of the fleet as light winds and wall-to-wall sunshine replaced the cold and windy weather. In the evening the opening tow-in qualification was held between 7pm and 8pm as 10 sailors battled it out for the first three qualification places for Sunday’s Final.


Stars on stage

Earlier we caught up with a few sailors to gain their thoughts on the event so far:

Amado Vrieswijk (JP / Severne): “What a ride yesterday morning was! Up at 5.30am, managed to win 9 heats in a row to force a super-final, which brought me to the 2nd place in the double-elimination.#GREATFEELING Congrats to the winner Gollito, Adrien Bosson and of course Taty Frans!”


Amado Vrieswijk

Kiri Thode (Starboard / GA Sails): “Not a good start for this season Had a big delay with the 2016 boards, so I could not train on them before the event. i had no 2016 board for months, but I received one of my boards just before the event, I was not feeling great on them. Luckily Dieter had an extra 2015 Flare91 which I could borrow, so thanks a lot Dieter Van der Eyken."


In the end I finished 7th in the double elimination and we had some epic conditions which was a great way to celebrate the last PWA event in Podersdorf. The Wind is not looking good for some more competition, so it's tow-in time. I'll keep my face up and get training on my new gear so I’ m ready Fuerte.”


Kiri Thode

Taty Frans (Starboard / GA Sails / Mystic): “It feels like all the endless hours and days on the water training in Bonaire during the winter time is paying off for both Amado and myself here in Austria. It's a good feeling to place 4th and a 2nd for Amado Vrieswijk in the double elimination - oooh yeah!”


All smiles for Taty Frans

Steven Van Broeckhoven (JP / NeilPryde): “I finished 9th in the first double elimination which was not really what I was hoping for. Congrats to the winners! There’s still a couple more days to go, so I hope I can improve my result.”


Steven Van Broeckhoven

The first tow-in qualification started at 7pm and each sailor was given two runs to show their best move. In the end Jamie Howard (JP / Severne) claimed a somewhat unexpected victory as he landed a perfect triple funnel. Meanwhile, Kiri Thode (Starboard / Tabou / GA Sails) also qualified with a double air funnel, while the final qualifying place went to Rick Jendrusch (JP / Severne), who also landed a triple funnel. Local boy — Max Matissek (Fanatic / North) — will now have to pin his hopes on being the lucky loser (4th placed sailor with highest score).

The forecast looks similar to tomorrow so the skippers’ meeting will be held at 10am once more with a first possible start of 10:30am — if conditions allow. In the likely event of no wind the second tow-in qualification will take place in the evening.

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The final day of the opening event of 2016 saw the glorious weather continue as wall-to-wall sunshine attracted people in their thousands to see the conclusion of the tow-in final — before seeing the winners’ of the event crowned during the official prize giving.


Davy Scheffers, Tonky Frans and Antoine Albert

Each of the 10 sailors in the final were given 3 opportunities to perform their most explosive manoeuvre, but as it turned out Tonky Frans (Patrik / Sailloft Hamburg / AL360) won the entire competition with his opening effort as the Bonairean stomped a skopu to see off the remainder of the fleet.


Tonky Frans mid skopu

Davy Scheffers (Tabou / GA Sails) secured second place with his final run as the Dutchman rotated through a perfectly executed double air funnel.


Davy Scheffers takes second

Meanwhile, Antoine Albert (Goya Windsurfing) secured the final place on the podium with a skopu of his own.


Antoine Albert secures final place on podium

After the tow-in the official prize giving was held as Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic / North / MFC) was crowned the champion and he takes an early lead in the battle for the title. At this stage of the season Amado Vrieswijk (JP / Severne) and Adrien Bosson (Fanatic / North / Maui Ultra Fins) are his closest rivals — with the latter earning his maiden podium.

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The opening event of the year on the 2016 PWA World Tour saw great conditions for the final event in Podersdorf, Austria, as winds gusting up to 40 knots battered Neusiedler See on the first day — creating an explosive start to the year — before the double elimination was completed on day two in 15-20 knots of breeze, but the victor remained the same with Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic / North / MFC) successfully defending his single elimination crown to take an early season lead.


All smiles for Jose 'Gollito' Estredo

The remainder of the event saw the icy cold winds replaced by wall-to-wall sunshine and temperatures into the mid-twenties, which saw people flocking in their thousands to view the tow-in, which was won by Tonky Frans (Patrol / Sailloft Hamburg / AL360) ahead of Davy Scheffers (Tabou / GA Sails) and Antoine Albert (Goya Windsurfing), while soaking up some rays, and enjoying a few drinks, before partying long into the night.


Tonky takes the tow-in

Some people may have been starting to doubt Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo’s level after experiencing his worst year in competition since he started competing — 8th place overall — but the Venezuelan answered any critics in perfect fashion by winning the opening event of the year in style as he unleashed the latest power move combinations with his instantly recognisable style. Gollito already has 6 world titles to his name and after his latest performance you wouldn’t want to bet against him making that 7 this year.

Gollito reacts after defending his single elimination crown:“Thank you God for everything, Today I won the double elimination against my friend Amado Vrieswijk, I feel amazing the level I showed here was amazing, it's something that makes me eager to keep giving it everything in the water and take this flag well lejo, Last year was my worst year in competition and many thought that my level had dropped but it's always good to experience these things because they make you stronger. Thank you God — I’m always grateful of life.”


Gollito Estredo

Amado Vrieswijk (JP / Severne) produced a stunning comeback through the double elimination as the Bonairean won nine heats on the bounce to battle back all the way into second place — having finished joint 9th in the single. Vrieswijk was tipped by many to be one of the top contenders for the title this year and he proved why in the double with numerous double culos and kabikuchis to leave a wake of destruction in his path. The 20 year old successfully defeated Gollito to force a super final and he very nearly stole the event crown, but eventually missed out after a narrow defeat — less than 3 points. However, Vrieswijk is now prominently placed for a title bid and he’ll be a major threat in next event in Fuerteventura.


Amado Vrieswijk

This event will live long in the memory of Adrien Bosson (Fanatic / North / Maui Ultra Fins) after the Frenchman sailed superbly to earn a maiden podium in Austria. During the single elimination Bosson firstly took down reigning world champion — Dieter Van der Eyken (Starboard / Severne) — before also defeating Philip Soltysiak (Starboard / Sailworks) and Antony Ruenes (Tabou / GA Sails) to ensure a fantastic start to the season after qualifying for the final. Bosson couldn’t stop Vrieswijk so progressing in the double, but will be delighted with his efforts after securing 3rd place.


Adrien Bosson

Taty Frans (Starboard / GA Sails / Mystic) and Amado Vrieswijk have spent much of the winter training together and their countless hours on the water were certainly rewarded with Frans also enjoying a fine start to the season. The Bonairean beat Davy Scheffers (Tabou / GA Sails) and Balz Müller (Patrik / Severne) before also coming out on top in the battle for third and fourth in the single elimination against Antony Ruenes (Tabou / GA Sails).


Taty Frans

Meanwhile, Ruenes, makes another solid start to the season with an excellent fifth place finish and the Frenchman produced some of the standout moments of the event with several trademark no-handed burners, while also landing the only air spock of the contest.


Antony Ruenes

Yentel Caers (JP / NeilPryde) is someone who started to catch the eye last year — especially after his performance in Fuerteventura — and the Belgian was able to make a strong start to the season as he records his best result so far — 6th place in Podersdorf. Caers led for the majority of Heat 22a in the single, against Gollito Estredo, only to see his rival snatch victory from his claws in the final minute, but after pushing the most successful windsurfer in freestyle history all the way, Caers, clearly has all the potential to go all the way.


Yentel Caers

Balz Müller is another sailor who starts off 2016 with his best ever result as he finishes 7th in Podersdorf. The Swissman is well known for his radical, and sometimes slightly crazy, approach, but his variation makes him one of the most interesting sailors to watch and Müller used his variation to full affect to cause one of the upsets of the contest as he defeated good friend Steven Van Broeckhoven (JP / NeilPryde) in the single elimination. Kiri Thode (Starboard / GA Sails) also finishes in joint 7th.


Balz Müller

Youp Schmit sailed through the pain barrier after suffering a suspected torn calf to bravely defend his top 10 position after the double elimination. The Bonairean finishes the opening event of the year in joint 9th alongside Steven Van Broeckhoven, Dieter Van der Eyken and Philip Soltysiak — who records another top 10 result.



The level of freestyle in Austria was higher than ever and the tour continues to become even more competitive with almost no room for error. The likes of Tonky Frans, Davy Scheffers and Nicolas Akgazciyan (99NoveNove / Challenger Sails / AL360 / Maui Ultra Fins) all miss out on the top 10, but you can expect to see them bounce back in Fuerteventura.

Where’s Next on the PWA World Tour?

In 9 days time Antoine Albeau (RRD / NeilPryde) and Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins) will begin their title defences as the PWA Slalom World Tour kicks off in Ulsan, South Korea. Make sure you tune into www.pwaworldtour.com between the 19th-24th May to see who comes out on top.

Overall Result PWA Surf World Cup Podersdorf — Men’s Freestyle

1st Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic / North / MFC)
2nd Amado Vrieswijk (JP / Severne)
3rd Adrien Bosson (Fanatic / North / Maui Ultra Fins)
4th Taty Frans (Starboard / GA Sails / Mystic)
5th Antony Ruenes (Tabou / GA Sails)
6th Yentel Caers (JP / NeilPryde)
7th Balz Müller (Patrik / Severne)
7th Kiri Thode (Starboard / GA Sails)
9th Youp Schmit (99NoveNove / Avanti)
9th Dieter Van der Eyken (Starboard / Severne)
9th Philip Soltysiak (Starboard / Sailworks)
9th Steven Van Broeckhoven (JP / NeilPryde)

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