Reflections On An Almighty 2007 PWA Season
With the silverware all dished-out and the big names sent home to re-charge and reflect on their years work, the world of windsurfing can be proud of an impressive run of competition that pushed levels far beyond most peoples expectations.
All in all 6 world championship titles were settled in wave sailing, slalom racing and freestyle between the most talented men and women windsurfers on the globe.
Wave Sailing
The wave tour glittered brightly with three sparkling new additions to the calendar and 6 events in total.
The 2007 Cabo Verde World Cup ? Feb 22nd-March 4th
Fortune smiled immediately upon the world wave sailing elite as a pumping swell raced towards the Cabo Verde archipelago, hell-bent on unleashing its power upon the shallow ledges of Ponta Preta, on the Island of Sal.
The event was a big deal to this small Atlantic republic too. An impressive infrastructure by the organizers, and the level of crowds coming to support their nation were a testament to the importance of windsurfing to Cabo Verde?s low rise and eco-friendly tourism development,
Surf of epic proportions thundered seemingly inches away from the shore at Ponta Preta, and you could almost touch the riders as they flew past on the rollercoaster ride of a lifetime.
The cream rising to the top of 4-man single elimination final contained the worthy names of Josh Angulo, Kauli Seadi (Quatro / Naish), Kevin Pritchard (Starboard / MauiSails) and Nik Baker (Mistral / North).
Seadi, the 2005 world champ, dazzled the judges with his twin fin trickery to win ahead of local favorite Angulo after a tense and tactical final with all 4 riders hustling for position to snag the prime set waves.
The double elimination was blessed with more perfect surf, and the biggest fight back was undoubtedly from Jason Polakow (JP / NeilPryde) who trashed 6 entire rigs after working his way back up to 4th overall.
But Angulo had other plans, and the years he?s spent living here paid off as he proceeded to tear apart the peachiest set waves, punting huge airs, including an outrageous back-arched example, that left Pritchard in third position overall.
Angulo stood firm in the double elimination and disaster struck for Seadi when they met in the final ? his choice of a tiny sail resulting in a serious trashing on the rocks. However the re-match simply couldn?t have been any closer.
Eventually Angulo?s decisive wave, including a severely late under-the-lip punt, had more variation with snaps, one-handed cutbacks, vertical hooks and two powerful aerials on the inside bowl.
The beachside carnival was silenced as the judge?s scores were tabulated. A tight 4 to 3 verdict awarded Angulo?s more powerful assault the victory and jubilation erupted like wildfire throughout the adoring throng.
Carried by a tidal wave of fans, Cabo Verde?s newest icon was mobbed at the waters edge to be swept towards the podium in a frenzy of drums, whistles and unabated elation.
The largest sporting event and athletic achievement to ever have graced these shores was celebrated long through the night with cavalcades and parties spilling onto the streets.
With several days left in the holding period and conditions still off the scale the UK?s Boards magazine offered up $1000 for an expression session to wind up the event won by Marcilio Browne (Mistral / Gaastra) for his daring one-handed aerial.
This marked the end of the most spectacular event modern windsurfing?s ever seen; leaving the competitors free to enjoy the waves and welcome the people of Sal had gifted them.
The PWA World Cup Guincho Wave Contest 2007 ? Portugal June 4th-9th
Portugal?s stylish Estoril coast welcomed the tour next and the seasonal ?Nortada? wind also greeted the women for their first competitive outing of the year.
In typical fashion Praia do Guincho once again delivered quality wind and waves to fully challenge the entrants.
As the men?s single elimination started heads rolled immediately as the new skool of windsurfing made their presence felt en masse. In fact, from the old-guard, only Angulo remained amongst the youthful pack in the top 8 including form player Yann Sorlut (Simmer) Thomas Traversa (Tabou / Gaastra), Victor Fernandez (Fanatic / Simmer), Kauli Seadi, Boujmaa Guilloul (Starboard / Severne), Marcilio Browne and Jonas Ceballos (Fanatic / Simmer).
The final was game of chance in the lighter than usual breeze, which left scarce opportunities for jumping. Some exciting semi-finals threw Fernandez and Seadi together and this time it was Fernandez who played a tactical game of staying upwind to pick off the best ramps and wave rides.
A long wait on an un-typically windless Praia do Guincho meant only a single elimination was completed which earned Fernandez his second career event victory.
In the ladies event 2006 World Champion Iballa Moreno (North) couldn?t quite defeat Karin Jaggi (F2 / north) in the semi-finals and had to settle for third after a loser?s final against Junko Nagoshi (F2 / Simmer), who lost on the other side of the draw against Daida Moreno (North). That meant there was another classic Moreno vs. Jaggi final in the fluky late evening conditions with strong currents hindering both riders.
Jaggi matched Moreno on wave scores but eventually it was Moreno?s jump scores, which won favor with the judges and earned her the opening victory of the season.
The 2007 Gran Canaria PWA Grand Slam ? Canary Islands, Spain. July 9th-19th
Pozo Izquierda immediately served-up a feast of wind and swell for the single elimination of the wave contest. A truly groundbreaking day saw both the tour leader and the current world champion ejected from the ladder.
Predictably some of the famous Gran Canarian locals such as Dario Ojeda (Quatro / Gaastra) and Vidar Jensen (North) prevailed before an historic final between Victor Fernandez and Kauli Seadi.
That historic clash included perfect double forward loops and the first push-loop forward ever witnessed in competition. Fernandez took the honors in a close fought encounter, in which, despite both riders? aerial skills being near-perfect, the young Spaniards wave riding was superior.
The women?s event was also marked a milestone in the sport. It takes more skill than ever before to compete at this level so, perhaps unsurprisingly; it was Pozo legends Iballa Moreno (North) and Daida Moreno (North) who emerged as the finalists. Both the twins ripped and threw double loops mixed with sick wave riding, but Daida Moreno took the victory after landing the first ever Pushloop-tabletop seen in a women?s contest.
More good waves meant there was no delay in starting the double elimination of the wavesailing event on day 2. Strong comebacks were made by 2006 champ Kevin Pritchard, local hero Marcos Perez (Exocet) and France?s Julien Taboulet (F2 / Naish), but Seadi and Fernandez stood firm to fight through to another final to settle the event title.
The conditions were not as good as the first day but another jumping-oriented final allowed Fernandez to seal his second consecutive event win and second successive Pozo crown.
The 2007 Mormaii Ibiraquera Wave Contest / PWA World Cup ? Brazil. September 9th-16th
The stunning National Park Zone of Brazil?s Santa Catarina State welcomed the PWA men?s fleet for its inaugural visit to this breathtaking nature reserve and its high quality surf and round-the-clock breeze.
Ibiraquera immediately turned it on as the fresh new tour stop provided logo high wave and wind on day one to allow competition to start immediately after registration.
It became clear from the off that this event would definitely throw up some surprises.
Amongst the movers and shakers, Phil Horrocks (JP / NeilPryde) disposed of 2004 champ Scott McKercher (Starboard / Severne), and Robby Swift (JP / NeilPryde) took a major scalp in the form of tour runner-up Victor Fernandez (Fanatic / Simmer).
Top German rider Klaas Voget (Fanatic / NeilPryde) also worked hard to edge out wave specialist Jason Polakow (JP / NeilPryde) in a super aggressive heat.
After two great semi-finals, Kauli Seadi and Levi Siver (Starboard /NeilPryde) emerged as the finalists. The final was pretty close as both riders started slowly and only spluttered into life late in the 14-minute heat.
Seadi only showed glimpses of what he?d shown to be capable of in freesailing but his last wave showed the dynamism he?s famous for and a perfect Goyta in the dying seconds clinched a famous victory for the local boy.
The double elimination didn?t disappoint and Victor Fernandez emerged as the most likely candidate after he strung a run of 7 back-to-back heat wins to launch one final assault on the event crown.
But the 23-yr olds path of destruction ended after a mammoth showdown with Britain?s Nik Baker (Mistral / North).
After halting Fernandez, Baker, who finished 3rd in the single elimination, then shot-down single elimination runner-up Levi Siver.
The grand finale was finally started on day 4 with a longer 30-minute heat, and firecrackers and rockets on the beach from the excited Santa Catarina crowd.
Home advantage eventually paid for the Brazilian as he put his expert local knowledge to use to select waves that offered more open face and workable sections. Seadi?s ability to magic so many energetic turns out of nowhere made the difference to truly indicate his amazing talent.
There was no doubt in the crowd?s minds as to who?d won as a throng of supporters carried Seadi from the water?s edge to the podium before the decision was announced.
The judges seemed to agree and a unanimous 5-0 decision awarded him the victory.
Bonus Mormaii Wetsuits Super Session
Generous event sponsors Mormaii threw down some stunning product prizes in the name of pure entertainment and pushing limits in an all-guns-blazing expression session won by Josh Angulo who spanked the young pretenders with his outstanding aerial wave 360?s.
The 2007 Colgate World Cup Sylt ? Germany. September 21st-30th
Both wind and surf were scarce in Germany but a narrow window of wind and waves allowed the women a valuable chance to complete their wave sailing single elimination on day 4.
It was apparent from the early heats that careful wave selection would prove critical for success.
Cross-to cross-onshore wind from the left and punchy head high shore break waves gave the ladies the perfect canvass to showcase their skills. It also became clear early on that Spanish firecracker Nayra Alonso (Fanatic / Severne) was going to be a danger in these conditions, which were so similar to her home spot of Vargas.
The early heats progressed without drama until local favorite Steffi Wahl (F2 / Gaastra) caused a major upset when she defeated tour leader Daida Moreno (North) in round 2.
The second round also saw Alonso take her first major scalp in the form of Karin Jaggi who sailed to her normal high standards, but on this occasion was simply outclassed by Alonso who looked untouchable with her aggressive approach.
To maximize time in the fading conditions, the organizers opted for a 4-women final between Junk Nagoshi (F2 /Simmer), 2006 world champion Iballa Moreno (North), Alonso, and local favorite Wahl.
Alonso, aged 28, continued her good form in the final along with her fellow Gran Canarian rival Iballa Moreno.
Wahl was also looking dangerous but like Nagoshi her work rate was lower, and after Moreno fell a couple of times it wasn?t long before the onlookers were convinced they were seeing a well deserved victory.
Alonso?s vertical, destructive attack was unequalled and she took the win by a 6-1 verdict amongst the judges to make a valuable career-first event win. Iballa Moreno finished second and Steffi Wahl made her first podium appearance in third.
As Sylt marked the need of the wave tour for the women, and Daida Moreno was knocked-out, Iballa Moreno took the title for a second successive season. Daida Moreno finished in second overall with Karin Jaggi taking bronze.
Sadly the wind didn?t play ball for the men and the title race intensified for the final event in Scotland.
Colgate Super Session
Colgate threw in a whopping ?5000 for a super session on the final day with the best move to count. Colin Sifferlen (Starboard / Simmer) took the biggest chunky of the cash home for his massive air flaka over a heavy section of the shore dump surf breaking above bone dry rock!
Alex Mussolini (JP / NeilPryde) scored second for his radical auto rotators in the pocket, Ricardo Campello (JP / NeilPryde) third for his perfect switch Chacho 540, Victor Fernandez came fourth for a sweet shaka off the lip, and German favorite Klaas Voget 5th for his clean back loop in the difficult conditions.
The Corona Extra PWA World Cup ? Tiree Scotland. October 6th-13th
In the run-up to this unique mobile event the point?s race was tight and the pressure rested firmly on tour runner-up, 23-yr old Victor Fernandez of Spain.
Topping the leader board was Brazilian Kauli Seadi the 2005 world champion and winner of the last event on his home patch in Brazil.
The task for Fernandez was simple - win the event outright to take the title ? simply knocking Seadi out in their scheduled quarterfinal clash would be insufficient.
But as the holding period began, the raw Atlantic coastline of Tiree lay dormant and calm as the world?s best wave sailors waited for suitable conditions.
A lack of surf but some breeze on day two sprung the organizers into action and drinks sponsor Go Fast Energy tossed in USD $750 for an expression session won by Victor Fernandez for his ?Corkscrew?
Several days followed of waiting patiently for forecasts that never quite delivered the goods.
Scouts were permanently sent around the Islands key spots to monitor the conditions and even daybreak starts to maximize time on the water bore no fruit.
Like so often before the clock ticked down to the final day and the arrival at last of some solid surf accompanied by an albeit fluky offshore wind.
Glassy logo high waves rolled in at Balevullin but still everyone?s nerves were tested as several heats were cancelled each time the wind dropped and each precious daylight hour passed by.
As darkness beckoned Fernandez?s hopes of slaying the Brazilian completely vanished. The 23-yr from Almeria could only watch as the first heat of round 3 was cancelled and the head judge called-off the contest.
With a top-16 now defined Tire had contributed an official contest result and the 2007 season was over.
Seadi was carried by his friends and countrymen and unceremoniously dumped in the shore break before he headed out for a triumphant free sail to celebrate.
The judges watching reckoned the waves he caught then were the best of the tournament and it was a fitting demonstration of his unique and electrifying talent.
His mix of powerful turns, aerials, tail slides and cutbacks were a cut above the rest who simply weren?t capable of such magic in the tricky conditions.
With Seadi officially the victor and Fernandez now cornered into second overall the focus shifted onto the remaining podium slot, and after the points were added up the third and final podium place was awarded to Josh Angulo of Cabo Verde.
Seadi has produced something special this season and his dynamic style is almost unmatched. His second world title aged just 24 is certainly impressive, and he?ll no doubt be a major threat to all in 2008. His title is also of extra note as the season tested the riders in a wide range of conditions to really iron-out a most worthy champion.
Slalom Racing
The Slalom series boasted no less than 7 men?s events and 3 women?s races, including an exciting new stop in Korea.
The 2007 Ulsan PWA World Cup ? Korea. May 5th-12th
The colorful and explosive opening ceremony set the tone for a firecracker of an event on this, the PWA?s first visit to Asia in Ulsan, Korea. An incredible reception from the amazing local organization, and the event?s high profile in this region certainly helped the 2007 Slalom 42 tour open with a big bang.
From day one Jinha beach came up with the goods, immediately serving-up wind to get racing started as the battle for the ?45K prize fund got underway. In fact good wind on the first 4 days allowed 6 full men?s races to be completed and 10 women?s races in all.
2006 World Champ Antoine Albeau (Starboard / NeilPryde) had a slow start to the year by slipping-up with some risky overtaking moves and premature starts. That allowed Kevin Pritchard (Starboard / MauiSails) to take the initiative and take 3 race victories compared to just one from Albeau.
Peter Volwater (F2 / North) also had a bonus when good awareness let him take race 2 after the entire final line-up crossed the line too early.
After the last two days disappointed it was Pritchard who took the event win without a 7th race and the discard it would?ve allowed could be completed.
Micah Buzianis (JP / NeilPryde) emerged stealthily from the shadows to steal second overall after a well-crafted final race win and a consistent string of results.
Albeau recovered to cement third overall and keep himself in touch with the leaders before the next event in Spain.
Karin Jaggi struck a lethal blow to any pretenders in the women?s? contest. With just one glitch on her scorecard for a premature start Jaggi steamed to victory in all of the remaining 9 races.
But the scrap for second and third place was certainly intense between Sarah Hebert (Starboard / Naish) and Ayako Suzuki (Starboard / Gaastra). The pair exchanged second and third places continuously and Hebert was sure to pounce and take a bullet in Jaggi?s absence after her disqualification from race 8.
Eventually Hebert accompanied Jaggi on the podium in second overall and Suzuki made Japan proud in third.
The 2007 Catalunya Costa Brava PWA World Cup Slalom ? Spain. June 12-17th
The Ballena Alegre Camping resort - the site of many famous Freestyle and Super-X face-offs in the past, hosted the elite talent of the PWA?s men?s electrifying Slalom racing fleet.
This, the second racing event of 2007, spluttered into action over the first two days as fluky, conditions challenged both patience and skills of the 48-man fleet.
Buzianis stole race 1 after a close lead kept 2006 champ Albeau at bay. Around 20 knots of wind allowed Bjorn Dunkerbeck (T1 / North) to ruthlessly hammer home a decisive win in race 2?s magnificent 24-man final of the half-fleet format. After two races Ulsan runner-up Buzianis kept pole position for an agonizing three day wait for the wind to return after tour leader Pritchard bowed-out from equipment failure.
Eventually adequate breeze permitted a classic final-day face-off to settle the event title. Albeau, celebrating his 35th birthday, immediately muscled his way into the lead with a crucial Race 4 win. The phenomenon from the Isle de Re boldly chose a massive 9.0sqm sail whilst others struggled on 7.8?s. This tenacity out-shadowed even Dunkerbeck, who opted for the same tactic, although he merely used an 8.3 to obliterate all behind him!
Buzianis was now on a downward spiral. Perhaps feeling too relaxed, the American rolled in 9th in Race 4, before his attention wandered and he went over early on Race 5.
That 5th race was comprehensively taken by the vastly experienced German, Bernd Flessner (F2 / NeilPryde). Flessner, a veteran of countless Grand Slam contests, showed he could easily compete with the younger generation of racers.
The mixed bag of results continued. Finally Pritchard restored pride and seized a vital victory in race 6. Gusts of nearly 30 knots really turned the heat up for the final race, the deferred half-fleet race 3 that was run over an elongated long-distance course.
Smoothly slipping into top gear, Cyril Moussilmani took the opposite tactic of the giants of racing, by cunningly picking the more comfortable set-up of a smaller rig to gain control in the choppy water.
The random results and one race discard allowed Albeau to take the event title ahead of Buzianis and Dunkerbeck.
The 2007 Costa Teguise Grand Slam ? Lanzarote. June 30th-July 7th
Some epic surf-slalom conditions and logo-high surf hindered the crew?s chances of safely setting a course on the first two days.
More solid surf on day 3 made for a grueling day with the maximum 4 races run across the reef. A variety of results were thrown up but Bjorn Dunkerbeck came out as the event leader after 4 separate race winners in Micah Buzianis, Dan Ellis (Fanatic / Naish) ? the half-fleet race victor, Pieter Bijl (Fanatic / NeilPryde) and Dunkerbeck himself.
The crowds on the beachside grandstand were thrilled as the heats streaked through the gnarly waves and back the finish line under their noses on the breakwater.
A full afternoon's slalom racing on day 4 showed that Dunkerbeck wasn?t messing about. He set about building an event lead by taking 2 wins from the 3 full races run. Finian Maynard (F2 / NeilPryde) won the third race as the stronger wind favored the heavyweights. Tour leader Albeau grafted hard to hang on to his smallest registered sail, (A 7.8sqm!), in wind of up to around 30 knots.
On day 6 lighter winds made for ideal slalom conditions, but this didn?t exactly favor the heavyweights. Antoine Albeau finally overtook Bjorn Dunkerbeck to seize the event lead. Kevin Pritchard snuck into second overall after victory in 2 out of 3 of the day?s races ? Britain?s Ross Williams won the third.
A final day of nerves started when Dunkerbeck failed to make it out of his semi-final heat. But it was lightweight, light wind specialist Gonzalo Costa Hoevel (F2 / NeilPryde) who won first race of the day.
More anxiety got to the top names in the twelfth race. Even Albeau failed to make final and neither did Pritchard as the event lead was left on a knife-edge. In the rankings this also intensified the race for third as the final race of the event loomed.
As the tension got to everyone there were several re-starts and disqualifications as no less than 5 of the finalists were sent back to the beach for premature starts. Eventually Dunkerbeck won easily, using an 8.3, he crossed before anyone and drove it home ruthlessly all the way to the finish line.
A conservative approach form Albeau won him the event despite not winning one race. Pritchard ghosted into second overall and Dunkerbeck was rewarded with 3rd for his efforts.
The 2007 Gran Canaria PWA Grand Slam ? Canary Islands, Spain. July 9th-19th
The racer?s got their first start on the third day and with two races completed the top seeds sprung into action to take the early bragging rights. Bjorn Dunkerbeck showed form early by beating Albeau in the first race in a desperate bid to avenge his defeat at the Frenchman?s hands here in 2006.
But not wanting to let Dunkerbeck have a key psychological victory Albeau pulled-off a perfect start and kept his lead to win - the race event was on!
Albeau cut another clear and decisive victory in race 3. The champion successfully snaked Dunkerbeck who?d led from the start to record the race win.
The 4th race signified a landmark as the fleet earned their first discard and the chance to throw away their worst result so far. Albeau was in danger of blowing it in the 4th race final, but recovered well after a mistimed start.
The race 5 final turned-up a few surprises as team mates Ross Williams (Tabou / Gaastra) and Matt Pritchard (Tabou / Gaastra) capitalized on confusion at the first mark to slip past and allow Williams the race win and Tabou/Gaastra team boss Matt a second.
Widespread nerves spread like wildfire through race 6 as many top names slipped-up under pressure, and once again Williams was primed and ready to pounce on the unwary.
The seventh race was run using the magnificent half-fleet format to treat the spectators to a spectacular sight of 22 racers streaking across the ocean and through the start line simultaneously.
After 2 qualifying heats all the favorites made it to the 22-man final, which brought a straightforward victory for Albeau.
The course was adjusted for race 8 and included two long reaches after the start before some tighter zigzagging reaches nearer the beach to really test the full range of the competitor?s skills, and was another perfect example of Albeau?s flawless racing technique.
In break from the routine Bjorn Dunkerbeck who gave everyone a lesson on how to compete in the ninth half-fleet race as Albeau blew-out in a pile-up at the first mark.
The wind was howling by race 10 in typical Pozo style and that suited old hand at racing Matt Pritchard (Tabou / Gaastra) like a glove. The swell, especially at the outside marks became a crucial weapon for overtaking moves Moto-X style.
For the 11th race many riders were on their smallest registered sails of 5.0 but the heavyweights muscled it out on larger rigs of around 5.4 to 5.8sqm.
The final was a brilliant example of high-wind slalom racing. Albeau led the fleet down the first reach before tail-walking as he slammed-on the brakes approaching the first gybe mark to subsequently allow Dunkerbeck the lead, and consequently the race win.
Race 12 - This time a half-fleet format was chosen and the shorter course kept to really keep the pressure on.
Everyone?s breath was held as Dunkerbeck and Maynard screamed along the last section of the first reach and around the critical gybe. Perhaps only a miracle prevented the two giants colliding as they skirted the buoy whilst Albeau cruised around wide and into third place. Dunkerbeck?s fighting spirit was fortified with the extra wind and he made no bones about taking a consecutive race win here in his own backyard.
The 13th race was unlucky for some as quite a few top names struggled around the course. A lot of the top seeds played it safe in the final but one player was determined to make this race count. Dutchman Ben Van Der Steen (Exocet / Naish) lived-up to his growing reputation for gaining consistency by taking his virgin PWA race win.
For the second year in a row the racing title came down the final race. The tension was rife before the 14th and final race due to the hair- breadth point?s difference between Albeau, and Matt and Kevin Pritchard.
No one really pressed the line too hard at the start, but the fleet was even all the way along the first reach.
Race winner Kevin Pritchard however was a little more determined and that shone through as he screamed along every inch of the course to bag the victory.
Albeau rolled-in second to consequently take the Pozo event win and strengthen his grip on the tour lead. Kevin Pritchard?s third place for the event slid him into second overall for the year.
Albeau?s victory once again showed that he can play the full deck of cards when it comes to competing, from total domination to a safe and conservative approach.
The 2007 Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam ? July 20th-30th
The women were back in action alongside the men at the long-standing Fuerteventura event.
The maximum 15 races were run for both men and ladies and both fleets? turned-out surprising results.
Men?s - The first few days of the men?s racing threw-up some bizarre error-strewn racing. Eventually Albeau got a grip on the event after a late resurgence by Buzianis who?d suffered early in the week to take the win with 6 victories.
Pritchard steered a steady ship to seize second overall ahead of Dunkerbeck. Buzianis must?ve been both pleased and kicking himself that he finished in a credible 4th place after a hat trick of victories on day 4.
Albeau?s win here was enough to seal him the 2007 title with two events to go.
Women?s - With a fleet full of new faces and some tough competition from established competitors, Karin Jaggi (F2 / North) had her work cut out in the women?s fleet. But Jaggi proceeded to send out an early warning shot to any pretenders in the women?s fleet after taking 3 out of 4 race wins. At this stage both Jaggi?s podium rivals must?ve thought she was about to repeat her unassailable lead of Sotavento 2006. But the event would turn out to be the best women?s race event for years and involved a nail-biting final day decider.
After missing-out on Korea it was time for last season?s surprise package Valerie Ghibaudo (Tabou) to show up and make her presence felt. Also intent on spoiling the party where Iballa Moreno (North) and first-time racer Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde).
Despite Jaggi?s good start Ghibaudo clawed her way back into the gamer and the tow titans of women?s racing exchanged race victories, with Jaggi accounting for 8 wins and Ghibaudo crossing the line in first on no less than 6 occasions.
Jaggi topped the podium after a tense 15th and final race on the last day to more or less wrap-up the 2007 title with just one event remaining.
The 2007 Pegasus Airlines PWA World Cup, Alaçati ? Turkey. August 13th-18th
Cesme province?s stylish coastal resort welcomed the PWA?s men?s and women?s fleets back after a joint sanctioned event with IFCA back in 2006. Now boasting full World Cup Status and impressive sponsors to boot, the stage was set for a fiesta of competition and music served parallel to the host nations Surf ?n Sound festival.
Men?s - Antoine Albeau touched down in Turkey with the 2007 title already secured. The French all-round master of windsurfing had the luxury of a stress-free end-of-season wind-down in Alaçati, yet still managed to coast to victory.
In conditions ranging anything from 10-25 knots, the race director kept everyone on their toes all week by setting a selection of both short and long courses, with the layouts featuring 4-6 buoys and a variety of length in the reaches.
Over the course of 10 fierce men?s eliminations, Albeau?s error count overall stayed low, despite a slow start on day one when his NeilPryde team mate Pieter Bijl stepped-in and took the early lead. Albeau also wobbled with a small blemish in the form of a premature start on day 4 when nearly everyone?s results went haywire.
In terms of consistency only Bjorn Dunkerbeck stayed watertight until the last as he shed only one of his low discards after qualifying for all but the critical race 10 final.
Kevin Pritchard also showed remarkable character to stay in the frame. He suffered gear failure during a collision on day one that negated his race 2 victory, but the gutsy American gritted his teeth to pull himself back into the game over the next 4 days, starting with a crucial win in tricky conditions on day 3 to stay ahead of Dunkerbeck.
Apart from Bijl, the only other players in the frame to truly pressurize Pritchard and Dunkerbeck for a top-3 finish were last season?s victor in Turkey Finian Maynard and Peter Volwater 2006 overall runner- Micah Buzianis? woeful season continued as he struggled in the lighter winds and never really threatened to push for glory.
There was no exception to the season?s trend of final-day tension in Alaçati. Dunkerbeck exploded in the quarterfinals on a day when he?d planned to oust Pritchard from the runner?s-up spot, but was eventually gifted second overall when Pritchard himself missed the final.
Dunkerbeck?s lower discard scores were therefore enough to allow him to leapfrog Pritchard for the runner?s-up step on the stage. Albeau of course made no mistake in banking a fifth and final race win in their absence to top the podium and take home the winner?s trophy.
Women?s - The Women?s event was always going to be billed as a mouth-watering match between Karin Jaggi and the resurgent Valerie Ghibaudo.
Jaggi?s last-gasp victory in Fuerteventura denied Ghibaudo the tour lead, but Ghibaudo?s lust for victory intensified after her performance in Sotavento to a totally new level.
Ghibaudo and Jaggi were fairly equally matched for speed, but the clear difference was in the Frenchwomen?s starting skill. If anyone thought Jaggi was letting someone else share the limelight they could not be further from the truth. This was evident as tension rose and Jaggi was forced to push the start, which resulted in two painful disqualifications.
Ghibaudo?s superior timing earned her 9 victories from the 15 races completed against Jaggi?s uncharacteristically meager 3 bullets.
The real excitement in women?s slalom are the contenders of the future with many young and exciting names rising to the fore, plus a wealth of local talent in the fleet. It was also pleasure to see Verena Fauster (F2 / Gaastra) recover well from surgery early in the season to finish consistently high enough to claim third overall.
Turkish TV celebrity Çagla Kubat (Starboard / North) may well show at more PWA events after her impressive 4th place finish which was grafted through speed and cunning turning skill to entertain the excited local crowds.
Ghibaudo?s victory in Turkey must have cut deep into Jaggi, but by the same token Jaggi will be amped-up and excited by the prospect healthy competition in the 2008 season already, plus she had the last laugh by topping the year-end podium once again.
The 2007 Colgate World Cup Sylt ? Germany. September 21st-30th
With 3 disciplines on offer at Sylt the weekend crowds were treated to some fantastic slalom racing for the conclusion to the men?s Slalom season.
Team Fanatic?s furious featherweight Arnon Dagan (Fanatic / NeilPryde) took the early lead on a frustrating first day?s racing for the big guns.
Light wind specialists Australian Steve Allen (Tabou / Gaastra) and youngster Julien Quentel (Starboard / NeilPryde) also drove home their advantage as the opening volleys of the slalom shooting match began in just 10 or so knots of wind.
For the mid-week section of the contest Sylt played it?s typical 4-seasons-in-one-day act and fluctuated between bright sunshine and howling wind and showers. Eventually the final weekend gifted the chance for some further great racing action.
2006 racing champ Albeau was initially slow out of the blocks. The Frenchman appeared seemingly lethargic after already sealing the 2007 crown and allowing Dagan the early event lead.
And a fourth place finish in race 3 didn?t deter the champ who went on to destroy everyone else later in the afternoon.
Dunkerbeck stormed out all guns blazing for this second day of racing but his performance faded in comparison to Albeau?s massacre. Kevin Pritchard also recovered well over the day after missing the race 3 final, but dug deep to record another 3rd place and a critical 2nd place finish in race 4 to take second overall in the event standings.
Albeau?s resurgence was immediate and lethal. Three back-to-back race wins followed where the champ fully stamped down his authority, taking a crucial and lasting psychological victory for everyone to carry with them far into next season.
The final day started with Ross Williams topping the leader board after a useful 4th in race 2, but, as the first discard came into play after race 4 he slipped to 4th overall and allowed Dunkerbeck and Pritchard to leapfrog him into the remaining podium slots.
Onshore wind for the 6th and final race meant an exciting 4-buoy course was set winding back towards the beach with a shoreline finish within touching distance of the die-hard onlookers on the beach.
The fresh breeze and rolling swell made for exciting racing with crashes and catapults galore as the racers streaked along the fast downwind sections.
Albeau took a fourth consecutive race victory ahead of Dagan, who?d suffered a rib injury earlier in the event, and Dunkerbeck, who?s third place here sealed him third overall for the season and second overall for the event.
Albeau?s victory in Germany was the icing on the cake for a champion who?s blitzed all of his competition in unquestionable fashion over the past two seasons.
The Frenchman stepped ashore the Island of Westerland for this regatta with the 2007 trophy guaranteed to be his, but unrelentingly kept his foot on the gas to leave a lasting impression in his rival?s minds for the upcoming 2008 campaign.
Freestyle
The standard of freestyle seems to shoot through the roof each season. The level required to advance from even the first rounds is incredible and it is often said that any of the top 25 names could take an event win of they gained momentum through the ladder.
2007 also saw the newer limited 32-man format to intensify the competition even further. The ladies fleet was no-less cutthroat and the variety of conditions on tour certainly matched the variety of styles on the water.
The 2007 Costa Teguise Grand Slam ? Lanzarote. June 30th-July 7th
Perfect freestyle conditions on day 1 meant there was no delay in getting the first double elimination of the year underway. There were a few shock exits, namely the Frans brothers who couldn?t seem to perform to their usual standard, but, many were excited about the potential comeback of Ricardo Campello (JP / NeilPryde) who?d dipped below the radar in 2006 and fought his way up to the final stages, including an amazing Pushloop-Vulcan in the single elimination final.
However, despite a bit of a fright from Campello Jose Estredo (Fanatic / North) dug deep to secure the win after another all-Venezuelan final in the double elimination.
Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra) fended-off any other pretenders to defend the third place spot.
Daida Moreno (North) fended off the new wave of ladies freestyle talent despite the standard rocketing in the off-season. Aruban Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde) sealed second place after halting Laure Treboux?s (Naish / Naish) remarkable fight back in its tracks.
Moreno was also using the sizable ramps on the Las Cucharas reef to her advantage as the younger girls focused more on technical sliding tricks.
A second single elimination was started on day two with big swell still sweeping through the course area.
Anthony Ruenes (Tabou / Gaastra) and Marcilio Browne (Mistral / Gaastra) sprung into form but couldn?t displace Thode or Estredo who met in a tense final. Estredo was injured, but his combo moves gave him the win even though Thode must?ve notched-up a record amount of tricks in a heat.
In the women?s final Moreno fell a fair bit leaving Offringa to punish her with her impressive array of the latest switch-stance tricks.
The 2nd double elimination of the freestyle was completed in the morning of day 4, and Campello?s hopes of a fight back to the final were dashed. He scrapped well through 6 heats to reach the last three, but young Kiri Thode spoilt the chances of a Margaritan party for the final.
Just prior to the final Estredo injured his foot but soldiered on to defeat Thode and still pull-of his trademark moves such as the one-handed burner through the pain to win.
Sarah-Quita Offringa and Daida Moreno met once more after Treboux failed to barge her way into the final. Offringa made it 1-1 between her and Moreno with a solid heat as Moreno floundered and fell.
Another Estredo vs. Thode final surfaced on day 5 after the young Bonaire youngster brushed aside all pretenders. Once more, Thode?s work rate was exceptional as he performed an amazing array and number of tricks, but Estredo?s higher scoring moves and unique stunts awarded him the win.
The women?s final between Daida Moreno and Offringa was unanimous in a 5-0 decision in Offringa?s favor. That settled the tie between her and Moreno and awarded Offringa the event win and the tour lead going into the next event in Gran Canaria.
The 2007 Gran Canaria PWA Grand Slam ? Canary Islands, Spain. July 9th-19th
Pozo once again hosted a women?s only freestyle event. The off-the-wall conditions are unique and presented the ultimate test in both aerial and sliding trickery.
After days of racing and wave action the Women?s freestyle event finally got underway on day 4. Sarah-Quita Offringa struck early to take the event lead after a stunning performance against 2006 Freestyle world champion Daida Moreno in the first single elimination final.
Offringa was drawn early against last season?s impressive debutant Laure Treboux and survived to advance all the way to the final. Just like the wave event, this was a landmark in the women?s sport as the tricks witnessed in the finals smashed all previous barriers.
Lighter wind favored Offringa as she dealt with Moreno after completing moves such as air flakas, a switch-stance Chacho, a Funnel, and a Cana Brabu.
After struggling in the single elimination Iballa Moreno (North) dug deep and battled through shoulder pain in a gritty double elimination fight back. After no less than 6 consecutive heats her sister Daida halted Iballa?s assault on a place in the final.
In the final Offringa and Daida Moreno completed their familiar line-up here on the Moreno?s territory.
Daida came out of the blocks flying as Offringa fell a fair bit, and with home advantage showing, there was a re-sail to decide the winner under the double elimination system.
Moreno was perhaps over-confident in the re-match as she crashed many spectacular moves, as, with great support on the beach, Offringa?s composure blossomed, especially after a perfect switch-Chacho near the crowds boosted her to land everything and subsequently take the event lead.
Yoli De Brendt (Fanatic / North) came close to an upset against Daida Moreno in the early heats of the second single elimination. Her off-season training nearly paid dividends when she forced a tiebreak decision that edged the victory into Moreno?s favor.
It was also a day to remember for Japan?s Junko Nagoshi (F2 / Simmer). She turned heads when she elbowed-out tour leader Offringa in the second round. After the dust settled from the tough semi-finals the two finalists left standing were Daida Moreno and Laure Treboux.
Continuing the trend of the day it was another close call and a 3-2 decision from the judges that gave the Swiss freestyle specialist the win. Treboux successfully pulled a Puneta 540 and a one-handed clew-first Spock to impress with the technical difficulty scores.
Sarah-Quita Offringa launched a grueling 6-heat struggle back up the ladder in the second double elimination, but she finally fell exhausted at the hands of Daida Moreno.
Moreno marched onward into battle with smooth sailing Swiss stylist Laure Treboux. There was something different and more motivated about Moreno?s approach as she came out with all guns blazing to force a re-sail, whilst obviously loving the windier, wavier conditions.
Fierce conditions whipped the ocean at Pozo into a frenzy early in the morning of day 8 to spoil the party for the women?s freestylers. Even with sails as small as 3.0 the ladies were left with little flat water or any chances of control to exhibit their skills. Sadly the decision was made to cancel the final single elimination and so the event came to an abrupt end and allowing Daida Moreno to top the podium ahead of Offringa and Treboux as the ladies tour headed to neighboring Fuerteventura to hook up with the men for their second event.
The 2007 Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam ? July 20th-30th
Men?s - Marcilio Browne (Mistral / Gaastra) immediately caused controversy when he elbowed-out tour leader and reigning world champion Jose Estredo (Fanatic / North) before winning the first single elimination final against Thomas Traversa (Tabou / Gaastra). Daida Moreno (North) stood her ground to win the women?s final against a spirited performance from Sarah-Quita Offringa.
The final was certainly not as intense as the semis but the there was still a barrage of top-drawer tricks to be seen. Traversa fell a little more than the Brazilian youngster who threw down clew-first ponches, and ponch flakas amongst the standard repertoire the elite sailors all possess. The victory visibly helped the youngster find relief from all the pressure of expectation that?s heaped on his shoulders. The win also allowed Brawzinho to take a big step towards living up to the hype that surrounds him, on a day that cemented his footprint in windsurfing?s elite.
The double elimination is always about the fight backs, and after a dip in form in 2006 Ricardo Campello (JP / NeilPryde) reverted to type and obviously loving the lighter and flukier conditions that his opponents found harder to handle.
The upsets continued when Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra) of Bonaire preventing reigning world champion Jose ?Gollito? Estredo staging any form of backlash through the ladder. The youngster beat the Venezuelan comprehensively in the lighter flatter conditions that must have reminded him of his Caribbean home spot of Lac Bay.
All eyes were then on Campello and Thode to see which one might be able to launch an offensive on the final four. The decision was predictably close and it was the former world youth freestyle champion Thode who took the win and ended Campello?s ambitions on a crack at the final.
Thode?s run at the top gained some momentum when Anthony Ruenes (Tabou / Gaastra) became his next victim, followed by Gaastra Team mate Tonky Frans (F2 / Gaastra). Kiri then moved on to the next stage against single elimination runner-up Traversa of France.
The judges certainly had their work cut out but it was Thode?s time once again to make the final and to apply pressure on single elimination winner Marcilio Browne.
The conditions in the final once again favored Thode and he predictably racked up the points as Browne stuttered and frequently fell. No one was surprised to see Thode had won after he?d clearly outscored modern windsurfing?s much-hyped sensation. Under the double elimination format that meant there had to be a re-sail to break the tie, and so after a short break they headed-out to do battle for a final time.
Browne was a hundred percent more active in this critical deciding heat and the crowds certainly appreciated the action close to the beach. He got the nod from the judging panel and sealed a famous victory that justified the hype that surrounds him as a force of the future.
Women - The flatter water conditions brought the standard of the women?s competition to a higher level than earlier in the season. This was predicted to favor the freestyle specialists like Laure Treboux and Sarah-Quita Offringa, but no one expected Moreno to find the lack of ramps suitable for success either.
The first round heats inevitably favored the higher seeds but the going got tough in from the second round onwards. Things got serious at the semis though when world number 3 Laure Treboux was crushed by joint tour leader and 2006 world champ Daida Moreno. Treboux was billed as a hot-favorite here in conditions ideal for her style but Moreno found the smoother water to her advantage too when she showed she?s got more than just air-moves to brag about.
Offringa beat Alba fairly easily in the other semi with her wide range of switch moves and flakas. The final started out looking better for Offringa as Moreno fell a few times at the start. The 16-yr old Aruban was racking-up points but Moreno soon hit back and gained momentum. Neither competitor looked certain of victory before the prize-giving announcement, and Moreno certainly looked grateful for the win.
Yoli De Brendt (Fanatic /North) made a breakthrough in the women?s double elimination when she beat Iballa Moreno for a shot against the final four contenders.
De Brendt loved the flatter conditions, which were similar to her home spot in El Yaque, Venezuela. Margarita's top female competitor showed us a full range of switch before falling against Nayra Alonso (Fanatic / Severne) of Gran Canaria.
Alonso had stuck a solid 4-heat streak together beating Junko Nagoshi (F2 / Simmer), De Brendt and Silvia Alba before she finally fell exhausted at the hands of Laure Treboux.
Treboux reveled in the flat parts of the course, pulling clew first Spocks, Punetas, e-sliders and grubbies. After beating Alonso she challenged single elimination runner-up Offringa.
Initially the heat went Treboux?s way. She completed an E-slider, a Clew-first Puneta and a Grubby whilst Offringa completed a Flaka an E-slider and a Puneta too. Most people expected her to go for the Switch Chacho too but time ran out and the judges deemed she?d done enough to make the final against Daida Moreno.
The final opened up at a frightening pace. Both girls opened with one-handed Spocks and Moreno launched full pelt into high speed Flaka and a Clew-first Spock. Sticking to the windier parts of the course her assault continued. An E-Slider 540, a forward, and a one-footed forward all added to the sliding tricks and spelt disaster for Offringa who could only reply with a flaka and sketchier switch moves compared to her usual high standards. A unanimous decision from the judges awarded the 2006 champion the victory eliminating the need for a re-sail.
The first round of the second single elimination was started but abandoned, as the wind was just too light to continue.
Day?s 8, 9 and 10 tested all the competitors as Kalima wind snuffed-out the chance of further competition which left a windless Sotavento in baking temperatures. Eventually by mid afternoon on day 10 the event was called-off and the champions announced. Browne and Moreno were awarded their event crowns at the typical Fuerteventura party-tent closing ceremony. Moreno had wrapped-up another impressive world title and the men headed to Sylt to see if Estredo would fight back to re-claim his title or if someone else would emerge victorious.
The 2007 Colgate World Cup Sylt ? Germany. September 21st-30th
With the women?s season over it was crunch time for the men?s freestylers in the unpredictable German North Sea.
Bonaire?s Kiri Thode, aged 17, arrived as tour leader and hungry to equal Estredo?s record of youngest PWA world champion.
Straight up on Monday morning Jose Estredo stormed back into the freestyle title hunt as a volatile North Sea flicked the switch to turn on a raging tempest.
5 riders were in the frame for the title as the day dawned ands all the top seeds advanced through the first couple of rounds until world number 6 Anthony Ruenes was knocked-out by Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails).
The tour leader Kiri Thode was next to fall at the hands of fellow Bonaire big-hitter Tonky Frans (F2 / Gaastra).
Frans was on a roll and had to sail tough and ignored the implications his victory had on his young friends lead in the rankings.
Frans? path of destruction also dented the hopes of the last event?s winner Marcilio Browne from taking the lead in the rankings as the Caribbean style master axed the young Brazilian in the semi-finals relegating him to the loser?s final.
Browne was left reliant on a double elimination to repair his hopes after Ricardo Campello defeated him in the loser?s final.
Another squall blew-up for the final to really test Estredo and Frans? skills and stamina. In truth both riders crashed, burned and wrestled in the gnarly choppy conditions.
Typically though, the young Venezuelan, who was the youngest PWA champion in history last season, threw down to his trademark move, the one-handed burner, to leave Frans stunned and the judges in little doubt as to who?d won.
As such the title race had suddenly became even more intense. Amongst the many scenarios possible the best chance of displacing Estredo rested with Kiri Thode who only needed to climb two positions to reclaim the trophy for Bonaire.
However if Browne could stem Thode?s progress up the double ladder he?d be the new king.
The pressure gauge went off the scale in the double elimination during a late afternoon session, which eliminated the final title hopefuls as the light and time faded.
The first key loss was that of Kiri Thode, who touched down in Germany in pole position and only had to advance two positions in the ladder to take the trophy back to Bonaire.
But the youngster, fresh from excluding Traversa, stumbled during his heat against ruthless Gaastra team mate Anthony Ruenes who?s power moves left Thode reeling in the dusk shadows.
Ruenes? fatigue soon showed however when he went down at then hands of the partisan German crowds favorite, Andre Paskowski (F2 / North) who?d enjoyed the momentum he?d built from the second round.
It was Paskowski?s turn to feel the effects of tiredness next when he came against Browne who destroyed him with a superior range of power moves and precision maneuvers.
The tension became unbearable immediately as Browne faced-up to Campello for a do or die finale to the day. In near darkness the two went out for an all-out conflict to settle the title.
If Campello won he?d rely on a chance to finish the double elimination and would have to beat Estredo, and if Browne won he?d have enough points to secure the silverware.
Looking at the time left and the forecasts this was almost impossible and so all eyes were focused on the brooding North Sea twilight for the winner.
Browne seemed once more to be on a different level and landed almost every move he tried. Campello came back fighting hard at the end but had fallen too often on the technical tricks and air moves to win his first world title aged just 18.
The last chance Sunday saw the conclusion of the freestyle double eliminations. Although Browne had stolen the thunder by taking the world title, the event crown was still up for grabs.
First up Browne faced Tonky Frans for a shot at the final against single elimination winner Estredo
Frans came out super fired-up but the conditions limited both his and Estredo?s ability to pull off their top-drawer tricks.
Eventually a stylish, one-handed regular stance Chacho, right under the crowd?s noses gave the Caribbean stylist the win and so, under the double elimination format, a re-sail to settle the event title was necessary.
This time Estredo was not settling for second. Immediately the youngster floated an amazingly high and tweaked shaka in very marginal winds. ?Gollito? then killed off Frans? hopes completely when he bust out his signature move, the ?Burner?, and a perfect one-handed Chacho of his own.
Gollito took to the stage later in his familiar first place to restore pride after effectively handing Browne the title back in Fuerteventura, but without doubt the 18-yr old will simmer in the off season and explode back with a vengeance in 2008 for sure.
Browne?s achievement was significant to his home nation, and an important landmark in his career. By shrugging off his critics he?s lived up to the hype and carved his name into the history books forever.
Sylt?s famous closing ceremony went-off in typical style with fireworks, anthems, emotions and celebrations shooting sky high. Three world championship crowns were dished-out on top of 4 event winner trophies for the winners to cherish forever. The organizers have a contract until 2010 to keep this spectacle returning and as the action just keeps on coming it?s easy to understand why.
No one could have predicted or even wished for a season of this magnitude and intensity. As the footage and word spread throughout he mainstream media the imagery windsurfing presents is of a sport re-born and emerging freshly into and exciting new era. Such inspirational sights will hopefully inspire new generations of champions and see the equipment developed to allow even more progress and evolution.
A short rest period precedes another mammoth schedule for 2008, which will contain even more exciting new tour stops.
You can review each event using our extensive video and photo galleries, read news summaries, browse the results and elimination ladders, swot-up on the stars using our profile biographies, stay up to date with the latest news on the pro scene daily and more at www.pwaworldtour.com
Be sure to tune in and watch out for calendar updates.
Thanks for following the action with us. See you on the water.
Aloha
PWA team
Š PWA Brian McDowell
