2011 RENO WORLD CUP SYLT PWA GRAND SLAM

Gestern wurde Slalom gestartet, aber mangels Wind wieder abgeblasen. Die Windprognose sieht sehr schlecht aus...

Zitat von PWA

The 2011 VW PWA Reno World Cup Sylt

Day three: A tough day on the water for the slalom sailors as light wind turns the racing into a particularly tactical affair.

In order to take advantage of what promised to be an epic day of wind, the PWA crew and the freestyle sailors were ready and raring to go at 6:45am, however it was only a gentle breeze that greeted the fleet, preventing them from strutting their stuff on the water. As the morning progressed the crowd on the beach built, as did the wind, and by 2pm the conditions were deemed suitable for the slalom sailors to blast their way around the four mark downwind course.

Winds blowing around 8-12 knots put the sailors on their largest equipment and ensured the best starts and the finest light wind skills were essential in order to qualify into the next round. Obviously eager to secure a good result, Jules Denel (Exocet) and Malte Reuscher (RRD / Point-7 / AL360) pushed the start a little too hard and went over early in the first heat, allowing the rest of the pack an easy pass into the next round without having to sail.

The drama continued throughout the first round, with a number of key players missing out on qualifying positions including Finian Maynard (RRD) who suffered from the effects of a wind hole at the third mark, allowing his opponents to sail past. The tough conditions also played havoc with Gunnar Asmussen (F2 / North) and Pascal Toselli’s (RRD / Point-7) game plan and they also failed to qualify in the difficult conditions.

Ross Williams (Tabou / Gaastra) was on fine form and he displayed some incredible light wind skills, leading the fleet all the way around the course, as was Alberto Menegatti (Starboard / Gaastra), Arnon Dagan (Tabou / Gaastra), Kurosh Kiani (Simmer / Angulo) and the flying Frenchman Cedric Bordes (Tabou / Gaastra / Mystic). The massive crowd on the beach also witnessed exceptional sailing from Chris Pressler (Starboard / Severne) as he fought his way into fourth place past Asmussen.

The upsets continued in the second round of the elimination with Peter Bijl (JP / NeilPryde) falling victim to a wind hole, deeming him unable to complete the heat in qualifying position, and Peter Volwater (Fanatic / MauiSails) going over early, leading to his disqualification.

All eyes were on the 2011 world champion Bjorn Dunkerbeck (Starboard / Severne / Mystic / DunkerbeckEyewear) who looked to be taking things at a relaxed pace in his first race, not wanting to risk making a mistake, whilst his biggest threats Antoine Albeau (JP / NeilPryde) and Ben Van Der Steen (Starboard / Loft / Mystic) were charging hard to guarantee their qualifying positions.

Heat eleven and twelve in the second round were run a number of times, however light wind at the first mark was causing a few problems. With the wind dropping below the suitable level for racing, the sailors were released for the day at 4:30pm. The skippers meeting for all three fleets will kick off at 10am tomorrow morning with the first possible start to competition at 10:30am. If you missed the slalom action from today make sure you check out the highlights video on the PWA website.

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Das war der windlose Tag 4:

Zitat von PWA

The 2011 VW PWA Reno World Cup Sylt

Day four: Whilst light winds prevented the slalom sailors from hitting the water, blazing sun and peeling waves provided the ultimate conditions for the Reno world cup SUP race and a tow wave sailing session.

The high pressure lingering over Europe continued to prevent the wind from building for the fourth day of competition, however waist high waves rolling into the event site kept the sailors and the huge crowd entertained throughout the day. As soon as the sea started to pulse the world’s elite windsurfers were quick to pick up their SUPs and surf boards to show their skills off in the surf.

Wanting to put on a show for the crowds, the PWA went to work organizing the Reno world cup SUP race and as soon as the €600 prize money was announced, the competitive athletes wasted no time in signing up their teams.

The format for the competition was simple; each team would be made up of three people and the teams must be mixed gender. The racing would take place in a relay format around a three-mark course that included a run in and out of the waves. The fastest team from each heat would advance into the final to fight for the prize money. The losing team with the fastest time would also earn a position in the final.

Heat one

Cedric Bordes (Tabou / Gaastra / Mystic) opened up the first round with amazing power putting his team in the lead with Danny Bruch (Starboard / Severne / AL360) in second and Valentin Bockler (Starboard / Severne / MFC) in third. Bordes made a swift hand over to Antoine Albeau (JP / NeilPryde) who muscled his way around the course providing his team with a huge lead, next up it was Fanny Aubet’s (JP / NeilPryde) time to shine and take the team to victory, but an enormous wave knocked her off her SUP, allowing super cool Iballa Ruano Moreno (Starboard / Severne) to overtake. Iballa remained cool, calm and collected the whole way around the course, and put the team into the final, to the applause of the crowds.

Heat two

It was a fierce battle around the first leg between Marcilio Browne (Fanatic / North / MFC) and Bjorn Dunkerbeck (Starboard / Severne / Mystic / DunkerbeckEyewear), Browne started fast and took the lead by the first mark, but the pressure of having the world champion behind him was too much and Browne went down. Dunkerbeck took advantage and overtook, but Browne’s speed was too much to handle and he made his way to the beach first. Browne performed a smooth handover to Kauli Seadi (JP / NeilPryde), who matched Browne’s pace on the SUP, putting the team significantly in the lead. It then came down Nayra Alonso (Fanatic / Severne) to fend off advances from Justyna Sniady and Eva Oude Ophuis (North / Fanatic). Alonso caught a big wave and flew into the beach to secure the team’s victory, opening up the doors to the final.

Despite not taking the win in their heat the superb team made up of Dunkerbeck, Oude Ophuis and Ricardo Campello (JP / NeilPryde / MFC), had put in the best non-qualifying time and it was enough to put them in the dramatic final.

Final

Having battled through the surf and around the treacherous race course once already the competitors looked a little tired, but that didn’t prevent them from giving it their all. Browne delivered another exceptional lap, keeping Dunkerbeck at a safe distance the whole way around the course, whilst Bruch lost control on a wave. Seadi stole the show with his performance putting the team two legs ahead of the rest. It then came down to Alonso to keep the lead, she stormed out to the first mark but a powerful wave caught up with her on the way in allowing Iballa and Eva Oude Ophuis to catch up, but Alonso was quickly back up and running and charging towards victory. The super-strong team made up of Browne, Seadi and Alonso were awarded their prize money on stage in front of the cheering spectators.

The Reno world cup SUP race winners

Marcilio Browne (Fanatic / North / MFC)
Nayra Alonso (Fanatic / Severne)
Kauli Seadi (JP / NeilPryde)

Following the competition the crowds were treated to an incredible wave tow in session featuring Campello, Seadi, Dario Ojeda (Tabou / Simmer / Dakine / MFC) and Browne being towed into the waist high waves by Albeau. The radical sailors were timing the runs to perfection to throw pushloops, backloops, huge goiters and some explosive crashes, much to the entertainment of everyone watching.

There is some breeze on the forecast for tomorrow and the PWA crew hopes to complete the final heats of elimination one in the slalom, the skippers’ meeting for all three fleets will kick off at 10am. If you missed the SUP and tow-in action today, then make sure you check out the highlights videos on the PWA website.

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Auch an Tag 5 kein Wind, sieht aus würde es dies Jahr gar keine Wertung geben...

Zitat von PWA

The 2011 VW PWA Reno World Cup Sylt

Day five: Estredo blows the competition out of the water in the second Reno world cup tow-in freestyle competition.

Another glorious day in Sylt meant that the slalom sailors were unable to hit the water to complete elimination one, however that didn’t stop the freestylers delivering an incredible show in the second Reno world cup tow-in freestyle competition.

Eighteen of the world’s finest freestylers were ready and raring to go at 11am to fight it out for the €1000 prize money. The sailors were quickly organized into four separate heats and provided with two attempts behind the Jet Ski to impress the judges with their most impressive tricks.

Heat 1

From the word go the action was insane with Marcilio Browne (Fanatic / North / MFC) pulling a textbook burner into flaka, setting the bar really high for his opponents. Anthony Ruenes (Tabou / Simmer) was quick to follow with a clean burner. Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra) usually avoids the tow-in sessions and he looked a little shaky on his first run, but by the time his second run arrived he was ready to go and he performed a spectacular double funnel. The Brit Max Rowe (Fanatic / North) pulled a really fast burner of his own but it wasn’t enough to see him into the final, with the places awarded to Ruenes and Browne.

Heat 2

The choppy conditions threw a number of the sailors in the second heat with Tonky Frans (Tabou / Gaastra) flying out of his foot straps trying a funnel and Julien Mas (Patrik / Hot Sails) crashing on the line-up. Nicolas Akgazciyan (Starboard / Gun) chose a different tactic by launching off the face of a wave to gain extra height and Mas upped the game to secure his place in the final by landing the only culo of the competition. Dieter Van Der Eyken (Starboard / Severne) made his way in to the final on the last run with an amazing air funnel.

Heat 3

Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2 / Gaastra) exploded into action with an enormous air funnel, but he lost control on the landing. It was then up to Ricardo Campello (JP / NeilPryde / MFC) to wow the crowds with a perfect planing burner. Both Youp Schmit (JP / NeilPryde / Dakine) and Andy Chambers (JP / NeilPryde) pulled burners off their own, but Van Broeckhoven was in control in his second run and he performed a massive burner by launching off the back of a wave and landing planing. Van Broeckhoven and Campello were rewarded for their efforts with a place in the final.

Heat 4

With one win already in the bag, Jose Estredo (Fanatic / North) was looking super-confident on his way out and going full speed; however he proved that he is still human and caught his board on a wave and went down. Despite spinning out on entry Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins) managed to land a perfect flaka diablo, but it was his burner flaka that really blew the judges away and provided him with his pass into the final. Estredo was back in the game on his second run throwing a perfect burner to ensure he was also in the final.

Final

The eight sailors that had earned their places in the final were shuffled into order depending on how highly they had scored in their opening heat, providing the highest scoring sailor Taty Frans with the biggest advantage by going last.

Van der Eyken and Ruenes opened the final with two crashes, allowing Van Broeckhoven to pull the highest scoring move first by landing a planing burner, but it was Estredo that really stole the show with a thirty point scoring burner into flaka putting his name firmly in the top spot. The remaining sailors tried to match the master with their moves but Estredo’s trick was leagues ahead of the rest. Having put in two runs each Campello and Van Broeckhoven were in tied in second place for their burners. The pair were provided with one more attempt to upstage each other, Van Broeckhoven nailed a planing burner to secure really high points, whilst Campello played it a little safe with a funnel.

The second Reno world cup tow freestyle session results:
1st Jose Estredo (Fanatic / North)
2nd Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2 / Gaastra)
3rd Ricardo Campello (JP / NeilPryde)

Following the amazing display, the sailors returned to the beach to receive their prizes and spent the remainder of the afternoon relaxing in the sun and surfing the waves until they were released at 5pm. The skippers meeting for all three fleets will kick off at 10am tomorrow morning.

Scope the action

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Das war Tag 6:

Zitat von PWA

The 2011 VW PWA Reno World Cup Sylt

Day six: Thousands of spectators head to the Reno World Cup to soak up the sun on the beach and mingle with the stars of the PWA.

There was a very relaxed feeling to the sixth day of competition at the 2011 VW PWA Reno world cup, due to the high pressure that is currently lingering over the majority of Europe, providing the last bout of summer before the winter sets in.

Thousands of spectators spent the day chilling on the beach, listening to the tunes from the resident DJ, and watching regular interviews with the world’s best windsurfers. The sailors spent the day relaxing in the sailors’ tent, hitting the water on SUPs or playing football on the beach.

We took the opportunity to catch up with one of the new boys to the tour, Bryan Metcalf-Perez (JP / NeilPryde / Dakine) who is currently ranked twenty-third in the freestyle, about his first year and being the only American freestyler.

PWA: So Bryan, tell us about your first year on tour.

Perez: “I have had a great year on tour, I haven’t achieved the result I was hoping for, but it has been an amazing learning experience as I had never competed before the tour. Even to beat some of the better guys this year is good enough for me in my first year.”

PWA: How does it feel to join the largest windsurfing tour in the world?

Perez: “I have been lucky because I knew a few of the guys before like Phil Soltysiak and Max Rowe who have really helped me out when it comes to arranging places to stay and where to be, otherwise I would have been pretty nervous. But it has been really exciting to go to these amazing windsurfing locations and sail with the world’s best, just being around these guys makes you feel like your improving.”

PWA: What is the freestyle scene like in the US; do you have many people you train with?

Perez: “There are some really amazing sailors in the US like Tyson Poor (JP / NeilPryde). A lot of the sailors are at the same standard as the top freestylers but they haven’t joined the tour, but it is really useful to have guys to train with back home.”

PWA: What are your plans for training this winter?

Perez: “I am going to go to Maui and train freestyle and I would also like to train in the waves so I can do some of the wave comps next year. I feel like I have all the moves so I am going to really focus on building the consistency so I can do them anytime in any conditions.

PWA: What are your goals for next season?

Perez: “I would really like to finish in the top ten next year. I think now that I have been to each of the events and sailed at all the spots I will be able to concentrate a lot more on my sailing in the competition environment, rather than worrying about where I need to be and getting to the event.”

PWA: What has been your favorite moment this year on tour?

Perez: “My favorite part of the tour was Vietnam, as we had really good wind there and the conditions suit my style of sailing, there were some waves so we could go for backloops and air chachoos.”

“My first heat against Gollito really stands out as well, at that point you really don’t worry about losing, you just go out there enjoy it and try keep up.”

PWA: What’s your favorite move?

Perez: “I love doing backloops, other than that it is the shaka.”

PWA: Thanks Bryan, any last words?

Perez: I’m looking forward to next year, staying focused and kicking ass!

Having spent the day waiting patiently on standby the sailors were released for the day at 5pm. The skippers’ meeting will kick off at 10am tomorrow morning for all three fleets.

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Das war der gestrige Tag:

Zitat von PWA

The 2011 VW PWA Reno World Cup Sylt
Day seven: The freestylers raise the bar and break the judge’s scales in the third Reno world cup tow-in freestyle competition.
The sun continued to shine down on the Reno world cup preventing the wind from building again, but it had little effect on the action. The light-wind master Caesar Finies (Starboard / NeilPryde), kept the crowds entertained throughout the morning with his spins, boomerangs and his infamous sail throw whilst they chilled out on the beach.
It was then up to the freestylers to step into the limelight for the third Reno world cup tow-in freestyle competition. With a thousand Euros up for grabs, extremely flat water and almost zero wind, the sailors blew both the judges and the spectators away with their new insane scale breaking moves.
Heat 1
The judges knew they were in for an exciting day when Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins) opened the competition up with a super-clean burner into flaka putting him straight in the final. Dieter Van Der Eyken (Starboard / Severne) and Nicolas Akgazciyan (Starboard / Gun) followed with a burner and a culo but both suffered a little spinning out on the landing. It was up to Ricardo Campello (JP / NeilPryde / MFC) to take the next place in the final, and he was obviously enjoying the massive crowds attention as he landed fully planing burner just meters away from the shore.
Heat 2
The world champion Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2 / Gaastra) looked confident as he left the beach, and rightly so as he stuck a perfect triple jumping funnel for a maximum thirty points on his first run. On their first run both Bjorn Saragoza (Starboard / Hot Sails) and Marcilio Browne (Fanatic / North / MFC) went down hard, whilst Yegor Popretinskiy (JP / NeilPryde / MFC) pulled a double funnel. With the pressure lying on their performance in the second run, Browne and Saragoza were focused. Browne pulled a really powerful burner into funnel scoring highly, but Saragoza was ready for the challenge and he landed a super-stylish one hand on hip funnel into funnel putting him through the heat.
Heat 3
Opening up the third heat Jose Estredo (Fanatic / North) added a bit of diversity by landing a fast burner into funnel boomerang for maximum points. Julien Mas (Patrik / Hot Sails) continued with the theme going for a culo but he dropped the landing, and Anthony Ruenes (Tabou / Simmer) tried his trademark no-handed burner but the sail caught in the water. Luck was on Tonky Frans (Tabou / Gaastra) side and he pulled a perfect air funnel into funnel to earn his place in the final. With his place in the final awarded with his first run, Estredo had nothing to lose and he burst into a mind-blowing funnel into burner earning him thirty four points.
Final
With so many outstanding sailors in the final, the world’s best went all out pulling crazy moves to earn the most points. Campello was first up pulling a really high funnel for 23.5 points, followed by Tonky with a double jumping funnel and Taty with a 29 point scoring burner into flaka. Saragoza lost control going for a huge air funnel over the top of the cameraman and Van Broeckhoven pulled a high burner into funnel. But all eyes were on Estredo and he wowed the spectators with the highest and faster burner into funnel in the competition for 31.5 points. On their second runs Taty was the man to watch landing a burner into flaka cana brava on the beach putting him in second place. The masters Van Broeckhoven and Tonky were joint in third place having had two runs each so a sail off was arranged. Tonky played it safe landing an air funnel, but risking everything Van Broeckhoven closed the competition with an astonishing triple jumping funnel.
The third Reno world cup tow-in freestyle competition results:
1st Jose Estredo (Fanatic / North)
2nd Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins)
3rd Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2 / Gaastra)
Following the amazing competition the sailors were released for the day, the skippers meeting for all three fleets will kick off at 10am tomorrow morning with the first possible start to competition at 10:30am. Make sure you check out the highlights video on the PWA website to see all of today’s moves again.

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Das war Tag 8, heute nur noch Siegerehrung:

Zitat von PWA

The 2011 VW PWA Reno World Cup Sylt

Day eight: Blazing sun, enormous crowds, a ferocious SUP race and an incredible night tow-in freestyle session make the eighth day in Sylt a memorable one.

Despite the light wind, the event site was flooded with weekend spectators sun bathing on the beach, listening to the interviews with the PWA stars, watching the Reno World Cup SUP race and the Panasonic night tow-in freestyle competition.

Having spent the morning chilling in the sunshine, the sailors were eager for some action and ready to give everything they had in the Reno world cup SUP race. Extremely flat water ensured that the combination of power and endurance was essential to gain the extra advantage over the competition.

Six teams made up of four sailors each including one female in each team were organised into two heats and then it was up to them to furiously paddle their way around the three mark race course.

Heat 1

Steve Allen (Starboard / Severne) and Cedric Bordes (Tabou / Gaastra / Mystic) both had a blistering start to the racing with Caesar Finies (Starboard / NeilPryde) going a little slower. Bordes managed to push ahead and hand the baton over to Julien Quentel (RRD / NeilPryde) who looked super-powerful on the SUP, really putting the French team in the lead. The event organiser Matias and Boujmaa Guilloul (Starboard / Severne / Mystic) had a battle for second and third, but Guilloul managed to keep his team in second. It was then up to Antoine Albeau (JP / NeilPryde) to keep his team in the lead, Albeau flew around the course and handed over to Fanny Aubet (JP / NeilPryde) who managed to fend off advances from Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic) putting her team in the final.

Heat 2

Bjorn Dunkerbeck (Starboard / Severne / Mystic / DunkerbeckEyewear) and Kauli Seadi (JP / NeilPryde) had a fierce fight around the opening lap of the race with Ludovic Jossin (Loft) in third. Keeping the race close Marcilio Browne (Fanatic / North / MFC) and Dario Ojeda (Tabou / Simmer / Dakine / MFC) went side by side around the course. It was then up to Danny Bruch (Starboard / Severne / AL360) to put his team in the lead ahead of Ricardo Campello (JP / NeilPryde / MFC). Finishing the race and putting her team in the final, Iballa Ruano Moreno (Starboard / Severne) paddled hard and squeezed ahead of Nayra Alonso (Fanatic / Severne) to the cheers of the huge crowd.

Final

Having put the fastest time in out of the non-qualifying teams Alonso, Browne, Seadi and Campello also made their way into the epic final race.

It was a particularly close first lap of the course from Quentel, Dunkerbeck and Browne, but obviously fired up and determined to win Dunkerbeck pushed hard on the final straight putting his team in the lead. A swift hand over to Ojeda put the team further in the lead but Seadi’s and Bordes exceptional techniques allowed them to close the gap slightly. Ojeda handed over to Bruch and Bordes handed over to Albeau. Albeau took to the water with all guns blazing and nearly managed to get his SUP planning, his performance provided the team with a whole legs lead. It then came down to Aubet to bring the victory home for the team. Iballa and Alonso tried their best to catch Aubet but she was consistent and was able to bring her team to victory.

The second Reno world cup SUP race winners:

Antoine Albeau (JP / NeilPryde)
Cedric Bordes (Tabou / Gaastra / Mystic)
Julien Quentel (RRD / NeilPryde)
Fanny Aubet (JP / NeilPryde)

The Panasonic night tow-in freestyle competition

The beach was completely full of spectators ready to be wowed by the world’s finest freestylers in the Panasonic night tow-in freestyle competition. Having had plenty of time to practice all week the sailors didn’t hold back with their moves and they put on an insane show.

The opening heats witnessed six amazing sailors earn their places in the final, with the world champion Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2 / Gaastra) pulling an incredible thirty point scoring triple jumping funnel and Browne landing at perfect burner into funnel to put him through. The brothers from Bonaire, Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins) and Tonky Frans (Tabou / Gaastra) blew the judges away with their moves putting them straight into the final. Heat number three saw Bjorn Saragoza (Starboard / Hot Sails) secure his place with a double jumping funnel and Jose Estredo (Fanatic / North) nailing a burner into funnel for maximum points.

The sailors knew they had to up the game for the final, but unfortunately Estredo went down on both his moves. Taty nailed a jumping double funnel but it wasn’t enough as Browne and Saragoza were on fine form landing their own amazing moves. Closing the competition Van Broeckhoven pulled a super-fast triple funnel to earn him his first tow-in competition win in Sylt.

The Panasonic night tow-in freestyle competition results:

1st Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2 / Gaastra)
2nd Bjorn Saragoza (Starboard / Hot Sails)
3rd Marcilio Browne (Fanatic / North / MFC)

The final day of the 2011 VW PWA Reno world cup will kick off tomorrow morning with the skippers’ meeting for all three fleets at 10am, first possible start at 10:30am.

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Das war's:

Zitat von PWA

The 2011 VW PWA Reno World Cup Sylt

Event summary: Sylt is hit by ten day of summer preventing the breeze from building but it didn’t stop it being an incredible event full of amazing action from the stars of the PWA.

The world’s finest windsurfers were treated to ten days of stunning weather on Westerland beach in Sylt as a high pressure lingering over Europe brought with it blazing sun, but it also prevented the flags from flying. Despite the wind and waves not making an appearance it didn’t stop the event from being as amazing as ever. Hundreds of thousands of spectators made their way to the event site throughout the week to meet the stars of the PWA, see the trade stalls, listen to the interviews and to enjoy the warm weather.

The huge crowds were also treated to four astonishing tow-in freestyle competitions, SUP races, wave tow-in action, at spot of slalom racing, surfing and the world champions being crowned at the prize giving. The fleets remained patiently on standby throughout the week but were unable to take part in any official competition, therefore leaving the results and world rankings unchanged.

A round of slalom

When the flags started to flutter on the third day, the race crew wasted no time in sending the slalom fleet out to sea. Winds reading around 8-12 knots made for particularly tactful racing on the sailors largest equipment. Ten races of elimination one were completed, however it wasn’t quite enough to achieve an official result.

But, it was enough to see some exceptional sailing from Ross Williams (Tabou / Gaastra), Alberto Menegatti (Starboard / Gaastra), Arnon Dagan (Tabou / Gaastra), Kurosh Kiani (Simmer / Angulo) and the flying Frenchman Cedric Bordes (Tabou / Gaastra / Mystic). The sailors destroyed their opponents in the light wind and made their way into the next round with ease. The crowds also witnessed some upsets as big players Finian Maynard (RRD), Peter Bijl (JP / NeilPryde) and Peter Volwater (Fanatic / MauiSails) as they all went out the elimination early, fortunately for them the round didn’t count towards their overall ranking.

The slalom fleet remained on standby throughout the remaining days however, the high pressure hanging over Europe refused to move, preventing any wind from building.

Freestyle and wave fleets

Bar the tow-in freestyle and wave action the fleets were unable to hit the water for any official heats, therefore leaving the results and rankings unchanged. Having sailed two insane competitions this season and walked away with first places at both events Daida Ruano Moreno (Starboard / Severne) has managed to retain the world title for another year.

Tow-in freestyle

Throughout the week the world’s elite freestylers battled it out in four insane tow-in freestyle competitions. With 1000 Euros up for grabs each time, the sailors went all out trying to upstage each other with every run, much to the delight of the huge crowds.

Kicking off the week, Jose Estredo (Fanatic / North) was the man on fire behind the jet ski, wowing the judges with his super-fast burners into funnels, the world champion Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2 / Gaastra) proved he was also handy in the light winds launching into tremendous air funnels off the back of the small waves.

As the week progressed the water flattened off and the sailors got more and more used to the tow-in allowing them to break the boundaries of tow-in freestyle and up the game with the moves they were pulling. Estredo remained on amazing form winning the next two competitions, breaking the judges’ scales with mind-blowing funnel in burners. The brothers from Bonaire Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins) and Tonky Frans (Tabou / Gaastra) brought their unique style to the competition going for each move one-handed or as close to the crowds as possible.

Also making a guest appearance in the tow-in, former world freestyle champions Ricardo Campello (JP / NeilPryde / MFC) and the Marcilio Browne (Fanatic / North / MFC) dusted off their freestyle boards and delivered spectacular burners and burners into funnel to make the podiums.

The crescendo for the tow-in came in the form of the Panasonic night tow-in freestyle competition. The beach was jam-packed full of spectators, and the water was lit-up with powerful spot lights, providing an amazing stage for the world best to do their thing. Van Broeckhoven made his way into the final with ease by landing a perfect triple jumping funnel, as did Estredo with one of the fastest burner- funnels of the week. Also excelling was Bjorn Saragoza (Starboard / Hot Sails) who delivered a super-stylish one-handed double funnel.

Having been so amazing all week, Estredo was unlucky in the final and he went down on both of his moves, opening up the top spot for Van Broeckhoven to step-up with a triple funnel. Saragoza made his way onto the podium for the first time this season with a double air funnel and Browne stole third with a perfect burner into funnel.

SUP races

Wanting to keep the action going the PWA arranged two adrenaline fuelled SUP races, the sailors arranged themselves into three and four man teams and fought their way around the three-mark course. Proving they had the most power, the elite team made up of Browne, Kauli Seadi (JP / NeilPryde) and Nayra Alonso (Fanatic / Severne) left the competition in their wake in the first race when the waves were up, but favoring the flat water the French team made up of Antoine Albeau (JP / NeilPryde), Cedric Bordes (Tabou / Gaastra / Mystic), Julien Quentel (RRD / NeilPryde) and Fanny Aubet (JP / NeilPryde) stole the show in the second race.

The official 2011 men’s slalom rankings
Bjorn Dunkerbeck (Starboard / Severne / Mystic / DunkerbeckEyewear) has returned to glory in the 2011 season, having played second fiddle to Antoine Albeau (JP / NeilPryde) for the last five year. Dunkerbeck has delivered a fantastic season of races and has been seen to recover from even the trickiest of situations. Antoine Albeau (JP / NeilPryde) has secured his podium finish with two event wins, and in third place sits Ben Van Der Steen (Starboard / Loft / Mystic) having had an exceptional season on tour.

1st Bjorn Dunkerbeck (Starboard / Severne / Mystic / DunkerbeckEyewear)
2nd Antoine Albeau (JP / NeilPryde)
3rd Ben Van Der Steen (Starboard / Loft / Mystic)
4th Cyril Moussilmani (Starboard / North)
5th Finian Maynard (RRD)
6th Micah Buzianis (JP / NeilPryde)
7th Peter Volwater (Fanatic / MauiSails)
8th Julien Quentel (RRD / NeilPryde)
9th Josh Angulo (Angulo / Gun / Dakine)
10th Jimmy Diaz (Starboard / North)

The official 2011 men’s youth (U.22) slalom rankings.
With so many experienced sailors the slalom fleet is a particularly tough fleet to crack, where experience often overrules natural talent. However the tour always needs new blood and there is no better way than to improve than take on your elders.

There were many talented youths fighting their way around the race course this year, but it is Jules Denel (Exocet) that walks away with the youth slalom champion trophy. Denel been charging this season and has been up there with the best of them. We expect big things from Denel next season.

1st Jules Denel (Exocet)
2nd Matteo Iachino (JP / Gaastra / Mystic / AL360)
3rd Oliver-Tom Schliemann (Starboard / North)

The official 2011 men’s freestyle ranking
It has been a rough ride for the freestylers this season but Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2 / Gaastra) has emerged victorious. Van Broeckhoven has blown the judges away at all seven of the stops this year with his huge moves and has rightfully been awarded the world title. Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra) has had his most successful year on tour winning two events to put him in second, and Jose Estredo (Fanatic / North) wowed the crowds in the Canaries to finish in third.

1st Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2 / Gaastra)
2nd Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra)
3rd Jose Estredo (Fanatic / North)
4th Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins)
5th Davy Scheffers (Tabou / Gaastra)
6th Tonky Frans (Tabou / Gaastra)
7th Anthony Ruenes (Tabou / Simmer)
8th Dieter Van der Eyken (Starboard / Severne)
9th Philip Soltysiak (Starboard / Dakine)
10th Bjorn Saragoza (Starboard / Hot Sails)

The official 2011 men’s wave rankings
All eyes have been on the youth star Philip Koster (Starboard / NeilPryde / Dakine / Maui Ultra Fins) this season and with three event wins under his belt it is no surprise. Koster has slayed his opponents with his incredible planing double forward all season. The man with some of the highest jumps on tour Ricardo Campello (JP / NeilPryde / MFC) sits in second place, and Brazilian Kauli Seadi (JP / NeilPryde) has earned third for his stunning wave riding.

1st Philip Koster (Starboard / NeilPryde / Dakine / Maui Ultra Fins)
2nd Ricardo Campello (JP / NeilPryde / MFC)
3rd Kauli Seadi (JP / NeilPryde)
4th Victor Fernandez Lopez (Fanatic / North)
5th Daniel Bruch (Starboard / Severne / AL 360)
6th Dario Ojeda (Tabou / Simmer / Dakine)
7th Thomas Traversa (Tabou / Gaastra)
8th Alex Mussolini (Tabou / Gaastra)
9th Marcilio Browne (Fanatic / North / MFC)
10th Ross Williams (Tabou / Gaastra)

The official 2011 women’s wave rankings
Daida Ruano Moreno (Starboard / Severne) has defended her title for another year, she has made sure she is a step ahead of her opponents all season by throwing the highest stalled forward and even a few doubles. In second place her sister Iballa Ruano Moreno (Starboard / Severne) has been flying higher than ever to make sure she made every final, and in third place Nayra Alonso (Fanatic / Severne) has had an extremely successful year on tour, slaying her opponents with her super-stylish wave riding.

1st Daida Ruano Moreno (Starboard / Severne)
2nd Iballa Ruano Moreno (Starboard / Severne)
3rd Nayra Alonso (Fanatic / Severne)
4th Karin Jaggi (Patrik / Severne)
5th Evi Tsape (F2 / North)
6th Laure Treboux (Fanatic / North)
7th Alice Arutkin (Starboard / North)
7th Fanny Aubet (JP / NeilPryde)
7th Heike Reimann (Hot Sails)

The official 2011 constructor’s rankings

All season the brands have been battling it out for the constructor crown, over in the board front Starboard have snatched the crown with four world champions to their name. JP has taken second with just one point separating them from Fanatic.

NeilPryde walk away as the 2011 sail constructor champions, but it was a close fight as Severne and North sails sit just one and two points behind.
Boards
1st Starboard
2nd JP
3rd Fanatic
4th Tabou
5th F2

Sails
1st NeilPryde
2nd Severne
3rd North Sails
4th Gaastra
5th Simmer Sails

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