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| 31|07|2006 | [10] freestyle
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| The 2006 Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam Final Day
Venezuelan Freestyle sensation, Jose Estredo (V-1, Fanatic/ North Sails) wins his first PWA Grand Slam after securing victory in the second double elimination in Sotavento, Fuerteventura. In the women’s battle Sarah-Quita Offringa (ARU-91 Starboard / Maui Sails) of Aruba, wins her first ever major event also winning both double eliminations.
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|  | | | Golito one-handed ponch | |
The second double elimination got underway this morning in excellent conditions.
The standard was off the scale today with winds blowing up to 30 knots and even the early heats certainly tested the judges. Kauli Seadi (BRA-253, Quatro/ Naish) and Anthony Ruenes (F-85, Tabou/ Gaastra) had to have a re-sail after a rare tie, but Seadi came out on top before losing his next heat against Kiri Thode (NB-61 Gaastra / Starboard).
Thode was looking dangerous after his defeat of Seadi, and next to suffer at his hands were Douglas Diaz (V-34, Fanatic/ North), and world champion Ricardo Campello (V-111, JP/ Neil Pryde) before he eventually lost to German freestyle specialist, Norman Gunzlein (G-186, JP / NeilPryde). Gunzlein’s skills in the choppy strong wind conditions really impressed the judges, especially when he beat form player, and many peoples favourite to win the event, Taty Frans (NB-9, Starboard / MauiSails). Gunzlein also pushed Estredo really heard in the semi-final, daring to mimic the young Venezuelan’s signature move the Burner. A tight decision gave Estredo the verdict to face single elimination winner Antxon Otaegui (E-169, JP/ NeilPryde).
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|  | | | Antxon misses the final | |
Then in a cruel twist of fate Otaegui injured himself badly in the warm up preceding the final, handing Estredo the win. "I’m so sorry for Antxon, and I hope the injury is not serious for him" Estredo stated on being told the news. South America’s hottest talent even went on the water to give a solo performance regardless in a sporting gesture to his missing finalist. "Despite not completing the second double elimination I am super super happy to win my first ever Grand Slam, and I will do all that I can possible to win the next one too! I trained so hard every day since last year for this moment, and to make a difference from last year - so far it seems to have paid off! I was really relaxed after the first double elimination final, and then I got nervous as Taty won. But my nerves eased when Taty lost the re-sail. It’s a shame Anxton was hurt as I really wanted to show him what I could do!"
High winds and choppy conditions challenged the women’s fleet today and an on-form Nayra Alonso (E-4, Fanatic/ Severne) capitalised when she took the major scalp of Iballa Moreno (E-63, Mistral/ North Sails).Alonso also beat experienced competitor Junko Nagoshi (J-11 F2 / Simmer) before she eventually lost to fellow Spaniard Silvia Alba (E-67). Alba was coping with the conditions well and presented a real threat to her next opponent Daida Moreno (E-64, Mistral/ North Sails); but the multiple world champions variety of tricks and consistent execution of manoeuvres spelt the end for Alba. Next up for Moreno was the single elimination runner up, 2006 debutant, Laure Treboux (SUI-4 Naish / Naish). Treboux had already beaten Moreno in the first single and double eliminations and must have gone into this encounter with a certain amount of confidence. But Moreno came out with all guns blazing, digging deep into her high wind repertoire with one-footed forwards, one-handed spocks and flakas. Treboux struggled in the lack of smooth water and Moreno advanced to the final against Offringa.
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| |  | | | Sarah-Quita Puneta | |
Moreno’s fight back against the new skool looked to be complete after the first of two finals, when the 16 year old Aruban fell on many moves whilst Moreno racked up the points. Moreno won and forced a re-sail to decide the double elimination winner. This time Offringa sailed tactically, and made shuvit’s’ spock combinations and a perfect flaka. "I fell a lot in the first final, but after I lost I actually relaxed, and because of that I focused and won - this first Grand Slam win means everything to me! The difference between this year and last year, my first year on tour, is in training as last season I tried many moves that I couldn’t complete under the pressure of competition; but now I can!"
Event Organiser and host Rene Egli was blown away by the standard of the ladies competition today and during the event. "I was happy to see freestyle return to Fuerteventura, especially for the women, as the numbers of talented ladies entering is growing and the standard is really high compared to previous seasons. I think it is important that the crowds who flock here, get to see just how exciting a show these athletes put on. In many sports there is a gulf between the men’s and ladies in terms of standard, but in windsurfing that gap is much narrower and a great spectacle for anyone watching. That’s why we really look forward to welcoming the women’s event back here in coming seasons"
The freestyle tour is now lead by two young talents who have lived up to all their expectations. Only time will tell if they have what it takes to stop their experienced rivals fighting back. One thing is for certain is the standard that is required continues to grow at a frightening pace as event the first round heats now highlight with the level of tricks performed.
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Autor: PWA, Pix: Carter | |
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