2010 PWA Grand Prix Pozo– Day 4, 09.07.10:
Three times Pozo champion Victor Fernandez claims victory in the men’s fleet in an epic double elimination showdown to add a fourth trophy to his cabinet!!!

Following a faultless display in the single, three times Pozo champion, Victor Fernandez spent much of the day watching the water to find out who would challenge him. It was clear from Campello’s early charge that defending his position wasn’t going to be the easiest of tasks, and when Koster entered the water it began to look impossible.

Fernandez put together an amazing heat, which would normally have blown every other sailor straight from the water. However, this was kid Koster, not any other. Koster wowed the crowds once again with slick rides and sky high jumps, matching Fernandez move for move in the heat. It was a very close call, but Koster claimed victory, meaning the three times Pozo champion would have to battle with him once more to find the true 2010 winner.

The second final was another epic showdown of jumping talent and wave riding expertise, with both sailors scoring huge double forwards, and perfect tabletop push loops. Their jumping scores were almost identical, so it went down to the wire on the waves. Koster was busting out all of the moves including takas, goitas, and 360s, all on the same wave, but so was Fernandez. What Koster lacked however were the smooth transitions that Fernandez had dialled, which impressed the judges as much as the moves, and allowed the Spaniard to claim his well-deserved victory.

Victor Fernandez:
“I feel incredible right now, it hasn’t really sunk in yet, but I’m sure it will later. All of my friends on the beach told me when I came off the water that I’d won, but you can never be sure until it’s been announced. I tried to get my jumps in within the first few minutes, and then concentrate on my riding, but if the right ramp came along, I’d go for another jump, and it worked out really well. I landed a goita, and a backside 360 on the same wave, which I was really pleased with.

Over the next few weeks I’ve got a few more Spanish events in the Canaries, in fact one of them begins tomorrow! So, it’s a bit of a long week for me. Then I’m off to Tenerife for another Spanish contest. After that, I’m going to head home to recover, and recharge my batteries in time for Klitmoller.”

Early in the morning, 2009 Sylt wave runner up, Klaas Voget (Fanatic, Simmer, MFC) began to lead the charge. Amongst his armoury were some awesome one handed back loops, and double forwards, but the real move of the moment that won him many a heat was his perfectly executed wave 360. Voget hit the critical section with precision time after time which pleased the judges again and again. Voget looked to be unstoppable, but then unfortunately an on form Dany Bruch knocked him out.

Nayra Alonso defended her position in 4th place with some stylish waves and Marcilio finished 5th in the end.

BIG CONGRATS VICTOR, who now won this event for the 4th time & well done to the rest of the team, what a result!!!

Results Men:
1st Victor Fernandez (Fanatic, North, MFC)
2nd Philip Koster (Starboard, NeilPryde, Dakine)
3rd Ricardo Campello (JP, NeilPryde, MFC)
4th Dario Ojeda (Tabou, Simmer)
5th Marcilio Browne (Fanatic, North, MFC)

Results Women:
1st Daida Ruano Moreno (Starboard, Severne)
2nd Iballa Ruano Moreno (Starboard, Severne)
3rd Karin Jaggi (Patrik, Severne)
4th Nayra Alonso (Fanatic, Severne)
5th Steffi Wahl (Patrik, Gaastra)

For more information:
PWA Worldcup

2010 PWA Grand Prix Pozo– Day 3, 08.07.10:
Victor Fernandez, winner of the Pozo first round, Marcilio Browne & Nayra Alonso 4th place!
Three times Pozo champion, Victor Fernandez (Fanatic, North, MFC) stole the show from local lad, and 2009 Pozo champion, Philip Köster (Starboard, NeilPryde, Dakine) in an epic showdown of world-class talent. Fernandez flew through his early round heats taking the scalp of many past world champions, including the former overall world champion, Kevin Pritchard (Starboard, Gaastra, Dakine) in the third round. Top contender from Tenerife, Dany Bruch (Patrik, Severne) who put up an excellent fight, and was on fire busting out his trademark one handed back loops with copious amounts of style, but couldn’t quite match Fernandez’s double forwards. He then beat fellow team mate, and former freestyle world champion, Marcilio Browne (Fanatic, North), who’s riding was no match for Fernandez, before going on to meet Köster in the final.
Köster’s jumping wowed the crowds throughout the day, with whoops and cheers coming from every angle when he launched into orbit. His stalled doubles were some of the most impressive jumps ever seen in world cup competition, making him without doubt the standout jumper of the day. However, in the final he failed to match the insane jumps that had pulled him through his heats earlier in the day, and Fernandez was almost on a par with huge faultless doubles of his own. Fernandez was also milking waves for all they’re worth, flying round 360s, and adding takas with ease. Köster almost caught up, and could have claimed the final if only he’d nailed some technical turns along with his awesome double taka, allowing Fernandez to claim the crown on the narrowest of victories with a 3-2 decision.

Victor & Marcilio both were riding the new Fanatic Quad 2011 production prototypes!! Great performance in some tough conditions, let´s hope the boys can show an even better performance tomorrow in the better conditions which are forecasted.

In the womens fleet Nayra Alonso finished 4th. Well done to all so far!!!

Results Men:
1st Victor Fernandez (Fanatic, North, MFC)
2nd Philip Köster (Starboard, NeilPryde, Dakine)
3rd Dario Ojeda (Tabou, Simmer, Dakine, MFC)
4th Marcilio Browne (Fanatic, North, MFC)
5th = Marcos Perez (Exocet, Gun)
5th = Alex Mussolini (Tabou, Vandal)
5th = Dany Bruch (Patrik, Severne)
5th = Ricardo Campello (JP, NeilPryde, MFC)

Results Women:
1st Daida Ruano Moreno (Starboard, Severne)
2nd Iballa Ruano Moreno (Starboard, Severne)
3rd Karin Jaggi (Patrik, Severne)
4th Nayra Alonso (Fanatic, Severne)

2010 PWA Grand Prix Pozo– Day 2, 07.07.10:
Wind was kind of ok, but the waves haven't built to a sufficient level. A few heats were started though and Alessio and Leon went ahead!

When Victor hit the water for a bit of a warm up in the afternoon everyone on the beach immediately stopped and stared at the 3 times Pozo champ. Fernandez played up to the crowds with a huge forward inches from the beach. It looks like he'll be tough to beat when his heat gets underway....
 
2010 PWA Grand Prix Pozo– Day 1, 06.07.10:
Wave sailing’s elite arrived in Pozo to battle it out in the relentless wind and waves with the local hotshots, but were left becalmed on the boulders, creating an unusually relaxed vibe for the opening day of world-class competition.
 
A windless trials also left all of those hoping to qualify for an entry eagerly awaiting the close of registration. In the end, there was a full fleet with just a couple of wildcard places available leaving many young guns disappointed to not make the cut.
 
Fanatic´s favourites are Victor Fernandez (E-42) who won this event three times in the past and finished 2nd last year, Marcilio Browne (BRA-105), Klaas Voget (G-4), Peter Volwater (H-24), Gollito Estredo (V-01) Laure Treboux (SUI-4) and Nayra Alonso (E-4) but also local youngster Alessio Stillrich and the young Leon Jamaer have a lot of potential to watch out for!

With the current forecast, and Pozo’s reputation, the organizers remain hopeful that we’ll see some awesome action on the water, and the competition will get underway tomorrow morning on schedule.