PWA World Cup Tiree-Victor&Jonas 1st&2nd at Jump Session!

14.10.2007

The Corona Extra PWA World Cup ’07 – Event Summary:

The PWA tour visited Scotland to settle the 2007 wave sailing world title and conclude an astonishing season of competition. After an anxious week Brazilian Kauli Seadi lifted the trophy ahead of Victor Fernandez (Fanatic) and Josh Angulo. Big congrats to Victor!!!

The Isle of Tiree was the latest addition to the ground-breaking 2007 PWA wave tour and, as the final event of the season, had the honor of crowning the 2007 world champion.

In the run-up to this unique mobile event the points race was tight and the pressure rested firmly on tour runner-up, 23-year-old Victor Fernandez (Fanatic) of Spain.Topping the leader board was Brazilian Kauli Seadi (Quatro / Naish) 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 – as 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.

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.

But windsurfing is a sport for those tolerant of Mother Nature and the elite pros of the PWA scene are no strangers to being held at the mercy of both tide and time, and find it easy to spend time relaxing and waiting for the elements to deliver.

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.
With the race against time on, the first round eventually ran through and the focus turned to the top seeds wrestling for the title and the remaining podium contenders.
No one could have been tenser than Victor. His two event victories were not enough to displace Seadi who’d made every final of the season including his recent victory in Ibiraquera.
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 place.

Of the 6 remaining top 10 riders in contention for third overall, all bar one had advanced to the third round and subsequently into the prize money.

2007 Overall Men’s Wave Sailing Results:
1. Kauli Seadi (Quatro / Naish)
2. Victor Fernandez (Fanatic /Simmer)
3. Josh Angulo
4. Nik Baker (Mistral / North)
5. Kevin Pritchard (Starboard /MauiSails)

More info:
www.pwaworldtour.com

The Corona Extra PWA World Cup ’07 – Day Two, 08.10.07:

Tiree springs into action with a super-charged Go Faster Energy Drinks Super Session clinched by Spanish aerial whiz Victor Fernandez (Fanatic)!

Dawn beach checks reported ample wind but small surf around the Island this morning.
Not wanting to waste decent breeze, event sponsor Go Faster Energy Drinks decided to kick everyone into life again by throwing down $750 for a full-on Super Session to give the afternoon an extra boost.
Two 15-minute heats containing 15 men were subsequently sent out to impress the judges with their best jumping moves for the free form all-or-bust format. Victor Fernandez (Fanatic / Simmer) and Eleazar Alonso Sanchez (Fanatic / NeilPryde) looked like the early form players from the first heat with some stylish tabletop forwards, one-handed back loops and shakas. They advanced to the final alongside fellow Gran Canarian jump-specialists Jonas Ceballos (Fanatic / Simmer), Vidar Jensen (North) and Regis Bouron. Heat 2 was harder as the wind backed-off a little, but some sweet clew-first back loops and air chachos from Kauli Seadi (Quatro / Naish) and Ben Proffitt (Fanatic / Simmer) scored well in the fluky conditions.

Eventually Victor Fernandez sealed the deal with a crazy and contorted corkscrew rotation to render the barrage of air chachos and one-handed back loops insufficient. Hot on Fernandez’s heels was fellow Spaniard Jonas Ceballos and the wave sailing tour leader, and event favorite Kauli Seadi who also earned a chunk of the cash! Big congrats Victor & Jonas!!!

The outlook tomorrow is for increasing swell but light breeze. However later in the week there is some solid surf forecast and the chance of some stronger wind.


The Corona Extra PWA World Cup ’07 – Day One, 07.10.07:

The raw Atlantic coastline of Tiree, Scotland, lies dormant and calm as the world’s best wave sailor’s wait for an incoming onslaught of wind and surf. Early morning beach checks revealed the accuracy of the forecasts. Last night the riders were given a traditional Scottish welcome at the event HQ hosted by the local community and the sponsors as they celebrate the 2007 Year of Culture for the Scottish Highlands.

Forecasts for tomorrow are more optimistic for wind and waves, especially in the afternoon. The outlook for later in the week is also good for strong wind and powerful swell.

Fanatic´s Victor Fernandez arrived in Scotland ranked second overall and hungry to deny Seadi a second shot at the title. Fernandez has won two events already this year and is sure to go all-out to win his first wave sailing crown. In fact the title can only be won by Fernandez or Seadi meaning the pressure and expectation placed upon them is massive....

Source: PWA