El Yaque National Open-Yoli&Gollito won Freestyle!

25.02.2008

1st El National Open in Freestyle and Slalom - Gollito & Yoli won Freestyle!

Three days finest Freestyle, the top worldcup riders Gollito Estredo, Ricardo Campello, Andre Paskowski, Cheo Diaz and co. as favourites, plus Slalomraces, Womens Freestyle and the El Yaque Juniors. That was the first National Open Championships in El Yaque between the 21st – 23rd of February. Many PWA and EFPT top riders inscribed for the contest. Already at day one the wind started blowing and so the Juniors and Women could start their Freestyle rounds. In the ladies elimination, local Yoli de Brendt (Fanatic/North Sails/ION) made good use of her home-advantage and and sailed easily to the top podium position. In the Juniors Elimination the fight was much harder and the winner was Deivis Paternina. He just started windsurfing 13 months ago and already impressed with Switch Stance Chachoos, Flaka Diablos, Eslider and co. and so won his first contest ever!

To name all big names of El Yaque Freestyle would be almost endless, 4 of the last 5 world titles went to the small Caribbean Village, but of course Ricardo Campello and Gollito Estredo (Fanatic/North Sails/ION) started as top favourites. But Cheo Diaz (RRD/Simmer), Andre Paskowski (Fanatic/North Sails/ION), Andy Chambers (Starboard/Tushingham), Phil Soltysiak (Starboard/Sailworks) and all the other PWA and EFPT Riders were willing and able to fight for the title. But it came like expected, two times EFPT Champ Andre Paskowski and 2006 PWA World Champ Gollito Estredo and Ricardo Campello and Cheo Diaz had to face each other for the final. Gollito Estredo left Andre Paskowski no chance in the semi final, neither to Cheo Diaz, who advanced with a solid heat over Ricardo Campello. With extreme One Handed Burner 360, No Hand Flaka Cana Brava and many more moves of this category, the 18 year old El Yaque local confirmed is status as top Favourite for the 2008 PWA Worldcup season.

For the Mens Salom all Venezuelan top riders had inscribed, like multiple Venezuelan Champion Alexis Carache and World Cup experienced Diony Guadagnino (Mistral/Hot Sails Maui). But it became a fight between the Top Freestylers for the first three places. Andre Paskowski won race number one, Gollito Estredo the next two races, but in the end Ricardo Campello was standing on the highest podium place. With constant second places and one win he secured his first place in front of Gollito Estredo and Andre Paskowski. Alexis Carache and Diony Guadagnino had tob e happy with a fourth and fifth place.

After a big Samba Night as opening ceremony, a Beach BBQ at day two of the event, the first national open Championchips were crowned with a live concert of South Americas top reggaeband Negus Nagast.

Results:

Freestyle Men
1. Gollito Estredo (Fanatic/North Sails/ION)
2. Cheo Diaz (RRD/Simmer)
3. Andre Paskowski (Fanatic/North Sails/ION)

Freestyle Ladies:
1. Yoli de Brendt (Fanatic/North Sails/ION)
2. Rosmary Rodriguez
3. Zoe Najim

Freestyle Juniors:
1. Deivis Paternina
2. Luis Carillo
3. Douglas Edoardo

Slalom Men:
1. Ricardo Campello (JP/Neilpryde)
2. Gollito Estredo (Fanatic/North Sails/ION)
3. Andre Paskowski (Fanatic/North Sails/ION)