PWA Fuerte-Gollito 1st, Brawzinho&Yoli 3rd!

2009/07/31

Gollito Estredo is the undisputed champion of Fuerteventura! Marcilio Browne finished 3rd, Yoli de Brendt 3rd & Nayra Alonso 4th! This is a super result and we are really happy to have 2 Fanatic riders in the men and women top 5!

After a day full of expectations, the two best freestylers in the world have held firm in Fuerteventura. Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic/North Sails/MFC) and Sara-Quita Offringa (Starboard/NeilPryde) punched the sky as they were officially announced as the event’s winners at the packed beach. The wind, once again, refused to blow enough to run a contest.

Yesterday, the kind words by Nayra Alonso (Fanatic/Severne/MFC) neatly summarized her astonishing abilities. Offringa was described as an untouchable, and the sort of talent that only comes around in sport on a very few occasions. To add to this already glowing report, she is also a wonderful person, always humble, always full of praise for her opponents, and always incredibly modest.

After two days of waiting in unbearable heat, the competitors came down to the beach this morning unsure of what to expect. There were signs of wind early on, and they all knew that if the competition started before 10.00, a full double elimination was on the cards. As the morning progressed, it became apparent that the trades would not kick in, and at 10.30, the official event was called to a close. An expression session was scheduled for the afternoon if the wind returned.

At 11.30, the wind began to fill in. The first to hit the water were the European super star Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2/MauiSails), Kiri Thode (Starboard/Gaastra), Yegor Popretinskiy (JP/NeilPryde/MFC) and Davy Scheffers (Tabou/Gaastra). These four made the most of the light wind conditions, as they launched into high ponchs, air funnells, and burners. Their attitude was infectious, and their talent obvious, and soon the rest of the competitors followed.

For an hour before lunch, the thermal heat wave gave way to a short period of 25-knot trades, which saw the entire fleet take to the water to try and train for the super session. The scene was incredible – 40 of the world’s best windsurfers gave it their all to impress the enormous crowd that filled the white sand of Sotavento.

Always eager to impress his fans, Tonky Frans (F2/Gaastra) stole the show as he wowed the masses with his radical culos, followed by a charming wave and a beaming smile. Always the showman, Frans was a pleasure to watch, and he thoroughly deserved his second place here this year, and his second equal overall.

Marcillo Browne (Fanatic/North Sails/MFC) also stood out, flying in to every move at full speed, and getting some serious height on his rotations. Ian Mouro Lemos (JP/NeilPryde) looked like he was training hard for the expression session, whilst Bjorn Saragoza (Starboard/Hot Sails Maui) really turned heads with his unique and fearless style.

Unfortunately, the wind failed to hold. At 15.30, the final day at Fuerteventura was officially called to a close, and the competitors crowded round to congratulate the two champions. Surrounded by spectators, Gollito and Offringa posed for photographs and signed autographs, as the ovation from the crowd confirmed their hero’s status.

It has been an incredible fortnight here, and the wonderful Sotavento beach has not disappointed. Thanks must go to the efforts put in by the Rene Egli Team, especially Rene himself, as well as all the crew who worked tirelessly to make the event such a success. A special mention must also go to the Fuerteventura Red Cross Team, who were amazing all week. We have been blessed with incredible displays of both slalom and freestyle, and the aura that surrounds this incredible event will boost as a result.

Unfortunately Fanatic´s Laure Treboux unluckily hurt her hand in the competition. We wish her all the best and hope she´s better soon!

Results Men:
1. Jose Estredo (Fanatic)
2. Tonky Frans
3. Marcillo Browne (Fanatic)
4. Steven Van Broeckhoven

Results Women:
1. Sarah Quita Offringa
2. Daida Ruano Moreno
3. Yoli Freites De Brendt (Fanatic)
4. Nayra Alonso (Fanatic)

Source: PWA, more info:
www.pwaworldtour.com

PWA Grand Slam Fuerteventura, Day 9, 31.07.09:

The heat is on. The temperatures in Fuerteventura reached 45 degrees, and the pressure cooker atmosphere really took hold. Some sailors had to return to their air-conditioned hotel rooms, unable to withstand the climate, as the intense heat-wave suffocated the sailors all day. Good news for the event leaders Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic/North Sails/MFC) and Sarah Quita Offringa (Starboard/NeilPryde), who are beginning to look untouchable at the top.

With one double elimination complete, the sailors who are in the podium positions are looking happy. After great early performances, Estredo, Tonky Frans (F2/Gaastra) and Marcillo Browne (Fanatic/North Sails/MFC) lead the men, while Offringa, Daida Ruano Moreno (North Sails) and Yoli Freites De Brendt (Fanatic/North Sails) currently lead the women.

As it stands, a complete double elimination puts pressure on the competition tomorrow. The way the rules work, only a second complete double elimination will score – and this will require at least eight and a half hours on the water, with no room for error. Unless the wind blows from 0900 tomorrow, the chances of finishing with a different result are slim to none.

PWA took the time to interview our rider Nayra Alonso (Fanatic/Severne):

PWA: How are you feeling after the Canaries Tour?
NA: “I’m super, super happy that is coming to an end (smiling). This is the most difficult contest of the year. I kind of feel a bit sweet and sour about the last few weeks – the freestyle here has gone so much better than I expected, but I was really upset to lose out of a podium place in the waves in Pozo. This year I really focused on wave sailing, so to do so well in the freestyle is a real bonus”
PWA: Do you feel more pressure competing in front of a home crowd?
NA: “No, not really. There is always a lot of pressure in all events, but I don’t think its any worse when I compete in the Canaries. It helps that I have been coming to these places for over six years now!”
PWA: We have seen a dramatic improvement in the women’s fleet this year – is this because you are being pushed so hard by Offringa in freestyle and the Moreno’s in waves?
NA: “Having someone so good to look at definitely helps, but I would say that it is more a natural drive to improve that has helped the most. I have always wanted to make sure that I do the best, and it doesn’t really matter who is standing out. I think you always have to want to be the best that you can be, and this is the real reason we have all improved.”
PWA: Do you think any one will be able to match Offringa in the near future? What do you think makes her so special?
NA: “No. No way. She is amazingly talented, and is so far ahead of anyone else in freestyle I don’t think anyone will beat her for a long time. Every now and then, someone special comes along. Ricardo (Campello) did it about five years ago, and now it is Sarah’s turn. I think she is really special and am super happy for her.”
PWA: Do you have any exciting plans for the coming winter? Waves/Freestyle/Travel?
NA: “I can’t wait to get back to Maui in October for six weeks. It will give me a chance to relax and go wave sailing in starboard tack. I would really like to go back to Western Australia also. I had such a good time there last winter with Laure Treboux, Ben Severne, Scotty McKercher, and I hope my boyfriend Skyeboy will be able to come this time too!”

PWA Grand Slam Fuerteventura, Day 8, 30.07.09:

The calm before the storm? A day of no wind gives the World Champions some breathing space.
2007 Freestyle World Champion, Marcillo Browne (Fanatic/North Sails/MFC), took some time out to talk about his performance so far, and his hopes for the rest of the year:

PWA: How do you feel things have gone for you in Freestyle this year?“Not so good unfortunately, I think I have had one of my worst years on tour (PWA: Note he is currently in fourth overall!). I have been a bit disappointed with my results: in the single elimination I have been sailing brilliantly, either winning or coming second, but in the double I don’t know if I’m nervous or just get unlucky some times. I have trained really hard this year, and I know I can do all the moves, but for sure the competition has improved, so maybe that adds pressure.”

PWA: The new judging criteria are very strict – do you stick to a routine, and how do you cope if you fall on your early tricks?
“Yeah, I try to stick to a routine, but to get through the final heats, I always try to get two big moves at the beginning. This can sometimes work two ways – if they go well, you will usually win, but if you fall it means you can only make one more mistake. There are also times when you can’t stick to a routine if there is a wave where you want to do a trick. I had that against Tonky, and I ended up being forced into the lighter down wind area, which cost me the heat.”

PWA: There are rumors of a new video coming out soon that stars yourself and your team riders, can you tell us any more about that?
"I’ve been working with Andre Paskowski, and he is doing an incredible job making his new film Four Dimensions. It uses loads of new camera angles and editing techniques, and everyone so far has been super supportive. I can’t say too much about it, but there will be more news after this event. I can tell you that we (Browne, Estredo, Fernandez and Paskowski) have filmed in Cape Verde, Maui, Egypt, Pozo, Fuerte and we are going to Brazil next week, so watch this space…”

PWA: You had a very good result in Cabo Verde earlier in the year – does this mean that you may shift your focus more towards waves in the future?
“I have always said that waves are my favorite discipline. Cabo Verde is one of the best places I have ever sailed, and I was super happy to do well there. I think it is very hard to do well in two disciplines, so at the moment I have to concentrate on both, whilst the best guys just focus on one. I hope in the future to really push my wave sailing, but for now I will continue to focus on doing my best in each one”

PWA: Your brother is beginning to do well in slalom – is there any chance that you will take that up as well?
“No Way! (Laughs) I had a couple of sails on his gear, and after one run my shins were hurting so bad, I had to sail back to the beach!”

PWA Grand Slam Fuerteventura, Day 7, 29.07.09:

Light winds play havoc with the double elimination, Gollito finished 1st again & Marcilio 3rd! Also the girls did really well with Yoli 3rd and Nayra 4th!!!

A relaxing day on the beach for most, as the double elimination continued throughout the morning until light winds forced a delay in the proceedings. The late afternoon saw the return of the wind, and with it, the return of the super stars. Great performances by the World Champions finished the day off, as Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic/North Sails) and Sara Quita Offringa (Starboard/NeilPryde) confirmed their victories with two outstanding performances.

At first glance, the morning looked much like the familiar scene that we have become accustomed to this week. 35 knots, and perfectly flat water pushed up to the end of the full grand stand, and competition was soon underway.

Nayra Alonso (Fanatic/Severne) was sailing brilliantly, with slick grubbys and spock 540s adding to her great heats. Alonso beat Olga Raskina (JP/NeilPryde/MFC) in a tight heat, and then stood to face Nagoshi. In her best heat of the event so far, Alonso sailed excellently, and went on to pass Nagoshi and Iballa Ruano Moreno (North Sails) in a great run into the top four.

However, Alonso’s great efforts were ended when she came to face the outstanding Yoli Freites De Brendt (Fanatic/North Sails), who sailed incredibly to retain her third place position, before the wind shut off for the afternoon.

When the see breeze returned, it was Daida Ruano Moreno’s (North Sails) turn to impress, as she turned all of her skills against De Brendt, winning the tight heat. Moreno was firing today, landing flakas, punetas and ponches, and looking like a serious threat for Offringa.

The men’s fleet took to the water, with eight epic heats that really demonstrated the top end skill of the freestyle discipline.

Key sailors in this round came in the form of Norman Günzlein (JP/NeilPryde), Andre Paskowski (Fanatic/North Sails), Davy Scheffers (Tabou/Gaastra) and Quincy Offringa (Starboard/Severne), who busted out high moves in the crystal clear shallows. Günzlein and Paskowski were amazing with the speed at which they entered their moves, which made the tricks they performed look that much more radical. It also made their wipeouts that much more spectacular, as we saw with Günzlein today. At one point, he exploded in a shaka and was left swimming out to sea to collect his gear after a massive crash, forcing him out of the contest area, and ultimately costing him the heat.

Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2/MauiSails) looked to be the most likely contender to make it all the way through this punishing round. Going head to head with Philip Soltysiak (Starboard/Dakine), Andre Paskowski (Fanatic/North), Taty Frans (Starboard/MauiSails), and Kiri Thode (Starboard/Gaastra) in four unbelievable heats, Van Broeckhoven never looked like he was going to be beaten. The young European Freestyle sensation has caught our eye since Lanzarote, and he was brilliant today, dominating all four heats.

However, Van Broeckhoven’s run of success finally came to a halt against Tonky Frans (F2/Gaastra), who made the most of the lighter conditions and turned on his Caribbean style. In faltering winds, Frans was flawless, somehow getting the power and height on his moves to make sure the judges had no room for debate.

Frans was outstanding today - he sailed with passion, and always with a big smile on his face. His cool exterior can sometimes disguise the fact that he is unquestionably one of the best freestyle sailors in the World. After a great day on the water, he takes the coveted PWA Sailor of the Day award.

In the semi final, the sensation from Bonaire left Marcillo Browne (Fanatic/North Sails) in his wake, and left him with a shot against the world number one, Estredo.

The final was spectacular, both Frans and Estredo pulled of double and triple combination moves with speed and style as they went head to head. Frans continued to try his personal favorite, the forward-flaka, twice in the final but was unable to make the flaka rotation, therefore only scoring for a forward. In the end this was to be his downfall, as Estredo did enough to clinch the victory.

It was a close call for Gollito, but the results still stand. He and Offringa continue to dominate as we look ahead to the final three days of competition.

Results:
MEN:
1. Jose Estredo (Fanatic)
2. Tonky Frans
3. Marcillo Browne (Fanatic)
4. Steven Van Broeckhoven

WOMEN:
1. Sarah Quita Offringa
2. Daida Ruano Moreno
3. Yoli Freites De Brendt (Fanatic)
4. Nayra Alonso (Fanatic)

PWA Grand Slam Fuerteventura, Day 6, 28.07.09:

Fanatic´s Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo and Marcilio Browne take the lead in the first single elimination with 1st and 2nd! Marcilio was again using his Lanzarote winning board: our new Skate 90 LTD!

It was an an outstanding final between Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic/North Sails) and Marcilio Browne (Fanatic/North Sails), who went head to head in the first single elimination. Both sailors had been fantastic, passing the excellent Kenneth Danielsen (RRD/Simmer Style/MFC) and Ian Mouro Lemos (JP/NeilPryde), amongst others, on the way to the ultimate heat.

The final was a clear demonstration of intentions: Estredo showing he was the man to beat, and Browne making it clear that he was going to give everything. Having enjoyed success for so long, Gollito sailed with confidence, which somehow made his sailing seem leagues ahead of his competitors. He nailed an incredible combination of a shaka, and air flaka and his trademark one-handed ponch, whilst Browne tried to push too hard, and fell on his opening moves. He soon recovered to nail an impressive air chacho, and one handed air funnel. In the end, Estredo proved too much, and took his first win at this Fuerteventura contest.

Tonky Frans (F2/Gaastra) stole the show in the semi final, with his massive moves getting the crowd to their feet. Frans was the first sailor to land a pushloop off the tiny waves, as well as his amazing new move – the forward-flaka. Against Frans, the number two in the World, Kiri Thode (Starboard/Gaastra) at times looked amazing, but he never rose to the heights that we saw in Lanzarote. His heat was crowned with a super smooth switch-spock 900. After a great performance by both sailors, Frans took the edge, and finished the single elimination in third place.

The highlights through the earlier stages came in the form of Andre Paskowski (Fanatic/North Sails), Norman Günzlein (JP/NeilPryde), Leo Ray (Naish/Naish) and Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2/MauiSails) who were all excellent in the single. Paskowski in particular had a very tight battle with Yegor Popretinskiy (JP/NeilPryde/MFC), whose aggressive sailing style has made him stand out in the pre-event warm up sessions.Eventually Paskowski’s consistency and powerful style was enough to let him clinch the win.

Quincy Offringa (Starboard/Severne) also looked very strong, smashing out powerful ponches just inches from the beach, whilst the new face Jakub Kosmowski (RRD/Simmer Style/Dakine) had a brilliant run until he came to face Estredo. The young Polish talent was very impressive today, passing Levi Lenz (Dakine) early on, and sailing brilliantly against the World Champion, unlucky not to have the variation to beat Estredo.

The early rounds of the double elimination were also completed, where a great performance by Björn Saragoza (Starboard/Hot Sails Maui) boosted him through the rounds until he came against Offringa. Phillip Soltysiak (Starboard/Dakine) Sailed well this morning, but was unlucky to come against Thode in an early heat of the single elimination. He put in a good performance in the double, and will be looking to climb even further up the rankings tomorrow.

Taty Frans (Starboard/MauiSails), Andraz Zan (RRD/Loft Sails) and Davy Scheffers (Tabou/Gaastra) were the standout performers in the double elimination so far, and after a poor start to the day, they will be thrilled to have sailed excellently and into the top eight. The young Scheffers was particularly impressive, and has such has been given with the coveted PWA Sailor of the day award.

The women’s single elimination was a fantastic exhibition of skill. The final was between the two heavyweights of the discipline, and once again, the victory went to the incredible Sara Quita Offringa (Starboard/NeilPryde) who was simply exceptional. Offringa nailed a perfect air funnel and a switch spock 540 in her final heat, this on top of her already incredible repertoire.

Second place went to Daida Ruano Moreno (North Sails) who received a huge cheer for her perfect one-handed ponch. Moreno sailed with her usual powerful style that helped her to pass the excellent Nayra Alonso (Fanatic/Severne) and her talented twin, Iballa Moreno (North Sails), on her road to the final.

Yoli Freites De Brendt (Fanatic/North Sails) was on great form, opening each of her heats with full-speed flakas and punetas. De Brendt passed the super-talented Junko Nagoshi (Tabou/Simmer Style/Dakine) after a great heat, and then progressed to beat Iballa Ruano Moreno in the loser’s final. Yoli will have to maintain today’s outstanding performance level if she is to withstand challenges from her competition tomorrow, but she can leave the beach on a high after a great day on the water.

Laure Treboux (Fanatic/North Sails) will look forward to another chance to improve her standings, after a close heat with Iballa Moreno left her out of the contest earlier than she would have liked. Treboux is incredibly talented, and will be amongst the favorites to climb the double ladder in tomorrow’s competition.

Heike Reimann (Hot Sails Maui) competed with passion this morning, landing clean spocks and spock 540s, as well as combining some old school moves to her heats to add variation. This gave her the edge over Olga Raskina (JP/NeilPryde/MFC) who nailed a planing grubby in their opening battle.

The conditions continue to provide an epic show ground for the world’s best, allowing them to compete boldly in front of their adoring spectators.