Insane Finals at the AWT Quatro Desert Showdown – Day 4

The 2013 AWT Quatro Desert Showdown in Punta San Carlos will go down as the most epic Pro/Am wave events in history!

Day 4 at the 2013 AWT Quatro Desert Showdown saw more wind and waves with competitors garbing there 4.5’s down to 3.5s. Conditions were epic, riders were stoked, plus long heats and the fair “second chance” bracket system had everyone smiling. Check out the wrap up of the final day of action below!
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Epic Conditions on Day 3 for the AWT Desert Showdown

A south swell silled in to Punta San Carlos bringing consistent logo to mast high waves at the point that rolled into the Chili Bowl. Competition began at 11:30 and ran all the way until 6:30, with 16 minute heats, and all 4 division seeing some exciting action!
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IFCA Proposes to lower Wind limits from 11 knots to 7 knots

The international Funboard Class Association wants to lower the minimum wind requirement for racing from 11 knots to 7 knots, in order to give event organizers certainty more races will be sailed and sailed on schedule.

We want to give our event organizers certainty that more races can be sailed, and sailed on schedule. This will make our sport more attractive to the media; they will send reporters and camera crews to report live about our events.

Increased media attention means that our sport is more attractive to potential sponsors.  Better funding for events will also bring more competitors to our events.
We do not want to search for venues with just enough (7 knots) wind for organizing the IFCA Class Championships. We remain committed to our principles – we are the Funboard planing class with the motto “the more wind the better”.

In addition to the wind mimumum changes IFCA has also proposed to allow competitors to register 3 boards and 6 sails for an event up from 2 boards and 4 sails currently allowed.

The final decisions will be made until October 2013, so that manufacturers can adapt to the new rules and be ready for the 2014 season.

AWT Quatro Desert Showdown – Day 2 It’s On!

At 1:30 Head Judge Keith Teboul made the call to start the Amateur Division with 16 minute heats! With the new competition bracket system in place first round winners would automatically advance to the third round, while second and third place finishers would have to battle it out in round 2 to stay alive.
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The AWT arrives in Baja

Everyone has arrived at Punta San Carlos for the 2013 AWT Quatro Desert Showdown and and an awesome event is expected.  With a good outlook for swell the event has likely already started.

Day 1 showed promise with some decent sets rolling through but with the forecast only looking better head judge Keith Teboul decided to give everyone a day for warming up to the conditions… and everyone took advantage.

The competition brackets have been drawn up using a brand new “second chance” bracket system, giving competitors a chance to lose in their first heat and still come back in a “second chance” round and make it back into the competition. This format really allows for competitors to take more risks early in the competition, as they can still win their way back into the mix if their risky big moves don’t work out. This is what the AWT is all about…pushing the limits of wavesailing! Here is the Pro bracket (with the same format being used for Women, Amateur, Masters and Youth):
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PWA Feurteventura Wrap Up

Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo and Sarah-Quita Offringa reign supreme in Fuerteventura

Six out of seven day of wind ain’t bad! The final and last day of the event was the only day that didn’t build to required conditions, but luckily two full rounds of eliminations were completed in 20 to 30 knot winds. By the end of the PWA Fuerteventura World Cup Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo and Sarah-Quita Offringa were crowned the King and Queen of Sotavento, as they finished the week unbeaten after delivering an outstanding display of sailing.

Overall Results of the PWA Fuerteventura World Cup – Men’s Freestyle

1st Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic / North)

2nd Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra)

3rd Steven Van Broeckhoven (JP / NeilPryde / Different)

4th Tonky Frans (Tabou / Gaastra)

5th Dieter Van Der Eyken (Starboard / Severne)

6th Phil Soltysiak (Starboard / Sailworks)

7th Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins)

7th Youp Schmit (JP / NeilPryde)

7th Amado Vrieswijk (Starboard / Severne)

10th Anthony Ruenes (Tabou / Gaastra)

Overall Results of the PWA Fuerteventura World Cup – Women’s Freestyle

1st Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic / Chris Benz / Maui Ultra Fins)

2nd Arrianne Aukes (RRD / Simmer / Maui Ultra Fins)

3rd Yoli de Brendt (Fanatic / North)

4th Olya Raskina (JP / NeilPryde)

5th Maxime Van Gent (Fanatic / North / Maui Ultra Fins)

5th Oda Johanne Brodholt (Maui Ultra Fins)

Check out the full PWA wrap up from Fuerteventura over entire week of competition here.

Swift is Screwed

The latest on Robby Swift’s injury.

After his injury in Pozo Robby Swift is back recovering in the UK after undergoing surgery and screws to hold it all together.  The big question is when he will return and will he be competing today?  It’s still uncertain, but with 5 hours plus of rehab a day he is working hard, here is what he had to say, “Denmark will be tight, but he said it’s not impossible so that’s what I have my sights set on!”

The Denmark event he is talking about is none other then Klitmoller  World Cup which takes place in mid September.  We wish Swifty a speedy recovery.

2013 PWA Freestyle World Cup Fuerteventura – Day 6

More epic freestyle on the second last day in Fuerteventura

Trade winds continued to blow for the second last day of the PWA Fuertevenura World Cup, and and second round of double eliminations was completed for both the men and women once again. After a spectacular five and a half hours of non-stop freestyle it was Sarah-Quita Offringa who came out on top with Arrianna Aukes once again in second. The men’s final saw a close battle between Kiri Thode and Gollito Estredo both landing spectacular moves including paskos, but just before time ran out Gollito landed a spock into culo followed by a no-handed burner and an ankle dry back loop.

Results After The Second Double Elimination – Men’s Freestyle

1st Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic / North)

2nd Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra)

3rd Steven Van Broeckhoven (JP / NeilPryde / Different)

4th Tonky Frans (Tabou / Gaastra)

5th Dieter Van Der Eyken (Starboard / Severne)

Results After The Second Double Elimination – Women’s Freestyle

1st Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic / Chris Benz / Maui Ultra Fins)

2nd Arrianne Aukes (RRD / Simmer / AL360 / Maui Ultra Fins)

3rd Yoli de Brendt (Fanatic / North)

4th Olya Raskina (JP / NeilPryde)

2013 PWA Freestyle World Cup Fuerteventura – Day 5

Another day of epic freestyle in Fuerteventura as Gollito and Offringa defend their positions.

The fifth day of the 2012 PWA Fuerteventura World Cup saw winds arrive right from the start of the day allowing a second round of single eliminations to begin. Winds between 25 – 30 knots allowed action of the highest caliber. By the end of the day and 5 hours of competition Gollito Estredo defeated Kiri Thode in the men’s final to once again come out on top. On the women’s side Sarah-Quita Offringa and Arrianne Aukes once again met, and the result was the same with Offrigna coming out on top.

Results After Second Single Elimination – Men’s Freestyle

1st Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic / North)

2nd Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra)

3rd Steven Van Broeckhoven (JP / NeilPryde / Different)

4th Tonky Frans (Tabou / Gaastra)

5th Dieter Van Der Eyken (Starboard / Severne)

Results After Second Single Elimination – Women’s Freestyle

1st Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic / Chris Benz / Maui Ultra Fins)

2nd Arrianne Aukes (RRD / Simmer / AL360 / Maui Ultra Fins)

3rd Yoli de Brendt (Fanatic / North)

4th Olya Raskina (JP / NeilPryde)

Check out the full report on Day 5 on PWAWorldTour.com

2013 PWA Freestyle World Cup Fuerteventura – Day 4

Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo and Sarah-Quita Offringa successfully defend their single elimination crowns

From the start of day 4 conditions looked great, and both the men’s and women’sdouble eliminations were completed. With Gollito Estredo and Sarah-Quinta Offringa defending there positions from the single elimination.

ON the mens side Kiri Thode moved up to second place, after battling back though the double elimination only to lose to the formidable Gollito (unbeaten since the start of the 2012 season”) in the final.

The women’s final saw another match between SaraQuinta Offringa and Arrianne Aukes. Both offered a high level of performance, but Offringa defended her position landing an excellent shaka and puneta.

Results After Double Elimination – Men’s Freestyle

1st Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic / North)

2nd Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra)

3rd Tonky Frans (Tabou / Gaastra)

4th Steven Van Broeckhoven (JP / NeilPryde / Different)

5th Dieter Van Der Eyken (Starboard / Severne)

Results After Double Elimination – Women’s Freestyle

1st Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic / Chris Benz / Maui Ultra Fins)

2nd Arrianne Aukes (RRD / Simmer / AL360 / Maui Ultra Fins)

3rd Yoli de Brendt (Fanatic / North)

4th Olya Raskina (JP / NeilPryde)

Check out a full report on Day 4 on PWAWorldTour.com

Kai Lenny Launches a New Website

The Hawaiian waterman Kai Lenny has launched a new website. After a year of working on the content and images for the website it is ready. Bringing you even closer to my world and for me to share my passion about water sports and the ocean with you.

PositivelyKai.com

2013 PWA Freestyle World Cup Fuerteventura – Day 3

The wind fills in late and the men’s double elimination beigns.

The third day of the PWA Fuerteventura World Cup began with light winds.  Around 4pm the wind filled in allowing for the men’s double elimination to being.  Check out all the details from day 3 on the PWA Website.

2013 PWA Freestyle World Cup Fuerteventura – day 1

Gollito Estredo and Sarah-Quinta Offringa win the single eliminations.

The opening day of the Freestyle World Cup in Fuerteventura delivered. Both he men’s and Women’s single eliminations were completed as winds were between 20-30 knots. Gollito Estredo proved his injury from previous days didn’t effect his sailing as the 5 time World Champion edged out Tonky Frans in the single elimination Final. On the Women’s side Sarah-Quita Offringa dominated to claim her place at the top of the podium

Results After Single Elimination – Men’s Freestyle

1st Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic / North)

2nd Tonky Frans (Tabou / Gaastra)

3rd Steven Van Broeckhoven (JP / NeilPryde / Different)

4th Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra)

5th Adrien Bosson (Fanatic / North / Maui Ultra Fins)

5th Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins)

5th Dieter Van Der Eyken (Starboard / Severne)

5th Youp Schmit (JP / NeilPryde)

 

Results After Single Elimination – Women’s Freestyle 

1st Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic / Chris Benz / Maui Ultra Fins)

2nd Arrianne Aukes (RRD / Simmer / AL360 / Maui Ultra Fins)

3rd Yoli de Brendt (Fanatic / North)

4th Maxime Van Gent (Fanatic / North / Maui Ultra Fins)

PWA Fuerteventura Preview

An intense week of explosive freestyle action is set to begin!This year marks the 28th anniversary of World Cup events held on the golden beaches of Sotavento, Fuerteventura. From the 20th to 26th of July the men’s freestyle fleet will compete in their second event of the season while the women make their first appearance of the 2013 PWA Freestyle World Tour. It should be a great week of the best freestyle on the planet!

The seven day freestyle event will see the most radical freestylers in the world battling not only for a spot on the podium but those important World Tour Points.

All of the big names are already tweaking out awesome action, stay tuned for more, we’ll be gone over the weekend, but catch up on all the action on Monday.

Freestyle Freenzy Goes of in the Gorge

After a 5 year hiatus the Freestyle Frenzy came back with a bang!

47 competitors represented 6 countries. Riders came from the US, Canada, Mexico, South Korea, Australia and England. With a less then ideal forecast for the 5 day competition window, Head Judge, Casey Hauser, decided to call a 6:30am skippers meeting on the first day of competition and it paid off. Winds built throughout the morning and winds peaked at midday averaging over 30mph! With consistent high winds, the swell started building. Creating the classic Gorge conditions the Freestyle Frenzy was designed to highlight.
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