PWA FUERTEVENTURA – Action on Days 1 – 4
Day 5 is currently on stand by as Slalom competitors play wait for the wind. Well wrap up the action to this point which so far has only seen two days of sailing.
Day 1
The opening day of the competition unfortunately saw no action on the water but there was plenty going on off the water, with live music and interviews being held throughout the day. The wind dropped just before the racing could begin which then led to the sailors being held on standby until 6pm, because late in the afternoon the wind showed signs that it was going to pickup. However it never fully materialized despite a couple of sailors being tempted out to test the conditions. We will now have to wait until tomorrow to see the adrenaline fueled racing begin.
Day 2
The forecast for today never materialized as the scorching weather continued in Fuerteventura. There was still plenty on offer around the event site though, with live entertainment, interviews and even a stand up paddleboard (SUP) race taking place.
DAY 3 : VAN DER STEEN STORMS TO THE OPENING VICTORY IN FUERTEVENTURA
The third day of the PWA Fuerteventura Grand Slam finally saw the slalom sailors hit the water after two long days waiting anxiously on the beach. The wind arrived at 11am before soon disappearing again after the completion of eleven heats. The competitors continued to be teased by the wind for the duration of the afternoon, but in the end their patience duly paid off as the first elimination of the men’s slalom was concluded. Ben Van Der Steen (Starboard / Loft / Mystic / Different) stole the show in front of a packed beach, with a brilliant performance as he claimed the opening victory of the competition.
DAY 4 : MAYNARD DOMINATES AFTER A SCINTILLATING PERFORMANCE
The fourth day of the PWA Fuerteventura Grand Slam finally delivered the kind of conditions that everyone has been waiting for, as the slalom sailors reached for their smallest boards and sails from 6.2m to 7.8m. The wind blew all day which enabled three full eliminations to be completed. As the day came to a close it was Finian Maynard (RRD / Avanti) that dominated as he finished the day with two bullets and a third place, after a simply magnificent performance. Maynard was clearly delighted by his days work and no one can blame him after what has been a largely frustrating season thus far, due to injuries and kit breakages, all of which will make today’s victory all the sweeter.
Results after Day 4
- 1st Finian Maynard (RRD / Avanti)
- 2nd Ben Van Der Steen (Starboard / Loft / Mystic / Different)
- 3rd Antoine Albeau (RRD / NeilPryde)
- 4th Bjorn Dunkerbeck (Starboard / Severne / Mystic / Dunkerbeck Eyewear / Chris Benz)
- 5th Cyril Moussilmani (Starboard / Severne / Mystic)
For a live feed, and to keep up to date with every piece of the action, head to www.pwaworldtour.com.
There is also a dedicated website at www.fuerteventura-worldcup.org