PWA POZO WORLD CUP DAY 4 : KOSTER CONQUERS THE SINGLE & STORM CONDITIONS
Yesterday in Pozo was windy, with reports of gusts up to 60 knots. This didn’t deter the world’s most radical sailors from launching into huge moves as they delivered a truly breathtaking display. In the morning Philip Köster (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins) was able to win the single elimination ahead of Victor Fernandez (Fanatic / North) after a monumental battle between the two riders.
Continue reading for for the full report.
Men’s Single Elimination
First the winners final, where the top two riders from Pozo last year prevailed. Philip Köster opened the heat with an absolutely monstrous stalled forward to set the tone. Fernandez replied with a wave 360, before searching out a ramp to land his own massive forward loop. The insanely high calibre of sailing continued and pushed both riders to the max the entire heat. Fernandez was sailing incredibly well as he landed one handed goiters, double forwards and an amazing backside 360. However Köster was going off and he soon delivered his trademark ankle dry double forwards before nailed a huge wave 360s and massive backloops. The judges score cards were tallied and Köster emerged champion, we will now wait and see if he can defend his title in the double elimination.
Philip Köster “I was fully powered up on my 3.7 and the conditions were crazy. I crashed a double forward and a pushloop forward but I’d landed some big jumps by that point. I feel really happy, it was a great final against Victor. Now I will wait for the double elimination and see what happens.”
The losers’ final was also a sight to behold as Dany Bruch (Starboard / Severne / AL360) and Dario Ojeda (Tabou / Gaastra / MFC) fought for third place. Local sailor Ojeda Delivered some sweet stalled forwards and scored some nice wave rides. Bruch delivered an outstanding performance as well but on this occasion his silky smooth wave riding and perfect backloops weren’t enough to beat Ojeda, who claimed his place on the podium.
Men’s Double Elimination
The epic conditions continued, allowing the completion of the first three rounds of the double elimination. Leon Jamaer (Fanatic / Hot Sails Maui), Alessio Stillrich (Fanatic / North / AL360) both advanced from the first round. Ben Proffitt (Simmer) battled his way back through double elimination advancing to the third round where he met Kauli Seadi (JP / NeilPryde). Kauli was in his game, landing nearly every move he attempted, securing his place in the fourth round over Proffitt.
The standout sailor of the double elimiation thus far though has to go to Alex Mussolini (Tabou / Gaastra). He defeated defeated Jamie Hancock (Tabou / Gaastra), and last years vice World Champion Ricardo Campello (JP / NeilPryde / MFC), to secure his place in the next heat. Also advancing were Marcilio Browne (Goya / MFC) beating Kauli Seadi. Klass Voget (Fanatic / Simmer / MFC) out sailed Thomas Traversa (Tabou / Gaastra) and advanced. Robby Swift (JP / NeilPryde / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins) sailed through the pain of a broken toe for three successive heats, to defeat Ross Williams (Tabou / Gaastra).
Women’s Double Elimination
In the women’s double elimination two heats were completed. In the first heat Steffi Wahl (Patrik / Sailloft Hamburg) defeated Fanny Aubet (JP / NeilPryde), whilst Carmen Afonso Martin sailed extremely well to knock out Alice Arutkin (Starboard / North). The next heat saw a bit of a wipe out from Olga Raskina (JP / NeilPryde), who went super end over end in a forward and she landed extremely flat, it appears she has injured her knee. Astrid Muldoon (Fanatic / North) advanced over Raskina. Also in that heat Hester Anderiesen (Fanatic / North) defeated Eva Oude Ophius (Fanatic / North) knocking her out of the contest.
The forecast was epic for today, and we should see the completion of the men’s and women’s double elimination. Check back for more details.