The 2008 Cabo Verde PWA World Cup

Wenn ich nicht behaupten würde ich sei gespannt wie ein Flitzebogen, ich würde lügen...

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The 2008 Cabo Verde PWA World Cup Windsurfing
(Ponta Preta. Cabo Verde. March 7th - 16th 2008.

?30,000 Prize Purse.

Top-32 Men-Only.

Media Images available free of charge check www.pwaworldtour.com for 2007 Cabo Verde event archive gallery).

Will Lightning Strike Twice In Cabo Verde?

Around the windsurfing world, the question on everyone?s lips is, ?Can the island of Sal can possibly repeat the epic conditions of 2007?s historic PWA wavesailing event??

And anyone who dares ask out aloud simply trembles at the mouth-watering prospect of Ponta Preta serving-up anything on the scale of what we witnessed last year.

As curtain raiser to the 2008 season, this tiny archipelago takes centre stage in the windsurfing community, as the entire planets wavesailing focus zooms in.

The groundbreaking 2007 event was won by Cabo Verde?s very own hero, Josh Angulo (MauiSails), who narrowly defeated the current world Champion, Kauli Seadi (JP / NeilPryde) of Brazil, after an all-time final, in barreling, yes barreling, mast-and-a-half high waves.

And let?s not forget that, before that jaw-dropping showdown, American Kevin Pritchard (Starboard / Gaastra) shrugged-off one of the most gritty double elimination comebacks ever by Australia?s Jason Polakow (JP / NeilPryde) to take bronze at a milestone event for the sport.

During the build-up to this contest the conditions have already shown promise, with many select riders, such as the 2007 season runner-up Victor Fernandez (Fanatic / Simmer), already pinching themselves that Ponta Preta?s throwing up powerful clean surf like clockwork once again.

With ?30,000 at stake and vital tour-rankings points on offer, this World Cup?s just destined to be insane.

You can follow every stroke of action at www.pwaworldtour.com <http://www.pwaworldtour.com/> to:

? Use our live ticker service
? Check elimination ladders
? View results
? Watch amazing video action clips
? Read the daily news summaries
? Browse awesome action photo galleries

Or, for more information, please contact the PWA office via info@pwaworldtour.com

Š PWA / Brian McDowell

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Hat mich gerade erreicht:

Zitat von PWA

The 2008 Cabo Verde PWA World Cup ? Registration Day

Today was registration day and the world's top 22 wave sailors have all signed-up for the main event.

The trials contest was also finished in 1-3 foot surf at 'Little Ho'okipa'.

The final 10 riders advancing from that competition are:

Kai Katchadourian (Quatro / Simmer)
Francisco Porcella (Mistral / Simmer)
Jean Baptiste Caste
Yann Sorlut (Simmer)
Jules Denel (Naish / Naish)
Mitu Monteiro
Diony Guadagnino (Mistral)
Francisco Fonseca (RRD / Simmer)
Dany Bruch (F2 / Gaastra)
Camille Juban (Quatro / GUN)

Once more Josh Angulo (MauiSails) sat on the rocks and saw all the key moments.

?We had an exciting day with a solid 3-foot to logo-high swell with sets sometimes even bigger firing down the reef and unwrapping really fast ? so super good wave conditions for the guys basically.

The head judge ran 20-min heats to finish the 3rd round. Jules Denel and Francisco Fonseca advanced with solid performances.

The tightest heat was between hot local rider Mitu Monteiro, and Camille Juban.

They were neck and neck in the 2-wave sets and were just picking them off real well, and Mitu only just squeaked through by the narrowest margin.

Yann Sorlut had another great heat against Jake Miller (Quatro) from Maui ? that was a real standout battle actually.

Then they switched to a 4-man heat setup with a longer 30-minute duration to make the most of the conditions.

Djo Silva took on Dany Bruch and you could just see Dany?s winter of training in heavy waves and light winds on Tenerife paying off as he worked it hard.

Camille Juban also shone brightly in that heat with a near mast-high wave where he just went for it - he?s so impressive.

Ponta Preta?s beginning to fire now so I?m getting amped about the big show starting tomorrow with these worthy qualifiers and all the top seeds frothing to get things moving in some nice surf.?

Thanks again to Josh for his summary.

Skippers' meeting is at 08.00 tomorrow.

You can follow every stroke of action at www.pwaworldtour.com to:

? Use our live ticker service
? Check elimination ladders
? View results
? Watch amazing video action clips
? Read the daily news summaries
? Browse awesome action photo galleries

Or, for more information, please contact the PWA office via info@pwaworldtour.com


Š PWA / Brian McDowell

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Ein Zwischenstand:

Zitat von PWA

The 2008 Cabo Verde PWA World Cup Day 1

Ponta Preta turns it on and the top four of the single elimination are decided. Jason Polakow, Josh Angulo, Kauli Seadi and Robby Swift all make tomorrow?s single elimination final.

Sal?s legendary pointbreak delivered good-sized swell with sets breaking up to mast high fanned by a light offshore breeze.

With a limited 32-man format there were no easy heats, and nearly all today?s heats were really tight with some particularly positive performances from the trials event qualifiers.

Dany Bruch (F2 / Gaastra) sailed out of his skin to advance from his first round heat to earn a top-16 place against Vidar Jensen (North), Robby Swift (JP / NeilPryde) and reigning world champ Kauli Seadi (JP / NeilPryde).

But the best un-seeded display came from Francisco Porcella (Mistral / Simmer) who used his expert surfing knowledge to advance to the last 8.

The only Italian in the line-up was visibly glowing over his day?s work. ?I came all the way from Maui to ride this wave, and I?m so stoked to have made it this far.

My approach was to stay deep, but make that first heavy section with as powerful an aerial as I could.

That?s a fine balance to keep, as you?ll pay if you get caught inside. Basically I relied on my wave reading experience to get air and make as many turns as possible?

It was business as usual for local legend and 2007 Cabo Verde winner Josh Angulo (MauiSails).

This country?s national hero launched his trademark aerials and carved a variety of turns to cruise into the four-man final.

Jason Polakow (JP / NeilPryde) survived a couple of trips to the rocks to ensure he built on last season?s strong showing here with his stylish turns in the most critical sections of Ponta Preta?s pitching lips.

Robby Swift was one of the standout sailors of the day with some heavy hitting hacks under the curl, which pleased the judges and sent giant arcs of spray above the set waves he systematically destroyed.

This was always going to be a crucial event for Swift who?s struggled with injury in recent seasons, and was determined to get back into the top flight of the wave rankings.

As predicted, 2007 world champion Kauli Seadi made no mistakes and confidently showed-off the full range of turns, slides, and airs which make him a major threat for his rivals.

Tomorrow?s forecast is positive for more swell and wind and skippers?? meeting has been set for 08.00 to make the most of the primetime tide conditions.

It?s also likely that the double elimination will be started too to maximize the conditions available.

You can follow every stroke of action at www.pwaworldtour.com to:

? Use our live ticker service
? Check elimination ladders
? View results
? Watch amazing video action clips
? Read the daily news summaries
? Browse awesome action photo galleries

Or, for more information, please contact the PWA office via info@no-spam-pleasepwaworldtour.com


Š PWA / Brian McDowell

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Weiter gehts:

Zitat von PWA

The 2008 Cabo Verde PWA World Cup Day 2

Kauli Seadi makes a perfect start to the season with a crucial single elimination victory over Cabo Verdian favorite Josh Angulo, Jason Polakow and Robby Swift

25-yr old Brazilian Kauli Seadi (JP / NeilPryde) thundered into the event lead with a skilled display in tricky, light wind conditions, to give an instant return on his new sponsor?s investment.

Day 2 started with smaller surf and light breeze meeting the early high tide. The head judge chose to run the early heats of the double elimination first to give the finalists the best conditions later in the morning.

Eventually he opted for a 40-minute heat duration for that final, counting the best two wave rides from each of the final four.

The fluky wind truly tested the finalists? fitness and ability to catch waves and not get caught inside on the razor sharp reef.

Jason Polakow (JP / NeilPryde) went for it with his aggressive vertical attack, but paid the price for pushing it with a couple of trips to the rocks.

Polakow?s big-wave partner Robby Swift (JP / NeilPryde) pressured his teammate hard for third position with a smoother style, but in truth he also struggled in the smaller swell.

Josh Angulo (MauiSails) was always going to be a major threat here after his historic victory last season.

?It was a total battle out there? explained Angulo. ?I tried to go for a really powerful and vertical attack and look for the shorter rides and big hits on the main peak where I was hanging out.

Everyone was scratching around to catch the good sets and outdo the other to lock into a decent wave.

I know it was close and I didn?t even look at the scores. It?s tough you know. You always strive for first, and it kind of tastes a little strange to come second, especially after last year, but its not over yet and there?s more swell coming later in the week so we?ll see what happens.?

Seadi chose different tactics to Angulo to wrap-up the victory, including one spectacular aerial over Swift who was swimming in the impact zone.

?I tried to go for the ones that opened-up into longer bowlier sections and do a mix of turns and connect the ride all the way down the reef?, said the 2007 World Champion.

?It was so tricky to catch the waves out there, and I?m happy to start the season this way and take the lead.

I hear there?s some more surf coming but I?m not sure what the wind will do so we?ll be waiting and watching the next few days to see how it pans out.?

After the final some early heats of the double elimination were run and there were a few big names spewed out by up-and-coming talent.

Levi Siver (Quatro / NeilPryde) was the first victim of an on-form Jonas Ceballos (Fanatic / Simmer), and Marcilio Browne (Mistral / Gaastra), who fully made-up for a stuttering start in the single elimination.

Next to fall was Nik Baker (Mistral / North) who had a tough time in the fading conditions against light wind specialists Thomas Traversa (Tabou / Gaastra) and Camille Juban (Quatro / GUN).

Boujmaa Guilloul (Starboard / Severne) was also ejected in that heat despite throwing some outrageous Goytas right onto the rocks.

But Traversa scored wave of the day with perfect timing and a flowing rhythmic groove connecting all his turns together.

By mid afternoon the waves were too small and breaking dangerously close to the rocks, and the head judge decided it was too unsafe to continue.

After staying on hold until the end of the day, competition was called off and skippers? meeting was set for 10.00 tomorrow.

The forecast is not that great until later in the week, but it?s likely the crew will scout around the island for some alternative spots in the morning.

You can follow every stroke of action at www.pwaworldtour.com to:

? Use our live ticker service
? Check elimination ladders
? View results
? Watch amazing video action clips
? Read the daily news summaries
? Browse awesome action photo galleries

Or, for more information, please contact the PWA office via info@pwaworldtour.com

Š PWA / Brian McDowell

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Weiter gehts:

Zitat von PWA

The 2008 Cabo Verde PWA World Cup Day 3

The final 8 players are carved-out as the double elimination goes critical

No waves at Ponta Preta meant the contest went mobile, shifting over to a remote spot called ?Little Ho?okipa?, where a decent wind swell was breaking over a shallow reef.

25-minute heat duration was set with the best 2 waves counting and the best 2 riders advancing at a time.

The action was hot once again and competition was tight for spots in every following heat.

Trialist Kai Katchadourian (Quatro / Simmer), a regular Cabo Verde visitor, showed his knowledge of the islands breaks today.

The American survived a tough encounter against Scott McKercher (Starboard / Severne), John Skye (F2 / Naish) and Ross Williams (Tabou / Gaastra) before getting on a roll to reach the top 8.

This limited 32-man event had a cutthroat qualifying contest and some of those entrants have shown great hunger to advance far in this competition.

Amongst them, Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Caste showed great skill to secure his top 16 finish after climbing the ladder impressively so far.

Things got serious in the third round when more top names fell by the wayside.

2007 season runner-up Victor Fernandez (Fanatic / Simmer) and former world champion Kevin Pritchard (Starboard / Gaastra) were axed by fiery performances from Thomas Traversa (Tabou / Gaastra), and Marcilio Browne (Mistral / Gaastra) ? the reigning freestyle world champ.

Traversa shone brightly with his radical vertical riding style, which that saw him launch tweaked airs and show aggressive gouging of the steep head-to-half mast-high wave faces.

And Browne pulled a perfect air taka and looks set to fulfill another prophecy to reach the top of the wave sailing rankings.

But the star of the day had to Alex Mussolini (RRD / NeilPryde) who threw some massive high Goytas landed back onto the wave, and clocked a 9.0 for a Goyta and big aerial back-to-back on the same ride.

Fading light and wind meant the final 6 heats must wait until tomorrow before we can produce an event winner.

The forecast is for more wind swell and a larger ground swell towards the weekend, but the outlook for wind to come with it is not so positive.

Skippers? meeting is at 10.00 tomorrow at Ponta Preta but it?s almost a given that we?ll be moving to another spot once again.

You can follow every stroke of action at www.pwaworldtour.com to:

? Use our live ticker service
? Check elimination ladders
? View results
? Watch amazing video action clips
? Read the daily news summaries
? Browse awesome action photo galleries

Or, for more information, please contact the PWA office via info@pwaworldtour.com

Š PWA / Brian McDowell

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Tag 4 ist rum...

Zitat

The 2008 Cabo Verde PWA World Cup Day 4

The PWA Riders enjoy a lay day as the wind and surf go AWOL

Early checks around the island?s breaks bore no fruit, and the organizers kept the final 8 competitors on-hold throughout the day.

Yesterday some classic heats filtered-down 4 riders who?ll duke it out before the man-on-man stage gets going.

Outstanding performances from Kai Katchadourian (Quatro / Simmer), who?s a Cabo Verde regular, young Brazilian talent Marcilio Browne (Mistral /Gaastra), slick stylist Thomas Traversa (Tabou / Gaastra), and standout sailor of the day Alex Mussolini (RRD / NeilPryde), indicate that the competition will be intense.

From that heat the best two will then go head-to-head to see who?ll face Robby Swift (JP / NeilPryde), who came 4th in the single elimination.

Some massive names in the sport await anyone who can advance past Swift, with Jason Polakow (JP / NeilPryde), Josh Angulo (MauiSails), and single elimination winner Kauli Seadi (JP / NeilPryde) ready to fight tooth and nail to protect their positions.

The forecast for tomorrow is marginal, but the chances of a big swell at the end of the week are good.

Skippers? meeting is at 10.00 tomorrow at Ponta Preta, but given the forecast it?s very likely that the event will go mobile once again.

You can follow every stroke of action at www.pwaworldtour.com <http://www.pwaworldtour.com/> to:

? Use our live ticker service
? Check elimination ladders
? View results
? Watch amazing video action clips
? Read the daily news summaries
? Browse awesome action photo galleries

Or, for more information, please contact the PWA office via info@pwaworldtour.com


Š PWA / Brian McDowell

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Tag 5:

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The 2008 Cabo Verde PWA World Cup Day 5

The Heat Is On As The Top 8 Sweat It Out Waiting For Wind And Swell

Early morning inspections around the breaks revealed little swell around the island of Sal today.

Scouts were left in key positions, and several checks made throughout the day, but the forecast for small waves and light wind stayed true.

Instead the competitors enjoyed mixing with the friendly locals in Santa Maria town, and viewing the island’s main attractions whilst enjoying the heady Crioulu rhythms of the Cabo Verdian culture.

The forecast shows positive signs for more wind and surf at the weekend when the final 8 competitors will slug it out for the event title.

A new swell should hit some time tomorrow, so fingers are crossed for a steady trade wind to let the games commence.

As it stands, 2007 World Champion Kauli Seadi (JP / NeilPryde) tops the leader board after winning the single elimination ahead of last season’s Cabo Verde PWA World Cup winner Josh Angulo (MauiSails).

Waiting in the wings are Jason Polakow (JP / NeilPryde) and Robby Swift (JP / NeilPryde), who’ll have to be on top of their game to stamp out any threats from the rest of the final 8 competitors in the frame.

If the wind kicks in Kai Katchadourian (Quatro / Simmer), Marcilio Browne (Mistral / Gaastra), Thomas Traversa (Tabou / Gaastra) and Alex Mussolini (RRD / NeilPryde) will be first into battle during a final 4-man heat before the man-on-man stage gets underway.

Skippers’ meeting is at 09.00 tomorrow after the first round of beach assessments

You can follow every stroke of action from then at www.pwaworldtour.com <http://www.pwaworldtour.com/> and:

• Use our live ticker service
• Check elimination ladders
• View results
• Watch amazing video action clips
• Read the daily news summaries
• Browse awesome action photo galleries

Or, for more information, please contact the PWA office via info@pwaworldtour.com


Š PWA / Brian McDowell

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Der Tag 6 ist um:

Zitat von PWA

The 2008 Cabo Verde PWA World Cup Day 6

Blue Skies And Tropical Breeze Mean Another Great Day In Cabo Verde, But No Surf Keeps Competition On Hold For Now

A straight north swell just couldn?t sneak into any of Sal?s main windsurfing beaches today, so the final 8 competitors have to wait it out once again for fresh waves to arrive.

There are still 3 days left in the holding period, and forecasts indicate the weekend could see just enough wind and surf to complete the double elimination.

Josh Angulo (MauiSails), Cabo Verde?s national hero after victory here back in 2007, sits in second place so far, whilst keeping one eye constantly on the weather maps.

?It?s kind of an unstable weather pattern here right now? said Angulo from his Santa Maria Windsurfing Center today.

?We?ve been on close standby constantly in case things get better.

I?d love a chance to beat Kauli before the weekends out, but really my first priority is to watch my back from who?s behind me.

As soon as that hurdles crossed I can relax and focus on just him.

All the guys left in are dangerous in their own ways, and are all deserving of their status and are all good competition sailors too, so they all have my full respect. Let?s wait and see.?

The final riders left in the double elimination are:

Kauli Seadi (JP / NeilPryde)
Josh Angulo (MauiSails)
Jason Polakow (JP / NeilPryde)
Robby Swift (JP / NeilPryde)
Kai Katchadourian (Quatro / Simmer)
Marcilio Browne (Mistral / Gaastra)
Alex Mussolini (RRD / NeilPryde)
Thomas Traversa (Tabou / Gaastra)

2007 world champion Kauli Seadi was as calm as ever today about his leading position. ?I?m just enjoying myself here on Sal, chilling out and visiting the tourist attractions with my girlfriend and generally having a great time.

I?m not too stressed about the prospect of competing again. Of course everybody below me wants to finish the double and have a chance of winning, but I?m happy either to take the victory as it stands now, or defend myself if the surf gets up again.

It?ll be fun to sail again. All the guys in the frame still are really talented, and they all have good chance, but we just don?t know yet how it?s going to pan-out.?

Skippers? meeting is at 09.00 tomorrow after the usual round of beach assessments.

You can follow every stroke of action from then at www.pwaworldtour.com and:

? Use our live ticker service
? Check elimination ladders
? View results
? Watch amazing video action clips
? Read the daily news summaries
? Browse awesome action photo galleries

Or, for more information, please contact the PWA office via info@pwaworldtour.com


Š PWA / Brian McDowell

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Der Tag 8:

Zitat von PWA

The 2008 Cabo Verde PWA World Cup Day 7

The Clock Starts Ticking and Pressure Rises As Absent Wind and Swell Leave Just Two Days to Complete the Double Elimination on Sal

A fourth straight day without suitable surf in Cabo Verde leaves only the final weekend to complete the competition.

So far we?ve completed the single elimination, which was won by Kauli Seadi (JP / NeilPryde) ? the current world champion and event leader.

Josh Angulo (MauiSails) came second in that final ahead of Jason Polakow (JP / NeilPryde) and Robby Swift (JP / NeilPryde).

The double elimination now has a top 8 which includes those 4 finalists from the single, plus 4 others who?ve clawed their way back up the ladder.

Alex Mussolini (RRD / NeilPryde) is one of the fresh-faced youngsters frothing for the chance of more waves and the opportunity to take on the likes of Swift, Polakow, Angulo and Seadi.

?I?m just cruising and waiting for wind and waves? joked the relaxed and upbeat young Spaniard at Ponta Preta today.

?I?m trying to concentrate on the job, and not forget we?re here for a contest as the island is so beautiful and we?re having such a great time here.

Although we?re waiting around, it could be worse as we could be somewhere freezing cold with grey skies, but luckily we?re hanging out in Cabo Verde. Life?s good!

It?s great to be back near the top again. I know I can hold my own here at this level, and if it happens by the end of the weekend I?m gonna play hard and go for it.?

French rider Thomas Traversa (Tabou / Gaastra) is another entrant who punches well above his weight in the waves.

At just 61 kg, this quiet young talent poses a major threat for the top names, especially if the wind?s fluky and the waves get critical close to the rocks.

?I?m still in it so that?s a good feeling? commented Traversa, who tore ?Little Ho?okipa part earlier in the week.

?My target was to do better than last year so I?ll try to really push it and do my best if we get suitable conditions as I?ve got nothing to lose.?

The pressure?s really on for the top 4 if a clean new swell shows in time. Aged just 18, Marcilio Browne (Mistral / Gaastra) has been billed as a future champion at elite level windsurfing, and has already fulfilled that expectation with a crucial world title victory in freestyle back in 2007.

Now focused on the waves, ?Brawzinho? is dedicated to displacing his compatriot and friend Seadi.

?It?s been a long time since I had a good result in the waves? reflected Browne with maturity above his years.

?The last time I was near the top was in Portugal last year.

I?m happy because I?ve made to the last 8 through some tough heats with people like Levi Siver (Quatro / NeilPryde) and Kevin Pritchard (Starboard / Gaastra) to contend with.

I feel relaxed and I really want the chance to compete before the events over.

I think I?ll try and get a couple of safe waves in the bag and then go for some more radical moves like air takas, ?cos I know Alex and Thomas will be going for Goytas and stuff, especially if it?s small.

My team manager, Nik Baker (Mistral / North) has told me to stay relaxed. He?s got so much experience and knows that pressure is the last thing I need right now, in fact all my sponsors are really cool that way which really helps me to concentrate.?

But there?s also a seasoned hand amongst the young pups. American Kai Katchadourian (Quatro / Simmer) has been visiting this island for years and knows plenty of the breaks like the back of his hand.

?I?ve been hoping to get a chance to make all the time I?ve spent in these awesome islands pay off? enthused Katchadourian.

?This comp?s been great as after last year people had only really heard of Ponta Preta, but this time we?ve been able to show the world some of the other spots else Sal?s got to offer, and I?ve had a ball playing in these waves with all these guys and letting my gear do a lot of the work for me.

This event?s a major deal to this country and I?m just amped to be a part of that and to kick the season off with a top-8 finish.?

Skippers? meeting is at 09.00 tomorrow after the early morning circuit of spot checks.

You can follow every stroke of action from then at www.pwaworldtour.com <http://www.pwaworldtour.com/> and:

? Use our live ticker service
? Check elimination ladders
? View results
? Watch amazing video action clips
? Read the daily news summaries
? Browse awesome action photo galleries

Or, for more information, please contact the PWA office via info@pwaworldtour.com


Š PWA / Brian McDowell

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Und weiter gehts:

Zitat

The 2008 Cabo Verde PWA World Cup Day 9

It?s All Down To The Wire On Sal With Just Last-Chance Sunday Left To Complete The Double Elimination

After 4 agonizing days all hope for completing the double elimination in Cabo Verde rests on the event?s final day.

Earlier in the holding period we enjoyed great surf throughout the single elimination which was won by Brazilian Kauli Seadi (JP / NeilPryde), who?s the current world champion.

In a 4-man final he defeated local favorite and 2007 Cabo Verde winner, Josh Angulo (MauiSails), Jason Polakow (JP / NeilPryde) and Robby Swift (JP / NeilPryde).

So far we?ve just 6 heats left to complete the double elimination if conditions allow.

Waiting on the sidelines are Thomas Traversa (Tabou / Gaastra), Marcilio Browne (Mistral / Gaastra), Alex Mussolini (RRD / NeilPryde), and Kai Katchadourian (Quatro / Simmer), who must all sail in the final 4-man heat before the man-on-man stage and the chance to challenge the top 4 can begin.

Light winds plagued day 8, but there was renewed optimism with the arrival of fresh swell at Ponta Preta.

Skippers? meeting is at 09.00 tomorrow after all likely spots have been scoped-out.

You can follow every stroke of action from then at www.pwaworldtour.com and:

? Use our live ticker service
? Check elimination ladders
? View results
? Watch amazing video action clips
? Read the daily news summaries
? Browse awesome action photo galleries

Or, for more information, please contact the PWA office via info@pwaworldtour.com

Š PWA / Brian McDowell

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Game is over...

Zitat

The 2008 Cabo Verde PWA World Cup Event Summary

Kauli Seadi kicks-off the season with a critical victory over local favorite Josh Angulo and wavesailing legend Jason Polakow

The historic 2007 Cabo Verde event set the bar to an all-time high for PWA wavesailing, so it was a full house once again for the top names in the sport on the island of Sal.

A strong forecast for early in the event stayed true and a good swell with mast-high waves reeled down the racetrack at Ponta Preta on day 1

Single Elimination

The crew made no delay in getting the single elimination underway, and by sunset the judges had filtered-out four riders for a final that would go ahead on day 2.

A trend was also set on the first day for some impressive performances from riders making it through from the qualifying contest.

Dany Bruch (F2 / Gaastra) and Francisco Porcella (Mistral / Simmer) stood out from the trialists on day 1 with superb wave-reading skill and expertise to knock out some top players from this 32-man limited entry event.

The final was completed on day 2 in slightly smaller surf, and much lighter wind.

25-yr old Brazilian Kauli Seadi (JP / NeilPryde) thundered into the lead with a skilled display in tricky, light wind conditions, to give an instant return on his new sponsor?s investment.

During a 40-minute heat, counting the best two waves rides each, the fluky wind truly tested the finalists? fitness and ability to catch waves and not get caught inside on the razor sharp reef.

Jason Polakow (JP / NeilPryde) went for it with his aggressive vertical attack, but paid the price for pushing it with a couple of trips to the rocks.

Polakow?s big-wave partner Robby Swift (JP / NeilPryde) pressured his team mate hard for third position with a smoother style, but in truth he also struggled in the smaller swell.

Josh Angulo (MauiSails) was also always going to be a major threat here after his historic victory last season.

?It was a total battle out there? he explained. ?I tried to go for a really powerful and vertical attack and look for the shorter rides and big hits on the main peak where I was hanging out.

Everyone was scratching around to catch the good sets and outdo the other to lock into a decent wave.

I know it was close and I didn?t even look at the scores. It?s tough you know.

You always strive for first and it kind of tastes a little strange to come second, especially after last year.?

Seadi chose different tactics to Angulo to wrap-up the victory, including one spectacular aerial over Swift who was swimming in the impact zone.

?I tried to go for the ones that opened-up into longer blowier sections and to do a mix of turns and connect the ride all the way down the reef?, said the 2007 World Champion.


Double Elimination

As soon as the double elimination got started some big names spewed out by up-and-coming talent.

Levi Siver (Quatro / NeilPryde) was the first victim of an on-form Jonas Ceballos (Fanatic / Simmer), and Marcilio Browne (Mistral / Gaastra), who fully made-up for a stuttering start in the single elimination.

Next to fall was Nik Baker (Mistral / North) who had a tough time in the fading conditions against light wind specialists Thomas Traversa (Tabou / Gaastra) and Camille Juban (Quatro / GUN).

Boujmaa Guillol (Starboard / Severne) was also ejected in that heat despite throwing some outrageous Goytas right onto the rocks.

But Traversa scored wave of the day with perfect timing and a flowing rhythmic groove connecting all his turns together.

The remaining second round heats had to wait until day 3 when the event moved up to the west coast to a spot known as ?Little Ho?okipa?.

25-minute heat duration was set with the best 2 waves counting and the best 2 riders advancing at a time.

The action was hot once again and competition was tight for spots in every following heat.

Trialist Kai Katchadourian (Quatro / Simmer), a regular Cabo Verde visitor, really got the chance to show-off his knowledge of the islands breaks.

The American survived a tough encounter against Scott McKercher (Starboard / Severne), John Skye (F2 / Naish) and Ross Williams (Tabou / Gaastra) before getting on a roll to reach the top 8.

Things got serious in the third round when more top names fell by the wayside.

Both 2007 season runner-up Victor Fernandez (Fanatic / Simmer), and former world champion Kevin Pritchard (Starboard / Gaastra) were axed by fiery performances from Thomas Traversa (Tabou / Gaastra), and Marcilio Browne ? the reigning freestyle world champ.

Traversa shone brightly with his radical vertical riding style, which that saw him launch tweaked airs and show aggressive gouging of the steep head-to-half mast-high wave faces.

And Browne pulled a perfect air taka and looks set to fulfill another prophecy to reach the top of the wave sailing rankings just as he has in freestyle windsurfing.

But the star of the day had to be Alex Mussolini (RRD / NeilPryde) who clocked a 9.0 for a Goyta and big aerial back-to-back on the same ride.

But fading light and dropping breeze brought the day to an end before 6 agonizing days were spent on hold waiting for new swell and wind.

Eventually time just ran out and Kauli Seadi breathed a sigh of relief.

?It?s the perfect start to the season for me?, grinned Seadi at event HQ today.

?New year, new gear and a win to polish it off.

I?m especially happy that I can pay my new sponsors back so soon for their faith in me, plus it means a lot to beat someone as talented as Josh in waves of such quality.

Runner-up Angulo was instrumental once again in organizing this event in his back yard. ?I?m glad we got this event together again. It means everything to me to have riders of this quality here, plus I?m happy for Kauli as he?s an exceptional sailor, so I?m just looking forward to seeing the contract signed to have the PWA back in 2009.?

Our special thanks go to the event sponsors and the people of Cabo Verde for welcoming us back once again, and our congratulations to Josh, Kauli and Jason for their achievements.


The 2008 Cabo Verde PWA World Cup Results

1st Kauli Seadi (JP / NeilPryde) Brazil
2nd Josh Angulo (Maui Sails) Cabo Verde
3rd Jason Polakow (JP / NeilPryde) Australia
4th Robby Swift (JP / NeilPryde) Great Britain
5th Thomas Traversa (Tabou / Gaastra)
5th Alex Mussolini (RRD / NeilPryde)
7th Kai Katchadourian (Quatro / Simmer)
7th Marcilio Browne (Mistral / Gaastra)
9th Peter Volwater (F2 / North)
9th Kevin Pritchard (Starboard / Gaastra)

You can review the action at www.pwaworldtour.com to:

? Check elimination ladders
? View results
? Watch amazing video action clips
? Read the daily news summaries
? Browse awesome action photo galleries

Or, for more information, please contact the PWA office via info@pwaworldtour.com

Š PWA / Brian McDowell

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Zitat von Pat520i

Hehe, vielmehr sind alle am rätseln wann er auf welchem Board unterwegs ist

Zumindest weiß ich, wo und von wem seine letzten Wave-Boards gebaut wurden...?...
Allerdings ist das ja häufiger so, daß die Jungs meist ganz was anderes fahren als das, was drauf steht...