The 2009 Gran Canaria PWA Grand Slam

The 2009 Gran Canaria PWA Grand Slam

EVENT PREVIEW - THE BUZZ OF EXCITEMENT THAT COURSES THROUGH THE VEINS OF THE WINDSURFING WORLD THIS MONTH CAN MEAN ONLY ONE THING: THE EPIC SHOWDOWN AT POZO IZQUIERDO IS ALMOST UPON US.

Gran Canaria is considered by many to be the jewel in the Tour’s crown. Synonymous with battering winds, pumping swells, and breathtaking action, it is the one event that can make or break the fortunes of the athletes who dare to compete in front of the rugged, volcanic landscape.

Running between the 10th and 17th of July, the forecast is for nuclear winds, and high surf yet again. For years, Gran Canaria has held counsel to the biggest names in the sport, often being the location where windsurfing history is made. Last year we were blown away by Ricardo Campello’s (JP/NeilPryde/MFC) first attempts at a triple loop, and this year rumors of yet more improbable stunts are circulating.

This brutal proving ground is often used to settle scores, and this year will be no exception. The 2009 Grand Slam will showcase men’s slalom, as well as both men’s and women’s waves.

Men’s Slalom:

Fortune favors those athletes who are physically tuned to withstand the ultra-high-wind conditions that are all too familiar here. Antoine Albeau (JP/NeilPryde) will be the undisputed favorite in the build up to the event, after incredible results here in the past. Meanwhile, giants among men Bjorn Dunkerbeck (Starboard/Severne Sails) and Finian Maynard (RRD/NeilPryde), will seem like Gods walking among mere mortals with their physical presence dominating the windmill strewn landscape, giving them a sure advantage amongst lesser specimens.

Race specialist Ross Williams (Tabou/Gaastra) will be looking to maintain his incredible form this year, with his precise tactics and blistering board speed, whilst the experts Micah Buzianis (JP/NeilPryde) and Jimmy Diaz (Starboard/North Sails) will be drawing on their vast experience to give them an edge over the dominant favourite Albeau.

Men’s and Women’s Waves:

Arguably the highlight of the event, the wave discipline, has always provided a gravity-defying spectacle that never ceases to amaze. The harrowing, turbulent waters of Pozo will seem worlds away from the satin perfection of Cabo Verde, yet Josh Angulo (Angulo/MauiSails/Dakine) will have to adapt immediately if he wants to hold his position leading this year’s title race.

Challenges from world-class performers come in the form of Kauli Seadi (JP/NeilPryde/MFC/Mormaii), Victor Fernandez (Fanatic/North Sails/MFC), and Jonas Ceballos (Fanatic/Simmer Style/MFC), whilst new-school heroes Marcillo Browne (Fanatic/North Sails) and Ricardo Campello (JP/NeilPryde/MFC) will no doubt demonstrate some of their searing talent here. News of the massive stunts pulled by Philip Köster (Starboard/NeilPryde) will be pushing the competitors to their limits as they approach the eve of the most eagerly anticipated event of the year.

We can expect the women’s wave event to be dominated by two particular locals who have the ability to tame these harsh waters in their blood: Daida Ruano Moreno (North Sails) and Iballa Ruano Moreno (North Sails). The twins have dominated the women’s wave discipline for years, thanks to a combination of fearless jumping skill, and technically astute wave riding. Challenges will come in the form of the excellent Nayra Alonso (Fanatic/Severne Sails), and an on form Junko Nagoshi (Tabou/Simmer Style/Dakine), who both impressed in the Pozo-esque condition last week in Lanzarote. Being their opening wave event of the year, a good result here is critical for a chance to fight for World Title.

The turbo-charged action will kick off on the 10th of July, where you can follow every white knuckle second LIVE here on the PWA website, where videos, pixel perfect images and the exclusive Live Ticker will provide you with up-to-the-minute access to the most exciting competition of the year, so stay with us as we report on history in the making.

© PWA / David Swift
Professional Windsurfers Association
info@pwaworldtour.com
http://www.pwaworldtour.com

Ich bin ja mal gespannt. 10.000$ gibt es für denjenigen, der einen Triple-Loop schafft. Ricardo wird es wieder probieren...

5.000$ gibt es für einen gestandenen Double Push oder Double Backloop.

Zitat von olivombagsti

Da kann ich nciht ganz volgen, wie soll den ein doppelter Backloop funktionieren, zwei mal mit der nose ins wasser ?

Naja, wenn Du hoch genug bist taucht auch keine Nose ein...

Den Triple würde ich eigentlich auch Philip Köster zutrauen, aber er wird nicht riskieren sich zu verletzen.
Normalerweise würde ich ihn auch auf Sieg tippen in Pozo, aber die Judges werden ihn niemals gewinnen lassen. Kauli hat halt den W.M. Bonus, schade...

Seit einer 3/4h läuft die Wave-Elimination, die haben es aber eilig...

Hammerwind die ganze Woche über, und für nächsten Freitag ist richtig fette Welle angesagt...

Tag 1 ist um:

Zitat von PWA

The 2009 Gran Canaria PWA Grand Slam
Day 1: Unbelievable action as the men’s wave event is underway, whilst expectations build in the theatre of dreams.

The first round of the men’s single elimination wave event has begun, with eight heats completed on a rising tide. After a busy registration morning, competitors were given the chance to perform on one the world’s most impressive stages, where ballistic winds tore through the wings once again.

Pozo Izquierdo has positioned itself as one of the highlights of the PWA World tour, thanks to a combination of gale-force winds and rolling swells. The volcanic beach curves around Gran Canaria’s barren shoreline like an Ancient Roman amphitheatre, enveloping the competitors in an atmospheric and testing surrounding.

The conditions today were no exception. The PWA elite were welcomed to this familiar showground by 40-knot gusts that dared them to the water, and after the morning’s unavoidable administration, competition began on schedule at 1400 sharp.

These early rounds proved successful for the local entrants, as they cruised through their heats. Notable performances by Marcos Perez (Exocet/Gun Sails), Ludovic Jossin (F2/The Loft) and Eleazar Alonso were enough to see them through to the more competitive and highly charged second round.

Alex Mussolini (Tabou) was up to old tricks, instantly wowing the spectators as he took to the water. His stylish jumps and wave-riding excellence left him head and shoulders above his early competition. Also impressing was the young Catalonian Aleix Sanllehy (North Sails), who made the most of the dropping swell to sail his way into the limelight. His incredible jumping skill, and technical wave riding were no doubt enough to grab the attention of the event favorite, Victor Fernandez (Fanatic/North Sails/MFC), who watched from the beach in earnest.

All eyes will surely be on Fernandez as we head into day two. The brilliant young Spaniard has proven his mettle by winning the event here three times in as many years, and as such he is certainly the man to beat.

Alas, by no means will it be a one horse race: the competition this year is fiercer than ever, young blood in the sport will push the limits, and the magic of huge, new moves may be enough to change the undercurrents of power that have dominated Gran Canaria for so long.

As of yet, there has been no action for the Women’s Fleet, or for the Slalom Fleet, while we wait in anticipation for the week’s forecast to settle in. The women will no doubt be gearing up to challenge Daida Ruano Moreno (North Sails) and Iballa Ruano Moreno (North Sails), whilst the slalom sailors know that Antoine Albeau (JP/NeilPryde) is the only man to beat.

Today’s action has reminded the windsurfing world why this event is held with such high regard amongst the pros. The colossal scale of the conditions, and the magnitude of the pride involved, acts as a catalyst for excellence. The sailors will push themselves to their physical limits to succeed in Pozo; and they will need to if they are to stand a chance at this epic venue.

Join us tomorrow, as we report on the action live as it unfolds – exclusively online at www.pwaworldtour.com.

© PWA / David Swift
Professional Windsurfers Association
info@pwaworldtour.com

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Geil, oder?

Morgen früh gibt es Slalom!
War gerade mit Jimmy Diaz (PWA Chef) Abendessen, war ganz interessant... Ich habe angeregt, daß es zukünftig eine Rookie Regelung geben soll im Slalom. Für Fahrer, also daß diese ohne Materialbeschränkung antreten dürfen. Wir werden sehen...

Zitat

The 2009 Gran Canaria PWA Grand Slam
Day 2: Fernandez and Moreno continue their dominance, as nuclear Pozo strikes again.

Pozo Izquierdo has provided yet another astonishing day of competition where both the men’s and women’s wave fleets have been whittled down to the final few. As we approach the ultimate heats of the single elimination, last year’s winners will need to battle fiercely against empowered locals and bitter rivals to retain their position at the top.

The day’s action reached its pinnacle as the competition progressed to the men’s top sixteen. Phillip Köster (Starboard/NeilPryde/Dakine) has taken the world by storm with his recent success, and he sailed brilliantly today, disposing of Kevin Mevissen (Tabou) and current PWA wave leader, Josh Angulo (Angulo/MauiSails/Dakine), on his way through the rounds. His massive jumps and incredible technical ability on the wave have boosted him through to the top eight.

Meeting Köster in the next round is the astonishingly talented Ricardo Campello (JP/NeilPryde/MFC), who has also stunned the crowd here. The ex-freestyle World Champion has converted to the wave discipline quickly and seamlessly, and is without doubt the most exciting competitor out on the water. His huge double forwards, tweaked pushloops and radical wave riding comfortably saw him past Omar Sanchez (RRD/RRD) and Ross Williams (Tabou/Gaastra), leaving him with a shot at a podium finish.

If past events at Pozo have taught the sailors anything, it is never to underestimate the power of local knowledge, as successes by Dario Ojeda (Simmer Style/MFC/Mormaii/Dakine) and Jonas Ceballos (Fanatic/Simmer Style/MFC) have proven.

Ojeda has been faultless in the past couple of days, and today was no exception. With the event’s highest scoring wave ride against the excellent Robby Swift (JP/NeilPryde), and a dramatic combination of jumps against the super-consistent Kevin Pritchard (Starboard/Gaastra/Dakine), he could have what it takes to claim a well-earned top four finish.

Alex Mussolini (Tabou) also found form, putting the formidable John Skye (RRD/Naish/MFC) and talented Danny Bruch (Exocet/Severne/MFC) to the sword. Mussolini has always been an incredible talent, and he will be thrilled with his results today. So too will Klaas Voget (Fanatic/NeilPryde/MFC), who demonstrated his outstanding talent by taking down Tonky Frans (F2/Gaastra) and Marcillo Browne (Fanatic/North Sails).

Three-times event winner, Victor Fernandez’s (Fanatic/North Sails/MFC) consistency and quality is likely to be the deciding factor in this event, helping him pass young hotshot Jose Romeo (Simmer Style). He sails with the confidence of a wise hunter who is truly at one with his great aquatic wilderness. His performance today was faultless, and the sense of understated brilliance that surrounds him is testament to the charming Spaniard’s ability.

Sitting along side him at the table of Champions was Daida Ruano Moreno (North Sails) who also lived up to expectations. Her flair was crowned today with a full speed, planing air taka that gave her the highest scoring wave in the women’s fleet. This outstanding maneuver has once again positioned Moreno at the absolute peak of women’s windsurfing.

Nayra Alonso (Fanatic/Severne), Iballa Ruano Moreno (North Sails) and Junko Nagoshi (Tabou/Simmer Style/Dakine) were all outstanding in their heats, continuing their success from Lanzarote. All three competitors have developed unique wave riding styles that set them apart from their peers, with an emphasis on tight, vertical turns in the critical section of the wave, whilst Evi Tsape (Fanatic/NeilPryde) and Silvia Orozco (MFC) also impressed.

A welcome return to the heroic Karin Jaggi saw her pass Fanny Aubet (JP/NeilPryde) in the opening heat, whilst France’s Alice Arutkin (Starboard/North Sails) competed brilliantly against Waka Nishida.

The performances in the women’s wave fleet have left the discipline transformed beyond recognition. Monstrous jumps and radical wave riding have boosted the standard of competition to great new heights – a fact that all the competitors should be truly proud of.

And so, as competition enters its third day, all eyes are on the defending champions and the local stars that challenge them. With relentless winds and building swell throughout the week, this Canarian Coliseum will play host to the epic battles between the gladiators of the sport.

We will be following every intense second of action exclusively live at pwaworldtour.com, and it will be a pleasure to take you along for the ride of a lifetime.


© PWA / David Swift
Professional Windsurfers Association
info@pwaworldtour.com
http://www.pwaworldtour.com

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Da bin ich ja mal gespannt wie ein Flitzebogen, der Heat Köster -> Campello wird der Hammer...