2010 PWA Surf World Cup Podersdorf

Die Freestyle Worldcup Saison beginnt...

Zitat von PWA

The 2010 PWA Surf World Cup Podersdorf - Event Preview

Gear up for some explosive action as the PWA’s finest freestylers pile in to Podersdorf for the opening event of the 2010 windsurfing world tour…

From April 30th through to May 5th the world’s best freestylers will congregate on the shores of Austria’s Neusiedler See to show off all of the latest sail spinning and board sliding trickery in front of the huge crowds, world media, and of course the international judging panel.

Movers and shakers

We’ve heard via the grapevine that the current PWA freestyle world champion of Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic, North) has been putting in the hours on the water this winter and is firing on all cylinders. Hailing from the so-called ‘freestyle capital of the world’, a.k.a Margarita, Venezuela, he’s a born and bred styler, and also a serious contender having claimed the overall world title on numerous occasions now.

The boys from Bonaire will also be snapping at Estredo’s heels, and making the most of every opportunity they can in order to gain some points and take the overall title back to the Caribbean at the end of the year. Taty Frans (Starboard, MauiSails), Kiri Thode (Starboard, Gaastra), and Tonky Frans (F2, Gaastra) made it a 1,2,3 at the final event of 2009, where Thode very nearly stole the overall show from Estredo. All three of the sailors can pull off the latest moves on demand, and often throw them with a unique style that wins over both the crowds and the judges.

Another name to watch is Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2, Gaastra). He put in a great performance last year, and is feared by the very best of his peers. He’s also got the advantage of being used to sailing in the cold, so we could see the young Belgian step it up a notch here.

The only top 20 ranked sailor missing from the scene is the extremely talented 2007 PWA freestyle world champion, Marcilio Browne (Fanatic, North, MFC). After injuring his foot this winter he’s decided to concentrate solely on the wave tour.

In it to win it

With a €30,000 prize purse up for grabs, expect the very best sailors to be pushing the limits with as yet, unseen in competition, combination moves that’ll blow both the pros and rookies off the water.
With a slight change to the PWA rule book, this season competitors will only be allowed to compete on models of production board that have been registered with the PWA.

Shore side

World renowned for its huge parties, and beach side activities, the Surf World Cup Podersdorf is bound to set the tour alight, and get the season going with a bang. If you’re looking for a festival atmosphere, mixed in with some extreme windsurfing competition at the highest level, this really is an event not to be missed. We guarantee you’ll be psyched up for the season after watching these guys strut their stuff.

Keeping in the groove

For more information on all the entrants, and to keep up to date with every piece of the action, click on www.pwaworldtour.com

Here you can use our:
• Live ticker service for heat-by-heat bulletins
• Check live elimination ladders
• View results
• Read daily news summaries
• Browse awesome action photo galleries

There’s also a dedicated event website for fans at www.surfworldcup.at

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

PWA/Paul Griffiths

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Das war Tag 1:

Zitat von PWA

The 2010 Podersdorf Surf World Cup – Day 1

The atmosphere around Lake Neusiedl heated up as the PWA’s hottest freestylers rocked up and tuned in. However, after waiting patiently all afternoon in soaring temperatures, light winds halted any form of competition from taking place.

The competitors were greeted with a relaxing first day on tour, giving them the opportunity to prepare their gear and acclimatize to the Austrian lakeside lifestyle. A total of 46 sailors registered their intention to compete, including the current world champion, Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic, North), Kiri Thode (Starboard, Gaastra), and Tonky Frans (F2, Gaastra), amongst many new comers including British born rider Max Rowe (Mistral, Simmer), and the young Belgian Dieter Van der Eyken (Starboard, Severne).

During the opening ceremony the organizers unveiled another exciting activity. The competitors have been given the opportunity to win themselves a further €1,000 by launching themselves off an indoor style jump ramp. Qualification for the finals of this mini competition will take place tomorrow, and on Sunday those that make it through the initial heats will battle it out with the best. If the wind fails to show up on cue, the competitors will be towed towards the ramp at full tilt, which will ensure a crowd-pleasing spectacle occurs!

Whilst the sailors were on standby we took the opportunity to chat to the current world champ, Estredo, to find out what he’s been up to, and see if he’s nervous about all the newcomers that have turned up here in Podersdorf.

PWA: How have you been preparing for the 2010 freestyle tour?
JE: “I’ve been at home in Venezuela for quite a while, but I’ve also been to a spot in Columbia which is really good for freestyle with Diony Guadagnino (Hot Sails Maui, MFC).”

PWA: What were you working on?
JE: “Instead of learning anything new, I’ve been concentrating on improving my style, and also the consistency of the moves that I can already land.”

PWA: Having trained without the other key players on the tour, and not learnt anything new, aren’t you a bit scared that there might be a few people who have overtaken you?
JE: “There’s definitely a chance that there could be people that not only surprise me, but also the judges, and everyone else. We’ll just have to wait and see when the competition starts.”

PWA: What’s the most difficult move to land in freestyle at the moment?
JE: “It’s got to be the Escudo which is Davy Scheffer’s (Tabou, Gaastra) move. It’s a bit like a kono into a flaka, which makes it really difficult to land. It’s a crazy move.”

PWA: Can we expect to see Scheffers and yourself landing such moves here on the lake?
JE: “If we get some strong winds then we will be able to give it a go, but in lighter winds it is virtually impossible. I think it will be a move that you’ll see later in the year at venues like Fuerteventura.”

PWA: How does it feel when you land such a complex and difficult move?
JE: “It feels great when I land one in training, but to land one in competition would feel really special. To land something like that in front of the judges, all the crowds, and the media, just feels amazing, I can’t really explain how good it feels.”

PWA: How do you feel right now? Are you nervous or more excited because it’s the start of the season?
JE: “At the moment I just want to get on the water as quickly as possible so that I can assess everyone else’s level. Once this has happened, I will know what I need to do myself in order to finish where I want to.

PWA: So you’re worried about the current level then?
JE: “I’m not so worried here because it’s difficult for everyone to pull off the newest moves in the lighter winds, but as I said before, if the conditions get really good, the level will be extremely high. I’ve been practicing in these lighter conditions quite a lot though, so I’m confident that I’ll be able to land plenty of technical moves here.”

PWA: Having won a world title under both the old format and the new, are you still a fan of the best move concept?
JE: “I much prefer the new one to the old. It not only makes freestyle much easier to follow for both the spectators and the judges, but it also means we can show off more complex moves in each heat, without having to worry about getting more moves in over the opponent.”

PWA: What’s your game plan now then? Do you still do a few safe moves first and then bust out the more complex ones? Or do you go all out as soon as the green flag goes up?
JE: “I still start with moves I know I will land because we can only fall twice in a heat. But, after the first four moves, I start to up my game and try complex moves which I can’t land quite as consistently. The second half of a heat definitely starts to get more interesting!”

PWA: What goes through your mind when you’re in a heat?
JE: “It depends who I’m up against. If it’s someone who’s not quite at the top level yet then I’m fairly relaxed and don’t worry too much. However, if I’m in a heat against someone like Kiri Thode (Starboard, Gaastra) I have to think about what I’m doing much more because I do get a little bit nervous. In those situations I just go out and sail the heat for myself, and try to forget that I’m sailing against someone else and just do my best.”

With or without wind, it looks like the action will definitely begin to unfold tomorrow.

For more information on all the entrants, and to keep up to date with every piece of the action, click on www.pwaworldtour.com

Here you can use our:
• Live ticker service for heat-by-heat bulletins
• Check live elimination ladders
• View results
• Read daily news summaries
• Browse awesome action photo galleries

There’s also a dedicated event website for fans at www.surfworldcup.at

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

PWA/Paul Griffiths

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Tag 2 ist um:

Zitat von PWA

The 2010 Podersdorf Surf World Cup – Day 2

Tow-in windsurfing and beach side games provided plenty of entertainment for the thousands of spectators lining the shore of Lake Neusiedl on the second day of competition.

With a promising start to day two, the first freestyle heat launched into action promptly. However, the wind quickly moderated leaving the sailors unable to even pump onto the plane. The race crew made every effort to re-start the competition throughout the day, but the wind refused to play ball.

The huge crowds hung out on the beach in the blazing hot sun with the world’s best freestylers until late in the afternoon when the young Belgian, Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2, Gaastra), decided to put on a show for them. After being towed along the shore at full speed behind a jet ski, he let go of the towrope, and threw himself round a perfect ponch on the glassy lake. On his next attempt, he exited a clean flaka diablo, which impressed both his peers and the spectators, reassuring everyone that he’ll be one of the main title contenders this season. Taty Frans (Starboard, MauiSails) also muscled in on the light wind action in preparation for the tow-in jump contest, which had been scheduled for the early evening.

Lured by the prospect of claiming a share of the €1000 prize purse, some of the craziest guys on tour signed up to be towed towards the huge mass of metal and plastic anchored just off the shore to throw down their extreme moves in front of a beach heaving with spectators.

Entrants for today’s qualifiers included Tonky (F2, Gaastra) and Taty Frans, Nicolas Akgazciyan (Starboard, Gun), Van Broeckhoven, Max Matissek (Fanatic, North), Tom Hartman (Naish, Naish), and Daniel Bikich.

Tonky had a small advantage, having been towed into the ramp the previous day, and Bikich also had a head start having built the ramp himself! All of those involved, put on an amazing spectacle for the partygoers of Podersdorf, and the moves that they managed to land included massive air flakas, ponches, and forwards. Other tricks were attempted but generally ended up as face plants and nasty looking crashes! The judges decided that Taty did the best move, followed by Bikich, and then Tonky. However, we’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see who claims the prize money.

Following the tow-in session, we caught up with Tonky to find out what makes this crazy man tick, and how he feels about being towed into the jump ramp.

PWA: What does it feel like to hit the artificial ramp at full speed with no wind in your sail?
TF: “It actually doesn’t feel totally alien to me because I’ve done it quite a few times now. I gave it a go in Holland at an exhibition, and I’ve had a fair few attempts here. It does feel a little bit strange I suppose, but when they let go of me as I approach the ramp, I have some apparent wind in my sail so it’s a bit like doing a normal jump.”

PWA: Isn’t it a little bit more frightening though? A normal ramp is just made out of water, this thing is made from a ton of metal and plastic!
TF: “No, I have no fear. In my mind I know it will work. It does get the adrenalin pumping a little bit more than usual, but that’s because I’m doing it in front of thousands of spectators. As a freestyler, I’ve crashed so many times before that it doesn’t really bother me anymore.”

PWA: So what moves do you think are possible when it’s absolutely glassy on the water and there’s not a breath of wind in the air?
TF: “I think that air flakas, air chachoos, and forward loops are all possible. If there’s a little bit of wind then back loops and push loops would also be ok, but you definitely need some sort of breeze to land those rotations.”

PWA: The video of you doing a forward on the PWA website looks unbelievable. How did it feel?
TF: “I can’t really explain it, but when everyone is watching, and I do it perfectly, it’s just amazing. I love it when I come back to the beach and everyone is smiling. I just want to be remembered as a legend in this sport. One day when I retire, I really want people to say, ‘hey there was this guy called Tonky Frans and he was a legend’. All the things I do now are to remind people that I was here, and I was helping the sport. I love it so much, it has enabled me to travel the world and live a dream life. I owe it everything.”

The organizers remain hopeful about the current forecast and will make every effort to get the main competition going at first light tomorrow morning.

Earlier in the day a minute’s silence was held in tribute to the former Czech freestyle champion and PWA competitor, Andrew Erban.

For more information on all the entrants, and to keep up to date with every piece of the action, click on www.pwaworldtour.com

Here you can use our:
• Live ticker service for heat-by-heat bulletins
• Check live elimination ladders
• View results
• Read daily news summaries
• Browse awesome action photo galleries

There’s also a dedicated event website for fans at www.surfworldcup.at

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

PWA/Paul Griffiths

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Tag 3 ist um:

Zitat von PWA

The 2010 Podersdorf Surf World Cup – Day 3

Light winds plagued Podersdorf for the third day in a row, but this didn’t stop the world’s finest freestylers from busting out their best tricks in front of the crazy Austrian crowds.

Following head judge Duncan Coombe’s dawn patrol, the hoards of spectators were treated to another full day of hanging out in the sun with the PWA’s stars. Unfortunately, we’ll all have to wait yet another day for the start of official 2010 world tour competition.

Mid afternoon, the same seven sailors that took part in the tow-in jump contest the previous day were saved from any bone breaking ramp action, and were instead asked to put on a show just yards from the beach. With reputations to uphold and fans to please, they invested every ounce of skill into styling it as best they could. The young Belgian, Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2, Gaastra), took full advantage of his extensive armoury of tricks and pulled off the most technical move, a culo, to win with emphatic style.

Winners And Losers
No official result, but Van Broeckhoven claimed first place in the tow-in freestyle exhibition, with Bonairean style master, Taty Frans (Starboard, MauiSails) in second after landing an amazing double flaka, and French showman, Nicolas Akgazciyan (Starboard, Gun) followed up in third with a stylish one-handed air flaka.

Move Of The Moment
Van Broeckhoven – Sailing away from a Culo is extremely impressive in the most idyllic freestyle conditions. But, being towed behind a Jet Ski at 30kts, and then launching into the move in front of thousands of spectators, with no wind whatsoever, is in a completely different league.

Biggest Breakthrough
Wind or no wind, the crowds were entertained. Competitors throwing themselves round the most difficult moves, in quick succession, and in ankle deep water is definitely a winner. Perhaps we should adopt this format of competition for the future…

Worst Wipeout
Tonky Frans (F2, Gaastra) – His back foot fell out of the strap whilst being towed at full pelt behind the Jet Ski. It looked nasty. But, he still came out smiling!

Beach Side Banter
Power Balance. Does the frequency given off by these wrist bands really help to improve your balance? Andy ‘Bubble’ Chambers (JP, NeilPryde) gave it a go during a demonstration this morning, and it seemed to have a positive effect. Whether or not it helps on the water, or in a practical sense in everyday life remains to be seen. He parted with €35 for one! And, he’s been asking about frequencies that can have a negative effect, so anyone sailing against Bubble this season should watch out. Have your foot-straps had anything hidden in them?

Quotes Of The Day
Antxon Otaegui (JP, NeilPryde) to Andre Paskowski (Fanatic, North)
AO: “Hey Andre are we going to go with the jet ski or what?”
AP: “No way man, we’re too old for that!”

Andy ‘Bubble’ Chambers (JP, NeilPryde)
“There’s no way I’m falling over now” – talking about his frequency enhancing wristband.

Taty Frans (F2, Maui Sails) – talking about Podersdorf
“I love the crowds… especially the women!”

Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic, North) to the Jet Ski driver.
JE: “Full power, full power, full power”
Driver: “This is full power!”

The forecast looks promising for tomorrow, so be sure to tune in for some explosive action on the PWA world tour.

For more information on all the entrants, and to keep up to date with every piece of the action, click on www.pwaworldtour.com

Here you can use our:
• Live ticker service for heat-by-heat bulletins
• Check live elimination ladders
• View results
• Read daily news summaries
• Browse awesome action photo galleries

There’s also a dedicated event website for fans at www.surfworldcup.at

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

PWA/Paul Griffiths

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Das war Tag 4:

Zitat von PWA

The 2010 Podersdorf Surf World Cup – Day 4

The event crew made every effort to get competition underway, but the frustratingly light winds forced the competitors to remain on standby for the full duration of the day.

Getting Tricky
When the one gust of the day did hit, the professionalism amongst the competitors was outstanding. With a chance that the competition could run at any moment an elite entourage of freestylers were on the water and ready to rock out their radical tricks. The current world champ, Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic, North), was seen throwing down many a move during the one-minute period of wind including a clean cana brava. Hopefully it’ll blow for long enough tomorrow to allow official competition to commence.

Tense Times In The Tent
Being on standby for the whole day with the threat of competition imminent, the sailors can get rather frustrated at times, and if you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time, you definitely know about it! Mid way through the afternoon, a group of the world’s most fierce freestylers were seen arguing over which moves should be scored the highest. According to the sailors, a willy skipper in Fuerteventura is as difficult as a chachoo in Bonaire! Head judge, Duncan Coombs, commented: “Generally we all agree that a regular chachoo is perhaps the most difficult move to perform, but it does all depend on the conditions, and moves will be scored accordingly.”

Chat Show
Here in Podersdorf there are often a few new faces on the world tour. We hooked up with two of freestyle’s freshest to rack their brains about their exciting new experience…

PWA: What’s it like coming to your first PWA event?

Max Rowe (Mistral, Simmer): “It’s all a bit surreal sitting here with all the guys that I’ve watched so many times in the videos. I’ve met a few of them before but have never seen them all in one room like this. It’s pretty exciting really. I just hope we get some wind!”

Dieter Van Der Eyken (Starboard, Severne): “It’s really cool. I remember just last year, looking at the pictures in the magazines and wishing I could go to the events. I decided to join a while ago and the last six months have gone really quickly.

PWA: How do you feel right now? Anxious or scared?

MR: “I do feel a little bit anxious, but I’ve got Andy Chambers (JP, NeilPryde) in my first heat. I’m hoping that by having a familiar face on the water it’ll make it easier, and perhaps take the pressure of the whole event.”

DVDE: “I’m quite scared of the scoring format because I haven’t practiced that many power moves recently. I was landing Culos fairly consistently during my training though, so hopefully they’ll help to push me through.

PWA: Do you feel star struck with the current world champion, sitting right next to us?

MR: “I’ve met Gollito a few times before when I worked in Margarita so it’s not too bad with him. I’ve only just met the guys from Bonaire though, so I was a bit scared of them, but they’re all super friendly. Everyone is very welcoming.”

DVDE: “Not really because I’m used to sailing with quite a lot of the guys. One good thing about having such great sailors in the heats is that you can either learn from them if they beat you. Or, if you beat them, it means you have a better chance of going further through the contest.”

PWA: Why have you decided to join the PWA world tour?

MR: “I think I’m at the right level now to join, and hopefully it’ll make me push my own personal sailing so that I improve further. Plus, I think it’s really good for the sport if we have more people competing at the highest level, and the PWA events definitely attract the best sailors in the world.”

DVDE: “I wanted to have fun and meet all of the top sailors in the world.

PWA: Where are you aiming to finish? Or are you simply here for the experience?

MR: “I suppose I’m here for the experience mainly, but it would be nice if I could break into the top 16. I’d love to be at that sort of level.”

DVDE: “Hopefully I’ll be able to get a top 16 finish. I didn’t train as much as I wanted to this winter, but at the EFPT event prior to this, I came 2nd which was a real shock to me. So hopefully a top 16 place here isn’t out of my reach. If I get kicked out in the first round, I’ll just try my hardest in the double elimination. Also, all of the guys have been training really hard this winter whereas I’ve only sailed a handful of times because I’m still at school, so there’s no shame in being beaten by them.”

PWA: Are you going to do the whole tour this year?

MR: “That’s my plan.”

DVDE: “I told everyone that if I got a top ten finish here then I would definitely do everything, but I’ve also got my exams to think about for the following few months. I would really like to go to them all though for sure. I mean it’s the highest level of competition in the world, and I’d love to be a part of it – I’ve been dreaming about competing on the PWA tour since I was nine years old!”

For more information on all the entrants, and to keep up to date with every piece of the action, click on www.pwaworldtour.com

Here you can use our:
• Live ticker service for heat-by-heat bulletins
• Check live elimination ladders
• View results
• Read daily news summaries
• Browse awesome action photo galleries

There’s also a dedicated event website for fans at www.surfworldcup.at

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

PWA/Paul Griffiths

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Und der Tag 5 immer noch ohne Wind

Zitat von PWA

The 2010 Podersdorf Surf World Cup – Day 5

The finest freestyle fleet in the world were totally becalmed on day five at Austria’s Neusiedler See.

No Blow
With every hope that the forecast would be wrong, the event organisers were ready to release the frustrated freestylers out of their equipment tents and onto the lake at 06:00. However, the wind gods were not with them, and refused to allow even the lightest of zephyrs to blow into the contest zone.

Winners & Losers
It’s difficult to keep a group of the world’s most active and competitive people on the planet satisfied with just a sofa and a laptop. So it wasn’t long before a Brazilians versus Europeans football match was organised. In a close fought battle, that went all the way through to penalties, the Brazilians nudged ahead to claim the silverware.

Top Tips
With plenty of time to kill, we took five of freestyle’s freshest aside and delved deep into their brains to bring you these top tips. For style success, simply soak up the following from the likes of tow-in freestyle champion Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2, Gaastra), Aruban air maestro Quincy Offringa (Starboard), Dutch wonder kid Davy Scheffers (Tabou, Gaastra), Tricktionary professor Michael Rossmeier (Loft), and flying Frenchman Nicolas Akgazciyan (Starboard, Gun).

PWA: First up, what’s your best tip for learning the forward loop?
SVB: “Put your back hand as far down the boom as you can, and instead of thinking about sheeting in, think about pulling that back hand right across your body.”
QO: “Man up and just go for it!”
DS: “Get over your fear in light winds by doing plenty of catapults. But, if you don’t have any fear just go for it like Quincy says!”
MR: “Sheet in hard, look back, and tuck your back leg up.”
NA: “Look at your back hand.”

PWA: How about the Vulcan?
SVB: “Put the nose of the board in the water, and don’t worry about trying to jump the board 180 degrees.”
QO: “Just concentrate on pulling your front arm across your body.”
DS: “Think about rig positioning, and forget about the board.”
MR: “Do some exercises on the beach to gain some muscle memory.”
NA: “Move your head, and your body will follow.”

PWA: Moving on to a spock?
SVB: “Have super quick hands, and get onto the new side of the boom as quick as possible.”
QO: “Jump downwind, not up.”
DS: “Search for a patch of really flat water, and go into the move with lots of speed.”
MR: “Look where you want your kit to go.”
NA: “Use a board with more volume so that you can float round the move more easily.”
PWA: And finally, flaka tips?
SVB: “Put your weight over the centreline of the board and towards the nose.”
QO: “Throw the rig towards the nose of the board. Don’t try to jump upwind.”
DS: “Practice doing some light wind stuff first like upwind 360s.”
MR: “Don’t push against your sail with your back hand.”
NA: “Try it out on land with a Buhala board first.”

Looking at the current forecast, the organisers remain hopeful that official competition will commence tomorrow. Head judge, Duncan Coombs, is calling a 05:30 skippers briefing, so there is every chance that a full double elimination could take place.

For more information on all the entrants, and to keep up to date with every piece of the action, click on www.pwaworldtour.com

Here you can use our:
• Live ticker service for heat-by-heat bulletins
• Check live elimination ladders
• View results
• Read daily news summaries
• Browse awesome action photo galleries

There’s also a dedicated event website for fans at www.surfworldcup.at

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

PWA/Paul Griffiths

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Das war Tag 6:

Zitat von PWA

The 2010 Podersdorf Surf World Cup – Day 6

An early morning of explosive action allowed the born and bred styler from Bonaire, Taty Frans, to claim his crown in Austria.

Results
1st Taty Frans (Starboard, MauiSails)
2nd Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2, Gaastra)
3rd Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic, North)

The 2009 Colgate world cup winner, Taty Frans proved that he’s currently the best freestyler in the world having beaten Steven Van Broeckhoven in a nail biting single elimination final on Lake Neusiedl today. Both competitors were pulling out all the stops in order to become the Podersdorf freestyle champion, but in the end, there could only be one winner.

Although the conditions were extremely tough during the final, Frans still managed to pull off technically difficult moves such as his finely executed culo. Van Broeckhoven tried to match him with a huge diversity of moves from lollipops to cana bravas, but he couldn’t quite keep up with Taty’s unique style, which continues to turn heads the world over.

Words Of A Champion
“Winning here in Podersdorf is like a dream come true. I never thought I could win in these conditions against the likes of Kiri Thode (Starboard, Gaastra), my brother Tonky, and Steven Van Broeckhoven because they’re all so good when it’s light. I don’t know if I should be happy or not, but I do feel like I’m flying right now – I’ve won two in a row! I’m really looking forward to the next event in the Canaries, see you there!” Taty Frans

Standing Out
Spaniard Antxon Otaegui (JP/NeilPryde) raised the level during the first round when he landed what some people believe to be the most difficult move in modern freestyle, the regular stance chachoo. The next sailor to really make his mark was Brazilian Jao Henrique Barros Ferreira who stunned the crowds with a faultless no handed flaka, and a technically correct culo. When showman Tonky Frans (F2, Gaastra) launched into action, all eyes were glued on his gear. In his first heat he completed all of his moves with minutes to spare, allowing him the opportunity to play up to the people, and do what he does best - show off!

Hottest Heat
When you whittle the world’s best down to the final eight, you expect extreme action. But, when you put the boys from Bonaire Tonky and Taty Frans, and Kiri Thode on the water all at the same time, and crank the wind up a few knots, you just don’t know which way to look. Despite putting on a dynamic performance, Maarten Van Ochten (JP, NeilPryde, MFC) didn’t really stand a chance against Thode who was being cheered on by his fellow island boys. The level went through the roof with countless culos, and outright awesome action. Podersdorf will no doubt see some Bonairean style celebrations tonight!

Biggest Move
Van Broeckhoven’s Air Cana Brava performed in heat 22 against Four Dimension’s star, Andre Paskowski (Fanatic, North). The Belgian wonder boy has more pop than Lady Gaga right now. Watch out for more full on air tricks throughout the summer.

Best Newcomer
One of the freshest faces on the tour is that of another Belgian youngster, Dieter Van der Eyken (Starboard, Severne). He dominated his first few heats, taking down local Austrian hot shot, Max Matissek (Fanatic, North) with a finely executed bob. He then moved on to take the scalp of Tricktionary genius Michael Rossmeier (Loft) with an array of smooth slides, including a switch chachoo, and half bob. However, luck wasn’t on Van der Eyken’s side as he qualified into the final sixteen to meet Taty Frans. Despite putting in 110%, he couldn’t quite match Taty’s incredible island style. There’s no shame in going out to someone who’s won the last two world cup events though!

Surprise Of The Day
Wind. Following five days of waiting around, most of the competitors had lost all hope of the competition actually running. Duncan Coombs and his team had other thoughts though, as did the wind gods. At the 05:30 skippers briefing freestyle’s finest were told to prepare themselves for the start of the 2010 world tour. This came as a bit of a shock to some of the professionals, including Belgian’s new wonder boy, Steven Van Broeckhoven, who’d been propping the bar up until the early hours!

Living Legend
Most people think world cup level freestyle is just for helium filled, double-jointed kids with elastic bones. It’s clearly not though because forty three year old Raimondo Gasperini (Starboard, Severne) from Italy entered this event, and put up a solid fight as he flew through his first heat. Unfortunately he met Taty in the second round so was stopped dead in his tracks, but it just goes to show that freestyle is a discipline for all ages.

That’s it for the action here in Podersdorf. For more information click on www.pwaworldtour.com

Here you can use our:
• Live ticker service for heat-by-heat bulletins
• Check live elimination ladders
• View results
• Read daily news summaries
• Browse awesome action photo galleries

There’s also a dedicated event website for fans at www.surfworldcup.at

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

PWA/Paul Griffiths

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Und die Zusammenfassung:

Zitat von PWA

The 2010 Podersdorf Surf World Cup – Event Summary

Taty Frans proves he’s the man to beat after claiming his crown with emphatic style ahead of Belgian boy wonder, Steven Van Broeckhoven, and the 2009 world champion, Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo, at the first stop of the world tour on Lake Neusiedl.

Following a year’s break from freestyle, the town of Podersdorf played host to the PWA’s finest style masters for their first event of 2010. The sun didn’t stop shining throughout the opening weekend, which gave a group of elite show offs the opportunity to perform in front of thousands of crazy Austrian party goers. Unfortunately, the wind wouldn’t play ball, but this didn’t stop six of the PWA’s stars from busting out their best moves to plenty of beachside beats for the crowds.

After five windless days at the Neusiedlee see, on the sixth, the wind gods awoke, and with an early rise for all, a full single elimination of flipping, sliding, and styling took place. The action packed morning allowed those that had trained hard all winter to prove their worth against the freshest fleet of freestylers on the planet.

Official Competition
The super slick and super stylish, Taty Frans (Starboard, MauiSails), stormed his way to victory on the final day of the Surf World Cup, Podersdorf, to make it two in a row, following his previous event win in Sylt.

Taty started off his mass cull by out tricking Italian PWA veteran, Raimondo Gasperini (Starboard, Severne). At 43, the living legend was the oldest competitor in Podersdorf, but his years of experience were no match for the boy from Bonaire.

Next up, Taty took down newcomer to the tour, Dieter Ven der Eyken (Starboard, Severne). Despite Ven der Eyken’s exciting foray of freestyle trickery, Taty’s display of exuberant style scored more highly with the international judging panel, allowing him a golden ticket to the next round.

The quarterfinal was without a doubt, the heat of the day. Taty was pitched in a play off against his brother, Tonky Frans (F2, Gaastra) for a place in the semi finals. But, also on the water, in a separate heat, was their best buddy from Bonaire, Kiri Thode (Starboard, Gaastra), who was up against, an on form, Maarten Van Ochten (JP, NeilPryde). It was like any other day down at Lac Bay, Bonaire for the boys, with moves aplenty and whoops and cheers for the best tricks laid down. The atmosphere throughout the entire heat was electric, and surely provided enough footage for a full feature length movie.

Taty managed to nudge ahead of his brother, which meant he had to beat Thode to claim his place in the winner’s final. After another display of kono’s, culo’s, and other body contorting moves, Taty forced his way through.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the draw, having already taken down the 2009 world champion, many thought that the king of pop, Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2, Gaastra) was simply unstoppable. Taty had other thoughts though and pulled out plenty of power moves to nudge ahead and take the title in Podersdorf.

Results
1st Taty Frans (Starboard, MauiSails)
2nd Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2, Gaastra)
3rd Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic, North)
4th Kiri Thode (Starboard, Gaastra)
5= Maarten Van Ochten (JP, NeilPryde)
5= Andre Paskowski (Fanatic, North)
5= Tonky Frans (F2, Gaastra)
5= Nicolas Akgazciyan (Starboard, Gun)

Crowd Pleasers
Tom Hartman ensured that thousands of Podersdorf’s partygoers went away with windsurfing at the forefront of their minds. With little wind, and the world’s best, he had a master plan that would prove extremely entertaining.

On Saturday he anchored his huge jump ramp yards from the beach and gathered a crew of riders that would be crazy enough to hit it following a tow-in from a jet ski. The daredevils included the infamous Frans brothers, Van Broeckhoven, local hero Max Matissek (Fanatic, North), and flying Frenchman Nicolas Akgazciyan (Starboard, Gun). The riders put on a crowd pleasing performance rotating round some fantastic air flakas and perfect forwards.

On Sunday the same crazy crew took tow-in to the next level with a freestyle competition on the mirror calm waters of the Neusiedlee see in ankle deep water. The guys performed a dynamic display of trickery in an attempt to claim their share of the extra €1000 prize pot put forward by the organisers. Van Broeckhoven claimed the largest chunk of cash, with Taty a close second, and Akgazciyan third.

What’s next?
We move forward to Ulsan, Korea where the 2010 slalom world tour kicks off on the 15th May. Be sure to check out www.pwaworldtour.com where you’ll be able to keep up with all of the action via the live ticker and the live elimination ladders, you’ll also be able to view awesome daily picture galleries, and read daily news summaries direct from the beach. For more information contact the PWA office via info@pwaworldtour.com.

PWA/Paul Griffiths

Professional Windsurfers Association

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