The wind began to pick up in strength early this morning making it possible to finish the freestyle single elimination discipline. The weather has not been cooperating 100% in the wind department, however sunny blue skies and record-breaking temperatures have been the setting throughout most of the competition.

The men’s semi final got underway at 10:30am this morning. Dominican rider, Ariel Corniel (Ozone, DOM) was in the lead of the first heat of the day when he accidentally tangled lines with his opponent Andy Yates (Slingshot, AUS) causing him to be disqualified. Yates moved on to the men’s single elimination final against Spanish rider Alex Pastor (Airush, ESP) who eliminated the 2009 world champion Kevin Langeree (Naish, NED) in the semi final.

Kevin Langeree (Naish, NED) dominated the losers final in a 3/2 judges decision against Ariel Corniel (Ozone, DOM) with an overall better execution and difficulty of tricks such as a back mobe to wrapped and one handed 315 with a grab to name a few versus Corniel’s kite loop slim, front side 3, and blind judge 3. In the men’s final, Alex Pastor (Airush, ESP) defeated Australian rider Andy Yates (Slingshot, AUS) in a 4-1 judges decision. Pastor’s non inverted slim, front mobe to blind, kgb to blind and switch tricks were better executed with more power then Yates’ switch slim, switch kgb and switch blind judge.

In the women’s final, Spanish rider Gisela Pulido (Airush, ESP) defeated Brazilian rider Bruna Kajiya (Flexifoil, BRA) in a 5-0 judges decision due to an overall better execution of tricks such as kite loop 3 and kite loop slim chance. Kajiya executed most of the same tricks but her blind judge 3 and 313 were not enough to gain the win over Pulido. In the women’s losers final, Polish rider Karolina Winkowska (Slingshot, POL) defeated Spanish rider Angela Peral (North, ESP) in a 5-0 judges decision due to her variety of tricks such as a blind judge 3, slim chance and s-bend to blind.

At 3:00pm, the red flag went up marking the start of the racing discipline. Racers rushed out on the water for the 8th as well as 9th race of the competition. French racer Bruno Sroka (Cabrinha, FRA) finished first in both races today. Julien Kerneur (Takoon, FRA) placed second in the first race of the day while Spanish rider Abel Lago (RRD, ESP) takes third. In the second and final race of the day, Bruno Sroka (Cabrinha, FRA) finished yet again in first place followed by Olivier Dansin (North, FRA) in second and Julien Kerneur (Takoon, FRA) in third.

It was a challenging day for the women racers due to the stronger wind conditions. Katja Roose (Airush, NED) injured her foot during the race. The ambulance drove on the beach to care for her minor injury. In a short interview with Norwegian rider, Kari Schibevaag (Ozone, NOR) she mentioned that she only had a light wind board amongst her material and due to her extremely petite size, it was impossible for her to finish the race. Steph Bridge (North, GBR) finished in first place in both races today followed by Caroline Adrien (Cabrinha, FRA) who finished second in both races and German rider Kristin Boese (Best, GER) who finished third on both races.

Tomorrow’s mandatory skippers meeting is scheduled for 10:00am.

FREESTYLE SINGLE ELIMINATION RESULTS

MEN

1. Alex Pastor (Airush, ESP)
2. Andy Yates (Slingshot, AUS)
3. Kevin Langeree (Naish, NED)
4. Ariel Corniel (Ozone, DOM)

WOMEN

1. Gisela Pulido (Airush, ESP)
2. Bruna Kajiya (Flexifoil, BRA)
3. Karolina Winkowska (Slingshot, POL)
4. Angela Peral (North, ESP)

RACING RESULTS

MEN

RACE #1

1. Bruno Sroka (Cabrinha, FRA)
2. Julien Kerneur (Takoon, FRA)
3. Abel Lago (RRD, ESP)

RACE #2

1. Bruno Sroka (Cabrinha, FRA)
2. Olivier Dansin (North, FRA)
3. Julien Kerneur (Takoon, FRA)

WOMEN

RACE # 1

1. Steph Bridge (North, GBR)
2. Caroline Adrien (Cabrinha, FRA)
3. Kristin Boese (Best, GER)

RACE #2

1. Steph Bridge (North, GBR)
2. Caroline Adrien (Cabrinha, FRA)
3. Kristin Boese (Best, GER)

SOURCE: PKRA