Today’s weather conditions were a lot more tamed then the past couple of days. The wind averaged approximately 20-25 knots throughout the day under cloudless, sunny blue skies. Race director Erik Troostheide announced this morning at the skippers meeting that the conditions were perfect to finish the freestyle double eliminations prior to wrapping up the wave competition, which will resume in El Cabezo at 2:00pm.

In the men’s freestyle double elimination division Andy Yates (Slingshot, AUS) was certainly on fire defeating Ariel Corniel (Ozone, DOM) as well as Sebastien Garat (RRD, FRA) in two consecutive heats. Yates pulled off some really intense tricks such as landing a front mobe to blind in the last seconds of his heat against Garat. Corniel crashed while performing a blind judge, landing hard on his weak knee that he injured in Fuerteventura, Spain last week. Youri Zoon (Slingshot, NED) put an end to Yates’ winning streak in the final round earning him the freestyle double elimination title.

In the women’s division, Angela Peral (North, ESP) defeated Spanish rider Laura Fernandez (Cabrinha, ESP) but was later eliminated by Kari Schibevaag (Ozone, NOR). Ania Grzelinska (North, POL) eliminated Schibevaag as well as Kristin Boese (Best, GER) in the semi final leading her to the final against Gisela Pulido (Airush, ESP). Pulido defeated Grzelinska earning her the freestyle double elimination title.

The wave conditions have certainly been world-class the past couple of days. In the men’s wave discipline, it was a spectacular day for Guilly Brandao (Mormaii, BRA). Brandao defeated Abel Lago (RRD, ESP) as well as Bruno Bordorsky (RRD, BRA) due to his overall better wave selection, style and power earning him a place in the final heat against Sky Solbach (North, USA). Solbach eliminated Spanish rider Rafael Aguado (North, ESP) in the quarterfinal. Aguado crashed and was unable to re-launch his kite. Tom Hebert (Airush, NCL) had an easy win over Ewaw Hill from Scotland. Hill dropped his kite, drifted to shore and was unable to re-launch his kite. Hebert lost in the losers final against Bordorsky. The conditions in El Cabezo can be a little difficult, one mistake and that could be the end of a heat. Brandao defeated Solbach in the final earning him first place in the wave event, while Solbach takes second, Bordorsky follows in third while Hebert takes fourth.

In the women’s wave division, Ania Grzelinska (North, POL) eliminates Angela Peral (North, ESP) in the first women’s heat of the day but is later defeated by Gisela Pulido (Airush, ESP). Grzelinska moves to the losers final against Kari Schibevaag (Ozone, NOR) who eliminated French rider Penelope Pessin in the third round. Spanish rider Ainhoa Garcia (Airush, ESP) defeated Schibevaag leading her to the final against Pulido. Pulido finishes first in the wave event while Garcia takes second. Grzelinska takes third while Schibevaag follows in fourth.

An award ceremony was held at the Plaza where numerous spectators, crew, riders and honorable guests attended marking the end of a very successful event with great results.

FREESTYLE DOUBLE ELMINATION RESULTS

MEN

1. Youri Zoon (Slingshot, NED)
2. Andy Yates (Slingshot, AUS)
3. Sebastien Garat (RRD, FRA)
4. Ariel Corniel (Ozone, DOM)

WOMEN

1. Gisela Pulido (Airush, ESP)
2. Ania Grzelinska (North, POL)
3. Kristin Boese (Best, GER)
4. Kari Schibevaag (Ozone, NOR)

WAVE RESULTS

MEN

1. Guilly Brandao (Mormaii, BRA)
2. Sky Solbach (North, USA)
3. Bruno Bordorsky (RRD, BRA)
4. Tom Hebert (Airush, NCL)

WOMEN

1. Gisela Pulido (Airush, ESP)
2. Ainhoa Garcia (Airush, ESP)
3. Kari Schibevaag (Ozone, NOR)
4. Ania Grzelinska (North, POL)

SOURCE: PKRA