PWA Fuerteventura 2011 – Day 2

Fuerteventura springs into action with the freestyle fleet ripping, flying, and spinning through the opening rounds of the single elimination. With wind around 15-20 knots and the sun shining, the conditions provided the perfect start to the competition.

Men’s Fleet
A smooth set of heats saw many of the tour regulars slip seamlessly past their opponents in the opening round of competition. All favorites (Jose Estredo, Kiri Thode, Steven Van Broeckhoven) are still in charge as expected. The 16-year-old Youp Schmit (Netherlands, NED-27) dominated in the first heat of the day and kicked out the double move master Davy Scheffers (Netherlands, H-311). Youp earned himself a position in the top 8 and may now threaten the favorites.
The second round of competition witnessed the higher ranked sailors come out to play, bringing with them an armory of mind-blowing maneuvers. The highest scoring heat of the day was awarded to slick Belgian superstar, Steven Van Broeckhoven (B-72). Van Broeckhoven earned himself twenty-seven out of a possible thirty points in his heat against Christofer Kalk (Fanatic / Gaastra), landing extremely difficult moves. In the quarter final he will encounter Youp Schmit and Kiri Thode will compete against newcomer Philip Soltysiak (Canada).
Unexpectedly the German Riders Tilo Eber (G-414) and Marco Wedele (G-125) gave it up to their rivals in the first round but they will have the possibility to get revenge in the double elimination, where the loosers of the single elimination get a second chance.
The men‘s competition was held till the eight finals.

Women’s Fleet
The opening two heats of the women’s single elimination were completed when the conditions were at their most testing. The women had to be particularly selective where they performed their moves in order to avoid the large patches of choppy water.