Mercedes-Benz Sylt PWA Grand Slam

Day 10: Gollito stages stunning comeback to earn seventh freestyle world title

The last day of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sylt PWA Grand Slam saw a dramatic finale as the men’s freestyle title race took a last minute turn, with an early flutter of wind allowing the double elimination to be completed, against the odds. 

Men’s 

Freestyle

Amado Vrieswijk (JP / Severne) came into the final day leading the event — putting him within touching distance of his first world crown. However, standing in his way was the formidable figure of 6-time freestyle world champion Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic / NorthSails / MFC), who was in inspired form today.

At the start of the day, Gollito knew that he would need to defeat Vrieswijk twice in order to regain the world title, but first of all he had to earn the right to face Vrieswijk again, which he duly did by defeating Adrien Bosson (Fanatic / NorthSails / Maui Ultra Fins) in Heat 50.

In the final, Gollito continued to impress and he ensured the title race went the full distance with a radical display, which was capped off with an absolutely amazing air chachoo and a clean backloop. 

The wind then began to drop leaving some uncertainty whether it would be possible to complete the last heat. The initial attempt to run the super final resulted in a cancellation, so the heat was extended to 12 minutes and thankfully the wind returned to provide a grandstand finale. Both sailors threw down some amazing manoeuvres — from air chachoos to air kabikuchis and backloops — but ultimately it was Gollito who edged the duel to complete a stunning comeback — earning the Venezuelan an incredible 7th freestyle world crown. 

Gollito drew upon all of his experience today and once again showed that he is an incredible competitor, who excels under pressure — further reinstating his reputation as the King of Freestyle. Gollito was understandably emotional after winning another world title and added: “Last night I didn’t really think that I’d be world champion today, but I just went to bed early and just thought let's see what happens. To have won my 7th world title is amazing. I can’t believe it. Thanks to all my sponsors, to Matthias for organising the event and of course my friends and family.”

Earlier in the day Adrien Bosson (Fanatic / NorthSails / Maui Ultra Fins) climbed up to 3rd place in the double elimination after claiming impressive victories against Yentel Caers (JP / NeilPryde), who completes this year’s overall podium, and Dieter Van der Eyken (Starboard / Severne).

At 3:30pm the prize giving ceremony was held as the champions of the event were crowned in front of a packed out crowd — bringing down the curtain on what has been a fantastic 10 days with results across all three disciplines being gained. 

To stay up to date with all the latest developments from Sylt — including the live stream, elimination ladders, entry list, images and live ticker simply click HERE and scroll to the bottom of the page.

Result 2016 Mercedes-Benz​ Sylt PWA Grand Slam — Men’s Freestyle

1st Gollito Estredo (Fanatic / NorthSails / MFC)

2nd Amado Vrieswijk (JP / Severne)

3rd Adrien Bosson (Fanatic / NorthSails / Maui Ultra Fins)

4th Dieter Van der Eyken (Starboard / Severne)

5th Yentel Caers (JP / NeilPryde)

6th Balz Müller (Patrik / Severne)

7th Philip Soltysiak (Starboard / Sailworks)

7th Matti Fabrizi (Fanatic / NorthSails)

9th Nicolas Akgazciyan (99NoveNove / Challenger Sails / Maui Ultra Fins)

9th Sam Esteve (JP / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins)

9th Steven Van Broeckhoven (JP / NeilPryde / Shamal Sunglasses)

9th Davy Scheffers (Tabou / GA Sails)

Overall Ranking 2016 Men's PWA Freestyle World Championship:

1st Gollito Estredo (Fanatic / NorthSails / MFC)

2nd Amado Vrieswijk (JP / Severne)

3rd Yentel Caers (JP / NeilPryde)

4th Dieter Van der Eyken (Starboard / Severne)

5th Philip Soltysiak (Starboard / Sailworks)

6th Balz Müller (Patrik / Severne)

7th Adrien Bosson Windsurfing (Fanatic / NorthSails / Maui Ultra Fins)

8th Steven Van Broeckhoven (JP / NeilPryde / Shamal Sunglasses)

9th Taty Frans (Starboard / GA Sails / Mystic)

10th Nicolas Akgazciyan (99NoveNove / Challenger Sails / Maui Ultra Fins)

Result 2016 Mercedes-Benz​ Sylt PWA Grand Slam - Men's Slalom

1st Matteo Iachino (Starboard / Point-7)

2nd Gonzalo Costa Hoevel (Starboard / Point-7) 

3rd Julien Quentel (Patrik / Avanti)

4th Ross Williams (Tabou / GA Sails / Mystic / Shamal Sunglasses)

5th Finian Maynard (99NoveNove / Gun Sails) 

6th Bruno Martini (Starboard / Point-7 / AL360)

7th Marco Lang (Fanatic / NorthSails)

8th Vincent Langer (Fanatic / NorthSails)

9th Pierre Mortefon (Fanatic / NorthSails)

10th Taty Frans (Starboard / GA Sails / Mystic)

Result 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sylt PWA Grand Slam — Women’s Wave

1st Iballa Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins)

2nd Daida Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins)

3rd Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins)

4th Amanda Beenen (99NoveNove / Point-7)

5th Lina Erpenstein (Patrik / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins)

5th Alice Arutkin (Fanatic / NorthSails)

5th Steffi Wahl (Patrik / Sailloft Hamburg) 

5th Justyna Sniady (Simmer / Simmer Sails / Mystic)

Result 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sylt PWA Grand Slam — Men’s Wave

1st Alex Mussolini (RRD / RRD Sails)

2nd Thomas Traversa (Tabou / GA Sails)

3rd Jaeger Stone (Starboard / Severne / SWOX / Shamal Sunglasses)

4th Victor Fernandez (Fanatic / NorthSails / MFC / Shamal Sunglasses)

5th Robby Swift (JP / NeilPryde / Mystic / SWOX)

5th Kenneth Danielsen (Simmer)

5th Klaas Voget (Fanatic / NorthSails / MFC)

5th Dany Bruch (Starboard / Flight Sails / AL360 / Shamal Sunglasses)

9th Moritz Mauch (Severne / Severne Sails / MFC)

9th John Skye (RRD / RRD Sails / MFC)

9th Dieter Van der Eyken (Starboard / Severne)

9th Antoine Martin (JP / NeilPryde / MFC)

9th Marcilio Browne (Goya Windsurfing / MFC)

9th Leon Jamaer (JP / NeilPryde)

9th Camille Juban (Quatro / Simmer / MFC)

9th Alessio Stillrich (Fanatic / NorthSails / MFC)

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