FUERTEVENTURA PWA GRAND SLAM

Event Summary: Albeau, Estredo and Offringa reign victorious after an amazing nine days

The 29th edition of the Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam, hosted by René Egli, saw nine days of fantastic competition as the slalom and freestyle fleets provided fantastic entertainment for everyone involved. By the end of the ferocious competition Antoine Albeau (RRD / NeilPryde) claimed victory in the slalom, whilst Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic / North / MFC) returned to winning ways in the men’s freestyle. Meanwhile, Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Mystic / Chris Benz / Maui Ultra Fins), produced another flawless display to move to within touching distance of her seventh PWA Freestyle World crown.

Men’s - Slalom

Antoine Albeau (RRD / NeilPryde) secured his second event victory of the year after coming from behind. The big Frenchman produced an amazing display on the final two days of the slalom to win three out of the remaining five rounds, as he eventually powered his way to the top of the rankings. However, Cyril Moussilmani (Starboard / Severne), still leads the overall world rankings after another consistent performance in Fuerteventura, which saw him earn second place to keep up his charge for the world title. 

Pascal Toselli (Starboard / Point-7) performed brilliantly over the five days of racing to claim his place on the prestigious podium for the first time. This event will also live long in the memory of the Frenchman as he also secured his first bullet on the PWA World Tour, after coming agonisingly close on several occasions already this season. Pierre Mortefon (Fanatic / North) completed an all French top four as they continue to dominate the proceedings in slalom. Julien Quentel (RRD / NeilPryde) achieved his first top ten finish of the year - ninth - whilst Sylvain Moussilmani (Simmer) completed the top ten to see six French in the top ten.

Ben Van Der Steen (Tabou / GA Sails / Mystic) continued his solid start to the season as he secured fifth place in Fuerteventura. The flying Dutchman won elimination four as he showed his blistering speed again, whilst also qualifying for another four winners’ finals.

Meanwhile, Josh Angulo (Angulo / Gun Sails), Matteo Iachino (Fanatic / North) and Ross Williams (Tabou / GA Sails / Mystic) completed the top ten as they finished, sixth, seventh and eight respectively. 

Men’s - Freestyle

Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo stormed his way back through the double elimination to claim his first event victory since his success in Fuerteventura last year. The Venezuelan fought his way back from third place after defeating Amado Vrieswijk (Starboard / Severne), followed by Steven Van Broeckhoven (JP / NeilPryde) in one of the closest heats of the year and a major talking point. The five-time world champion then defeated reigning world champion - Kiri Thode (Starboard / GA Sails) - to force a super final. After an amazing spectacle in the final heat of the event Gollito was eventually crowned the champion by way of a 2:1 decision.

Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo talks after winning his first event since here last year:

“I’m really happy, today is a good day for me. It’s great to be back on top. I’m pleased with how I performed in the final - I landed a lot of moves and combinations.”

Kiri Thode finished an incredibly close second after another brilliant display. His latest finish still keeps the Bonairean at the top of the world rankings, but he’ll still be desperate to win again in Sylt when the freestylers next compete in September.

Steven Van Broeckhoven completes the prestigious podium here in Fuerteventura. The Belgian maestro came agonisingly close to defeating Gollito in the battle for second and third after landing insane double culos, air funnel burners and a flawless kabikuchi, but this time around it wasn’t enough. Van Broeckhoven will now have to wait until Sylt to exact his revenge, but he still occupies second place in the overall PWA World Tour Rankings.

Amado Vrieswijk once again showed why he is one of the most exciting talents in the world right now. In the double elimination the eighteen year old landed his trademark double culos and textbook kabikuchis on both tacks to win four consecutive heats, as he defeated Davy Scheffers (Tabou / GA Sails), Dieter van der Eyken (Starboard / Severne), Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic / MFC) and Bjorn Saragoza (Starboard / Point-7) before Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo proved a step too far this time around. The Bonairean takes home fourth place here. Fellow Bonairean’s - Saragoza and Taty Frans - eventually finished in fifth and sixth place respectively.

Meanwhile, Dieter van der Eyken and Adrien Bosson (Fanatic / North / Maui Ultra Fins) claimed joint seventh, whilst the top ten was completed by Anthony Ruenes (Tabou / GA Sails), Davy Scheffers, Rafael de Windt (F2 / Hot Sails Maui) and Balz Muller (Patrik / Severne) - with the latter two both earning their first ever top ten results on the PWA Freestyle World Tour.

Women’s - Freestyle

Sarah-Quita Offringa produced another magnificent display to claim her second event victory of the season, which puts her within touching distance of her seventh PWA Freestyle World Championship, as she once again extended her phenomenal unbeaten run by landing the latest power moves, with such consistency that she would challenge many of her male counterparts.

Sarah-Quita Offringa speaks after sealing another event victory:

"I'm really happy to have won, we had really good conditions. Thanks to all the sponsors and to everyone who supported us over the week. I'm also really happy to see the level of the girls really improving. Congratulations to Olya and Oda for claiming their place in second and third and to all the other girls too."

Olya Raskina (JP / Neilpryde) secured her best ever finish on the PWA Freestyle World Tour as the Russian claimed second place. Over the course of the four days of competition Raskina showed a great variety of moves and crucially proved more consistent in the challenging, choppy conditions.

Completing the prestigious podium was Oda Johanne (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins), who continues to improve at virtually every competition she sails in. The Norwegian is still only in her second year on the PWA World Tour, but is already showing the potential to break into the overall top three and beyond. Johanne earned her place on the podium by landing brilliant shakas, switch konos and funnels.

Yoli de Brendt (Fanatic / North) took home fourth place after a great performance in the double elimination. Meanwhile, Heleen Muijsers (F2 / Challenger / AL360) produced her best performance so far to claim fifth ahead of Maaike Huvermann (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) in sixth.

Where’s Next on the PWA World Tour?

From the 4th of August the elite of the wave sailing world will return to action for their second event of the year, as they head to el Medano, Tenerife. You’ll be able to follow all of the brilliant action live by tuning into the PWA live stream and live ticker.

If you’d like to know more about Fuerteventura or are interested in a windsurfing holiday then be sure to visit www.rene-egli.com. René Egli is a world class windsurfing centre, which opened an amazing new station in April, stocked with all the latest toys you could possibly desire.

Also the PWA would like to extend their thanks to Thomas Cook Airlines for transporting the PWA crew to the beautiful Canary Islands.

Overall Results Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam - Men's Freestyle

1st Jose 'Gollito' Estredo (Fanatic / North / MFC)

2nd Kiri Thode (Starboard / GA Sails)

3rd Steven Van Broeckhoven (JP / NeilPryde)

4th Amado Vrieswijk (Starboard / Severne)

5th Bjorn Saragoza (Starboard / Hot Sails Maui)

6th Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic / MFC)

7th Adrien Bosson (Fanatic / North / Maui Ultra Fins)

7th Dieter van der Eyken (Starboard / Severne)

9th Davy Scheffers (Tabou / GA Sails)

9th Anthony Ruenes (Tabou / GA Sails)

9th Rafa de Windt (F2 / Hot Sails Maui)

9th Balz Muller (Patrik / Severne)

Overall Results Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam - Women's Freestyle

1st Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Mystic / Chris Benz / Maui Ultra Fins)

2nd Olya Raskina (JP / NeilPryde)

3rd Oda Johanne (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins)

4th Yoli de Brendt (Fanatic / North)

5th Heleen Muijsers (F2 / Challenger / AL360)

6th Maaike Huvermann (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins)

7th Maxime van Gent (Fanatic / North / Maui Ultra Fins)

7th Maeli Cherel (Severne)

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