Mercedes-Benz Windsurf World Cup Sylt
After yesterday's mammoth day of competition, Day 4 of the Mercedes-Benz Windsurf World Cup Sylt proved to be a much more relaxed affair with the wind remaining light throughout the day. Although Graham Ezzy (Tabou / Ezzy Sails) and Marine Hunter (KA Sail) were tempted out midmorning for some float and ride as there was still plenty of swell on offer. However, despite being able to catch some waves the wind remained too light to be able compete and that was about as good as the wind got today.
Throughout the day several sailors were tempted out on to the water to pull into some of Sylt’s infamous dredging shorebreak waves.
After a massive day of competition yesterday, which saw results gained in the Men’s & Women’s Wave and Men’s Freestyle here are some reactions from a few sailors:
Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins), who won the Women’s Wave Single Elimination: “What a day yesterday! It was challenging but fun! Thanks to Oda Brødholt (Starboard / Severne Sails) & Maaike Huvermann (Severne / Severne Sails) for caddying me! Awesome to see the guru Steffi Wahl back in action and big congrats to Justyna Sniady (North Windsurfing / Maui Ultra Fins) & Lina Erpenstein (Severne / Severne Sails) finishing in the top 3.”
Marcilio Browne (Goya Windsurfing), who became the 2022 Men’s PWA Wave World Champion yesterday: “Hard to put this feeling into words. But all I can say is that it really feels like a dream.
It’s been 9 years since my second world title and since then it’s been a lot of fun, but also some close calls and mistakes that cost me the title a couple of times. To be totally honest by the end of the tour in 2019 i got the feeling that it just wouldn’t happen for me again and also felt burnt out from contests. Having those 2 years off gave me a fresh outlook on traveling, competing and the exciting feeling to go give it my all again.
I would never have accomplished this without the unconditional support of my wife, kids, family, friends and sponsors! Feeling so much gratitude for you all.
Thanks also for the windsurf community and everyone who made this possible.”
Justyna Sniady: “Rough seas and strong winds made for classic Sylt day yesterday! Super happy to make the final and get second in the single elimination with everyone ripping out there. Big congrats to all. Massive thank you goes to @dr_windsurf and Rena for helping me through the heats and to everyone cheering me on. I’m looking forward to the double elimination later this week.”
Lina Erpenstein: “What an amazing day yesterday! Finished 3rd in the single elimination in some epic North Sea conditions. Also it was pretty fun to watch world class sailing from all the girls and boys out there. Excited for what the rest of the week will bring!”
Steven Van Broeckhoven (Starboard / GUNSAILS): “Second place in the single elimination yesterday. Super happy with the result so far! Big congrats to Adrien Bosson for taking the deserved victory. Let’s what rest of the week will bring us, looks like on the weekend getting some crazy onshore conditions.”
Adrien Bosson (Fanatic / Duotone / Maui Ultra Fins): “Winner of the single elimination - starting the contest at 7:30am with 30+ knots, ramps and cold weather. Crazy conditions! Stacked on 4.0m, but so much fun! One more week to go finish the contest. Let’s GO.”
Philip Köster (Severne / Severne Sails / Black Project Fins): “Really happy to win the single elimination in sick conditions and best support on the beach.”
Robby Swift (JP / NeilPryde / SWOX): “Congratulations Marcilio Browne. What a pleasure to finally see you realise what you have come so close to so many times over the past 9 years since your last world title. I think all your competitors and rivals are happy to see you win the title this year. Its hard to comprehend just how many thousands of hours went into this and I hope that you enjoy every moment of what you have worked so hard for!! We are all proud of you and inspired by the motivation, dedication and the boundaries you push in every aspect of this sport!! Enjoy.”
Steffi Wahl (Windflüchter Surfboards / Sailloft Hamburg): “Yesterday was stunning. Good vibes on the beach, a nice semifinal and unfortunately a losers final against my friend Lina Erpenstein. Podium for her and a 4th place in the single elimination here on Sylt for myself. Competition fun in unbelievable conditions for Sylt.”
Tomorrow realistically looks like a lay day with little to no wind currently on the forecast, but with Sylt’s unpredictability you never know. All fleets will meet again tomorrow morning at 10am (GMT+2) for the skippers’ meeting - first possible start for Waves and Freestyle 10:30am, Slalom 11am.