PWA Costa Teguise World Cup

A gruelling double elimination has altered the rankings, with questions being asked of the world’s elite. The defending champions were forced to sail with inspiration as freestyle is pushed to a new level here in Lanzarote. Upsets in the men’s second single elimination have ignited a race for the event crown, and stand out performances by the women have shifted key contenders. Overnight, a six-foot swell had churned the reef white, and a 35-knot wind spiralled cyclones in the sand. It was clear from the outset today that fortune would favour the brave.

The Double Elimination.
Yolanda De Brendt (Fanatic/North Sails) and Daida Ruano Moreno (North Sails) quickly accustomed to the turbulent conditions in the day’s opening encounter. Moreno was superb in the air, swift to assert her presence with a fearless stalled forward supporting a comfortable freestyle display. Whilst De Brendt sailed fantastically, boosting high shakas and slick punetas, the Spaniard’s aerial dominance prevailed.

Nevertheless, against a faultless performance by Junko Nagoshi (Tabou/Simmer Style/Da Kine), even a double forward was not enough, as Moreno was eliminated leaving Japan’s first lady on the crest of the wave. Nagoshi climbed the ranks of the passionate and highly competitive women’s fleet, ahead of the talented Laure Treboux (Fanatic / North Sails), fighting her way to the final.   

Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard/NeilPryde) showed no intention of sharing her title as the two charged into their showdown. Taking advantage of the swell, Offringa boosted into a massive shaka, and slid into a faultless clew-first flaka, one step ahead of Nagoshi at all times. The windsurfing world has found something special in Offringa, who has succeed in transforming women’s competition to the outstanding level that have we witnessed here today.

Intensity on the water continued to build, as the epic conditions inspired the men to combine big wave stunts with freestyle trickery. The unflinching attitude held by a determined Antxon Otaegui (JP/NeilPryde/MFC) saw the heroic local reach new heights in today’s event. As howling trade winds took hold, Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2/Maui Sails), Marcillo Browne (Fanatic/North Sails), and Kiri Thode (Starboard/Gaastra) all fell to the Spaniard who landed clean double forwards in every heat. It was Otaegui’s strength that shone through the rounds, allowing him to muscle through every move in a steadfast, brilliant display.

Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic/North Sails) waited calmly on the beach for his challenger before taking to the water to defend his lead. Otaegui opened up with a funnel and a one-handed shaka directly infront of Gollito, ruthlessly showing his intentions. The Venezuelan held his nerve brilliantly, responding with a huge air chacho, followed by a one handed shaka. A perfect heat for Estredo gave him the edge, and The World Champion was still on top. 

A resolute peformance by Otaegui had done enough to leave him in second place, a strong to position to stand in a quest for the top spot.