Preseason Buildup

Sarah-Quita Offringa fired up for competition and reveals who’s pushing hardest

Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde  / Maui Ultra Fins) has made a flying start to her 2017 campaign after claiming back-to-back bullets in the opening two slalom events of the year, which puts her firmly in control in the quest for a 4th slalom world crown and 13th overall. 

The only title to evaded the Aruban gem so far is the wave world crown, but she has only been competing in the waves for a couple of seasons and has already made massive progress. Firstly she defeated reigning world champion - Iballa Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) on home waters last year to take second place at the ’16 Gran Canaria Wind & Waves Festival, before signing off the year in style by winning the most prestigious event in windsurfing - The Aloha Classic - which was also the 26-year-olds first wave event victory and saw her complete the overall podium.

Now with the start of the wave season just a few days away we caught up with Sarah-Quita for an interview to find out how she’s feeling ahead of the start of the wave campaign.

Hey SQ, after a stint on the slalom gear it’s almost time to compete in the waves again - how are you feeling ahead of the start of the season?

What’s uuupp!!

It’s my favourite time of the year. 6 weeks Canary island hopping. It’s some of the toughest conditions I sail in all year, but I always end up learning so much here. I’m very motivated for the start of this season. Just because I feel like there is so much I need to learn in waves. Competition is my main driver for progress, so I’m eagerly awaiting the start of the contests.

Last year you managed to finish second in Pozo… do you think you can go one better this time around?

Oh man, when it comes to contests nothing is guaranteed but also everything is possible! So yes, why not? I think it’s definitely possible to improve from last year.

How long have you been in Pozo for and how’s the training going?

I arrived in Pozo about 5 weeks ahead of the contest. Unfortunately I’ve spent 2.5 weeks here without proper Pozo conditions. However, there are other spots that work when pozo doesn’t so actually I’ve been on the water almost every day anyway. Until now it wasn’t  exactly the wave training I was looking for, but freestyling was epic!

 

How’s the level on the water over there and who would you say in pushing hardest from what you’ve seen?

Oef.. It’s quite the experience being in Pozo during world cup season with so many good people sailing. Marcilio [Browne] is trying shifties on the way in when I’m just trying to get a backside hit, Alessio [Stillrich] busts out a wave 360 and a reverse on the wave you thought wouldn’t build up, Victor [Fernandez] grabs the stubby on a “flat” day and throws doubles, Marc Paré has become a professional dabber but likes to go for one footed backloops and big stalled forwards too. 

But of course the most motivating is sailing with the girls! Birgit [Reiger]  & Caterina [Stenta

s] waveriding is looking good, Lina [Erpenstein] has astronaut ambitions with the heights of her backies, Daida’s got her jumps on lock, Maria Andrés is here for the first time and killing the backside hits. Serena Zoia is here with solid forwards and waveriding. Aii Caramba! All in all it’s a motivating environment to sail in! 

Wait. Did I even answer the question ?

Haha thanks Sarah-Quita - see you in a few days.

The 2017 Gran Canaria Wind & Waves Festival kicks off on the 9th July and runs until the 15th - don’t miss any of the epic action by tuning into www.pwaworldtour.com - here you’ll be able to watch everything as it happens via the PWA live stream.