The 2003 Catalunya, Costa Brava PWA Freestyle Qualifier Day 4
Remko De Weerd (Gaastra, Fanatic), Nicolas Akgazciyan (Neil Pryde, AHD) and Christian Sammer (F2, Arrows) are the only three sailors remaining in the double elimination of the first round of freestyle here in Costa Brava. After a dramatic day of action the competition was only two heats away from completion before the wind died at 7.30 p.m. in the evening. With winds swinging from bolt on shore thermals in the early afternoon, to side shore Tramontana in the evening the changeable conditions were making it tough going for the sailors as the double elimination drew towards the final stages. With thousands of spectators on the beach this afternoon cheering along the action the atmosphere was electric, with all the latest mind blowing freestyle stunts going down right in front of the judges tower.
Austrian sailor, Christian Sammer came through tough heats against Victor Diaz (AHD), Vidar Jensen (North), Frank Lewisch (Gaastra) and Mariano Estivill (Arrows) to make the final three and will face French sailor, Nicolas Akgazciyan in the first heat tomorrow with a place in the final at stake against Remko De Weerd. Sammer was pulling out all the stops today and his moves included some wicked forward loops, slick spock 540's and planning grubbys.
Andrea Rosati (Neil Pryde) showed excellent form today and advanced over Anthony Ruenes (AHD, Neil Pryde), Jonas Ceballos Sanchez (Gaastra, Fanatic) and Victor Fernandez Lopez (Fanatic) before going down to Orjan Jensen (North) in heat 62b. The Italian sailor looked like he could be going all the way to the final stages but Jensen's sensational jump skills gave him the edge in a closely fought encounter.
The Jensen brothers had made a bet this morning that whoever finished with the worst result here in Spain would have to de-rig both sets of equipment after the competition finishes tomorrow night. As it stands Orjan will be able to relax tomorrow afternoon following Vidar's early exit against Christian Sammer in heat 62. Orjan was out himself the very next heat when he was taken down by Argentinean hot shot Mariano Estivill (Arrows).
The battle between Estivill and Sammer was neck and neck as they matched the each other's moves in the heat of battle. Both sailors found ramps for forward loops, which sent the huge crowds on the beach into a frenzy of cheering and screaming. In the end it was the Austrian sailor who nailed the tougher moves and put together a more consistent routine.
Last nights boat trip went off, with sailors dancing the night away on board an 80-foot catamaran moored up in Roses Bay. Italian sailors Raimondo Gasperni and Andrea Rosati were the major players on the dance floor although Julien Taboulet (JP, Neil Pryde), Leo Ray (Naish), Anthony Reunes and Nicolas Akgazciyan stole the show at the end of the evening with a spirited vocal performance.
Tomorrows forecast is excellent and we could possibly end the contest with the most radical conditions of the week. A huge beach party is taking place tonight and it looks like once again Costa Brava will be rocking. If the wind is blowing early tomorrow morning we could finish the finals and then complete a further double elimination if conditions are suitable. Remko De Weerd has been patiently waiting to defend his single elimination victory - will he be able to hang on to the number one slot or will Sammer or Akgazciyan take him down?
The atmosphere here in Spain is incredible; with everything to play for, it looks like Costa Brava is going to finish in style with a dramatic climax on the final day. Watch this space for all the news, pictures and results as the story unfolds.