2001 Fuerteventura Freestyle Grand Prix Day 3
Seventeen year old Robby Swift (JP/Pryde) continued his winning ways today by beating team mate and current Freestyle champion Josh Stone (JP/Pryde) in a tense final. It took the young English sailor two attempts to claim victory, but it was a 5-0 decision from the judges that confirmed Robby’s obvious domination of the event.
Josh Stones march back up through the double elimination ladder was a true world champions performance. Josh took out the likes of Robert Sand, Ricardo Campello, Antoine Albeau, Vidar Jensen, Richie Foster and Matt Pritchard. Each one of these heats could have been a final in itself showing just how high the standard is on the freestyle circuit. The most notable heat of the day was Josh against Ricardo Campello (JP/Pryde), the young Venezuelan was blowing peoples minds with his display of Spock McTwists, Goitas and planing Push Loops. His hot moves were no match for the World Champion who displayed better contest experience and pulled out a perfect Ponch right at the end of the heat. So Josh advanced to the final to meet Robby Swift, as this was a double elimination Josh would have to beat Robby twice if he was to take the event. Once again the crowds lined along the beach were treated to the best action of the day, neither sailor was holding back matching each other move for move, sometimes without realizing in complete synchronization. It was Josh though that once again busted out a monster Ponch landing almost planing to edge the heat on a split 3/2 decision.
This meant another final and another chance for Robby to reclaim his number one spot. Having a heat against a world champion does not seem to daunt Robby though and from the moment the green flag went up it was clear that Robby was hungry for victory. So what does it take to beat Josh Stone the undisputed king of freestyle? Try Spocks, One handed Spocks, Spock 540’s, Ponch’s, One handed Shove Its, Upwind 360’s and Grubby’s, phew!!! Robby did all of the above and more to prove that he is the best freestyler in the world today and easily beat Josh with a 5-0 decision from the judges.
It was not just a perfect day for Robby and Josh, Matt Pritchard (AHD/Gaastra) secured third place and Richie Foster (Fanatic/Naish) was ecstatic about his fourth place, his best result in a Grand Prix event. Richie probably trains more than anyone and all his hard work paid of with this result.
Kauli Seadi (Naish) who showed so much form freesailing talent all week finally settled his nerves and demolished everyone he came up against disposing of Kevin Pritchard, Rick Feddicke, Diony Guadagnino and Remko de Weerd. Only Richie Foster tripped up the Brazilian’s salsa to the top. Kauli had the proud accolade of having the highest score in one heat, pulling a perfect clew first one handed spock 540, simply radical stuff.
The Jensen brothers were upholding the Canarian flag at this event. Vidar Jensen (North) finished the double elimination in fifth place with Orjan Jensen (Proof/North) coming a respectable ninth. The brothers love port tack conditions and there was enough ramps today to send the Jensen family into orbit!
The womens double elimination was also completed today and Karin Jaggi (F2/Arrows) was the Queen of the beach today with a resounding victory over Colette Guadagnino(JP/Pryde). Karin is pulling of the most technical tricks like Upwind 360´s, Vulcans, Push Tacks, Forwards and one near perfect Spock. Colette was very happy with her second place disposing of both of the Moreno twins on the road to the final, an unusual experience not having at least one of the twins in the final. The conditions at Sotavento do not seem to be to the Morenos liking, the flat offshore conditions a far cry from the Nuclear winds of Pozo.
So we will begin day 3 with the start of another round of double elimination for both the men and women. Will Robby Swift maintain his form from the first two days or will all the other sailors who show amazing ability freesailing, raise their game and take out the young Englishman. After todays performance from Robby they had better have some hot tricks up their sleeve!.