SOMWR 10x Cabo Verde PWA World Cup
The much anticipated wait is almost over with the 2022 SOMWR 10x Cabo Verde PWA World Cup set to begin tomorrow until the 28th February. This is the first time in 12 years that the finest wave sailors in the world have returned to the world class break of Ponta Preta and if you are lucky enough to remember previous editions, you’ll recall some of the best competition windsurfing ever seen with full rail turns and huge aerials providing absolutely scintillating action. If you don’t remember, or you just want to whet your appetite before the start of the event, then make sure you watch this video from 2007 @ https://youtu.be/SheS8nh0uDU.
The Island of Sal is located in Cabo Verde, which is an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean situated approximately 350 miles off of the West Coast of Africa. Sal boasts a variety of waves, but the one in focus over the next 9 days will be Ponta Preta, which is a reeling starboard tack point break, which on its day can be one of the best right handers in the world. Ponta Preta is an intimidating wave, which makes it an experts only location as this fast peeling wave breaks over razor sharp, sea urchin infested reef. If that wasn’t enough it also breaks extremely close to the rocky shoreline, which means any wipeouts are likely to result in plenty of broken equipment with a gear crunching shorebreak on the inside. With high risk, comes high reward, so get set to see some of the best wave sailing on earth over the next 9 days as the world’s best wave sailors go for broke in the search for victory with a variety of tricks and turns.
Wave
Men’s
With wave conditions not materialising during the 2021 SOMWR 10x Marignane PWA Grand Slam that means that - Philip Köster (Severne / Severne Sails / Black Project) - still holds the world title from 2019. Köster has been spotted warming up in Cabo Verde with forwards off the lip and goiters, but it’s going to take a monumental effort to kick off his title defence in perfect fashion with a star studded lineup all chomping at the bit to win the first Men’s Pro Wave event since 2019.
Marcilio Browne (Goya Windsurfing) will undoubtedly be one of the favourites for the event title with the Brazilian’s surf-esque approach being extremely easy on the eye, whilst his above the lip antics are second to none. Browne came extremely close to a second wave world title in 2019 and will be looking to make a strong start to the new season as he ultimately chases a second wave world crown.
As well as Browne, several of the Maui Boy’s, or people who spend/spent plenty of time there at least, will also fancy their chances in Ponta Preta. Firstly, Ricardo Campello (Naish / Naish Sails), 3rd in 2019, who is still searching for his maiden wave world title, possesses all the tricks and turns necessary to come out on top, whilst the likes of former Aloha Classic Winners’ - Antoine Martin (Starboard), Morgan Noireaux (JP / NeilPryde / Black Project), Bernd Roediger (Flikka / Hot Sails Maui / Black Project) (IWT), Camille Juban (IWT) and Boujmaa Guilloul (Goya Windsurfing) (IWT), will be obvious threats, as will Graham Ezzy (Tabou / Ezzy) & Robby Swift (JP / NeilPryde / SWOX), whilst Jake Schettewi (JP / Hot Sails Maui / Black Project) represents one of the new generation coming through the ranks.
Thomas Traversa (Tabou / GA Sails) will also stand a great chance in Cabo Verde and you’d have to feel that the bigger the swell gets the better and better the 36-year-olds chances become as it’s in waves of consequence that Traversa really comes into his own. However, that’s not to say that if it's head to logo high the Frenchman isn’t in with a great shout as he remains one of the best sailors on starboard tack.
Josh Angulo (Angulo) has played an instrumental role in bringing the return of the PWA to the shores of Cabo Verde, but now that the event is about to begin the 2-time Wave World Champion can try and turn his attention towards the competition - where he could still be a major threat. Although it has been 12 years since the last event in Cabo Verde, the 47-year-old probably holds the most local knowledge of Ponta Preta of anyone, whilst he has a real affinity with the wave. Not to mention the fact that in the previous editions of world cups held here Angulo boasts a phenomenal record - winning two out of the three events between 2007-09, whilst finishing second in the other, so it’s going to be intriguing to see what magic he can conjure up.
Meanwhile, as a 3-time world champion - Victor Fernandez (Fanatic / Duotone) - can never be ruled out. In previous editions things haven’t quite gone the Spaniard’s way at Ponta Preta, but he remains one to watch carefully.
Unfortunately, this event comes too soon for Marc Paré (Fanatic / Duotone) after undergoing surgery on an ongoing foot problem, whilst Henri Kolberg (Naish / Naish Sails) has also been forced to withdraw from the event after breaking his ankle. The PWA wishes both sailors all the best with their recoveries. With a couple of places opening up in the draw that sees the Flechet brothers, Julian (Tabou / Hot Sails Maui / Black Project Fins) and Titouan (Tabou / Hot Sails Maui) take their places.
With more than a decade since the last event here, it’s fair to say that the lineup looks a little different from last time around, so there are plenty of new faces breaking through into the main event after previously competing on the Youth Wave PWA World Tour. It’ll be interesting to see if any of them can really impose themselves on the event, or if it will be the normal household names still dominating proceedings.
Other notable names missing from the draw include Aussie ripper - Jaeger Stone (Severne / Severne Sails), Leon Jamaer (JP / NeilPryde) & Alex Mussolini (Challenger Sails) - who finished 7th, 8th & 10th overall in 2019.
How's it looking?
It looks as though there will be plenty of wind for the first few days of the event with 20-25 knot northeasterly winds, while the swell in slowly expected to increase from 2 metres @ 8 seconds today, to 2.6 metres @ 11 seconds by Monday.
The stage is now set for the 2022 SOMWR 10x Cabo Verde PWA World Cup and the sailors will be registering a little later today (19th Feb) - 4:30-5pm (GMT-1) - so that if the conditions are suitable on the 20th the contest can begin immediately. You’ll be able to see everything as it happens via the PWA live stream with Kai Katchadourian (Simmer / Simmer Sails) on hand to guide you through the best of the action.
To stay up to date with all the latest developments from Cabo Verde — including the live stream, elimination ladders, entry list, images and live ticker simply click HERE and scroll to the bottom of the page.
Recap Overall Ranking 2019 PWA World Tour - Men’s Wave
1st Philip Köster (GER | Severne / Severne Sails / Black Project)
2nd Marcilio Browne (BRA | Goya Windsurfing)
3rd Ricardo Campello (VEN/BRA | Naish / Naish Sails)
4th Antoine Martin (FRA | Starboard)
5th Victor Fernandez (ESP | Fanatic / Duotone)
6th Thomas Traversa (FRA | Tabou / GA Sails)
7th Jaeger Stone (AUS | Starboard / Severne / SWOX)
8th Leon Jamaer (GER | JP / NeilPryde)
9th Marc Paré (ESP | Fanatic / Duotone)
10th Alex Mussolini (ESP |Challenger Sails)
*Equipment updated to reflect current sponsors