PWA Bonaire World Cup - New star emerges on day 3

by Chris Yates on 24 Jun 2014 On day three of the PWA Bonaire World Cup, the goods were delivered for the second day in a row. The wind was slightly lighter than yesterday, but that didn’t stop the freestylers delivering another enthralling display in the freestyle paradise that is Bonaire. After eight hours of unbelievable action Kiri Thode (Starboard / GA Sails) and Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Mystic / Chris Benz / Maui Ultra Fins) successfully defended their single elimination crowns, as a new star emerged in the women’s fleet.

Having successfully defeated Tonky Frans (Tabou / GA Sails), Steven Van Broeckhoven (JP / NeilPryde) once again faced Kiri Thode in the winner’s final. The duo were almost inseparable yesterday and today proved no different as they pushed the limits of not only themselves, but freestyle as well. SVB made the better start to the final as he out performed Thode’s opening moves. Firstly the Belgian maestro unleashed a stunning spock culo before adding a perfect future. After a slow, start by his standards, Thode then returned with a vengeance as he exploded into a trademark air bob into spock and a double popped shaka into flaka. However, Van Broeckhoven instantly transferred the pressure back onto his rival with an incredible kabikuchi.

Having seen this, Thode responded with a brilliant kabikuchi of his own as the duo continued their furious battle. In the end Thode edged ahead as he landed two killer combos - a spock into culo and the best of the bunch a simply amazing air bob into culo. Before long it was confirmed that Thode had successfully defeated Van Broeckhoven to remain the current King of Bonaire.

Amado Vrieswijk (Starboard / Severne) proved again today why he is one of the most exciting talents on the PWA World Tour. The Bonairean produced several superb heats as he combined his unique island style with stunning combinations to secure fifth place in the double elimination. Vrieswijk won three heats in a row as he first defeated Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins), before taking the scalp of five-time PWA World Champion Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic / North / MFC), in what proved to be one of the heats of the day. On his way to victory Vrieswijk was able to land double culos, kabikuchis and monster air bobs. The outcome was a close call, but with Gollito missing a move on starboard tack, Vrieswijk deservedly advanced. The eighteen year old then defeated Dieter van der Eyken (Starboard / Severne), before fellow Bonairean Youp Schmit (JP / Avanti) stopped him in his tracks.

Earlier in the day Davy Scheffers accumulated the highest scores of the day thus far in heat 38a with a superlative display. In the lighter winds and flat water the Dutchman truly excelled as he landed a stylish one-handed air funnel into funnel and a one-handed double bob. Taty Frans then took things up a notch in heat 41a as he earned the next highest scores by landing double spocks, a burner into funnel and a sick cana brava into clew-first spock.

Maikke Huvermann (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) qualified for her first appearance in a winners’ final after taking down the current PWA Freestyle Vice-World Champion Arrianne Aukes (RRD / Simmer / Maui Ultra Fins) in a hugely impressive display. Waiting for her was the ominous figure of Sarah-Quita Offringa, as always. The sixteen year old made a strong start to the heat, sliding through a perfect spock, but Offringa came flying out of the starting blocks as she exploded into a quick double flaka and a text-book funnel. Huvermann soon shook off any nerves to demonstrate the kind of form that had earned her a place in the final as she landed smooth flakas on both tacks, a superb funnel and a grubby diablo. However, Offringa was in untouchable form again today and only got stronger as the heat progressed. From flawless bobs on both sides, to sick shakas and a massive culo, the Queen of Freestyle remained in a league of her own, for now at least.

Maikke Huvermann was the standout sailor today as she fought her way back through the double elimination. En route to her first ever final the Dutch girl dispatched of several big names, firstly Olya Raskina (JP / NeilPryde), Oda Johanne (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) and Yoli de Brendt (Fanatic / North) before claiming the biggest victory of her career to date against Arrianne Aukes. Huvermann showed all the qualities - consistency, variation and style - required to be hugely successful and is only going to progress as a sailor from her on, making her not only a talent to keep a careful eye on over the remainder of the event, but also for years to come.

The forecast looks even better for tomorrow with stronger winds being predicted for the entire day, meaning the second single elimination should be completed. The skippers’ meeting has once again been called for 9am with the action commencing from 9:30am.

Results Men’s Double Elimination – Freestyle
1st Kiri Thode (Starboard / GA Sails)
2nd Steven Van Broeckhoven (JP / NeilPryde)
3rd Tonky Frans (Tabou / GA Sails)
4th Youp Schmit (JP / Avanti)
5th Amado Vrieswijk (Starboard / Severne)

Results Women’s Double Elimination – Freestyle
1st Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Mystic / Chris Benz / Maui Ultra Fins)
2nd Maikke Huvermann (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins)
3rd Arrianne Aukes (RRD / Simmer / Maui Ultra Fins)
4th Yoli de Brendt (Fanatic / North)
5th Oda Johanne (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) PWA World Tour