PWA Fuerteventura World Cup Registration day - A race against time

by Vivienne Masters on 21 Jul 2013 PWA Fuerteventura World Cup registration day saw both the men’s and women’s freestyle fleets registering for the upcoming week of competition between 1pm and 2pm. Many of the sailors took the opportunity to fit in a final training session before the single eliminations begin tomorrow with ideal winds blowing throughout the day. Today also saw a trial heats take place at 3pm to decide the final two places in the men’s draw.

The trials heat saw Oliver Stauffacher (Patrik / Gaastra) take on Antoine Albert (Tabou / Gaastra) and Francesco Cappuzzo (RRD / AL360) in a six-minute battle this afternoon. In the end it was the sixteen year old Italian - Cappuzzo - who stole the show as he demonstrated his repertoire of power moves, consisting of a brilliant planing culo, a clean ponch and a nicely rotated shaka, to win the heat, whilst Albert clinched the all important second place to secure the final qualifying position. The man from New Caledonia landed a culo, regular kono and a switch kono to advance to leave Stauffacher disappointed.

The reigning PWA Freestyle World Champion - Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic / North) - now faces a race against time to be fit for the next six days of competition. The five-time title winner suffered a knee injury yesterday evening, whilst training. After initially trying to sail off the injury it soon became evident that he needed to return to the beach for further medical attention.

Here’s what the man himself had to say: 'After arriving at the hotel yesterday I went to train for a few hours before we start competing on Sunday, unfortunately I whilst out training I suffered a knee injury. I must now wait until Sunday when I will see the physio again and he will tell me whether I will be able compete or not. Many thanks to Reiner and Tom de Brendt and Yoli [de Brendt] (Fanatic / North) for their help.'

Gollito isn’t the only sailor who is trying to overcome injuries as Canada’s Phil Soltysiak (Starboard / Sailworks) and Britain’s Adam Sims (Patrik / Sailloft Hamburg) are also battling to be fit. Soltysiak suffered a dislocated shoulder, whilst Sims has injured his foot - with suspected ligament damage - trying a switch ponch.

We also caught up with Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra) who has finished the past two seasons as the vice-world champion. Will this year be the year that Kiri goes one better?

PWA: Where did you spend your winter training?

KT: 'I spent the whole winter at home in Bonaire, not just training freestyle but also slalom.'

PWA: Have you been landing any new moves / combos?

KT: ‘I’ve been landing a lot of combos, but I think my best and most difficult so far has been spock into Kabikuchi and also spock into air bob into culo! Hopefully I will be able to land some of them in my heats, depending on the conditions.'
PWA: Which equipment will you be using?

KT: 'My 2013 Flares combined with my 2014 Gaastra Pures.'

PWA: Thanks Kiri and good luck tomorrow.

Tomorrow will see the single eliminations begin and with a forecast that is similar to today’s we should be set for an incredible day of freestyle at its finest. The skippers’ meeting has been called for 10am with the action commencing from 10:30am.

For more information on all the entrants, and to keep up to date with every piece of the action, check out the PWA World Tour website.