PWA Fuerteventura World Cup - Men's double elimination begins on day 3

by Chris Yates on 23 Jul 2013 Day three of the 2013 PWA Fuerteventura World Cup appeared as though it may be a frustrating affair as gusty winds plagued the event for much of the day, however at 4pm the wind filled in allowing the men’s double elimination to begin. After almost three hours of competing, the opening two and a half rounds were completed and we’ll now have to wait until tomorrow to see the conclusion of both the men’s and women’s doubles.

The opening round of the men’s double elimination saw some big names involved, such as Davy Scheffers (Tabou / Gaastra), Adrian Beholz (Fanatic / Sailloft Hamburg / Maui Ultra Fins), Bjorn Saragoza (Starboard / Hot Sails Maui), Yegor Popretinskiy (Maui Ultra Fins) and Yarden Meir (Loft Sails / Maui Ultra Fins) - as they looked to fight their way back up the ladder. Thankfully for them they all survived the opening round unscathed, but the next round would be the end of the road for several of them as the sailors went head-to-head in round two.

First off Yarden Meir took down Davy Scheffers in heat thirty-five with a terrific display. The Israeli maestro landed clean burners and a brilliant air flaka into flaka to book his place in the third round, before Bjorn Saragoza advanced beyond Yegor Popretinskiy in heat thirty-seven. The Bonairean produced a solid heat, which also featured the move of the day - a perfectly executed pasko - to end the Russian’s hopes.

After his close call yesterday Oscar Carmichael (Fanatic / North) enjoyed a fine day in his first ever PWA World Tour event as he claimed his opening victories. The young Brit showed his technical diversity as he landed a textbook bob, a smooth e-slider and a planing shaka to dispatch of Edvan Souza (RRD) in the opening round. The seventeen year old then went onto win the tight battle against Nick Van Ingen (Fanatic / North / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins) in heat thirty-five as he unleashed a great one-handed burner combined with an explosive kono and a big air flaka. Phil Soltysiak (Starboard / Sailworks) proved a step too far this time around though.

Adam Gavriel (Patrik / Sailloft Hamburg / Maui Ultra Fins) showed he’s a real threat today too as he won three successive heats. The Israeli first defeated Deivis Paternina Teran (Hot Sails Maui) before also dispatching of Tony Mottus (JP / NeilPryde) and Andy ‘Bubble’ Chambers (JP / NeilPryde). On his way to victory Gavriel landed some massive forward loops, powerful culos and super-smooth shakas, as well as getting agonizingly close to several pasko attempts. The twenty-three-year-old will now face Rick Jendrusch (F2 / Severne / Mystic) when the action resumes tomorrow.

Amado Vrieswijk (Starboard / Severne) delivered the goods in heat forty to end Adrian Beholz’s fight back. The Bonairean sailed a brilliant heat as he landed kabikuchis, skopus, ponches and a culo360 - Vrieswijk will be someone to look out for tomorrow. The b-side of heat forty also saw Max Matissek’s (Fanatic) come back ended as Julien Mas (Patrik / Sailloft Hamburg) proved too strong.

The final heat of the day saw Anthony Ruenes (Tabou / Gaastra) turn on the style as he rotated his way through a superb pasko and a super stylish no-handed flaka to book his place in the next round. Meanwhile, Saragoza unleashed another effortless pasko - among other moves - to defeat Max Rowe (Fanatic / North) and also advance into heat forty-three.

Tomorrow’s forecast offers more wind than today meaning we should be in store for an exciting day on the water. The skippers’ meeting will be held at 10am with the first possible start at 10:30am.