PWA Tenerife world cup - Wave sailors are armed and ready

by PWA Information on 2 Aug 2013 From the third to the ninth of August the elite of the wave sailing world shall be descending upon the beautiful shores of El Medano, Tenerife. This year will see the event returning for the third year in a row and with the current forecast on offer, it looks as though the week ahead will truly be a spectacle to behold.

Situated on the Southeast coast of Tenerife, El Medano is located only a few kilometers away from the South airport making it a highly accessible, but more importantly, world-class location. El Medano has become synonymous with windsurfers all over the world thanks to its stunning golden sand beaches, reliable trade winds and of course its pumping waves, which the pros will be looking to use to their full effect as they launch themselves into the most radical stunts on the planet, in order to win the adulation of the judges.

Seven days of intense, nail biting wave sailing as the most extreme sailors in the world go head-to-head in the battle for those crucial world tour points. After no result was obtained in the first event of the year there’s still everything to play for, the cream of the crop of wave sailors will be coming out with all guns blazing to stamp their authority over the top of the rankings, in what is sure to be a fiercely contested battle.

Although no official result was gained in Pozo, reigning world champion - Philip Koster (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins) - still proved that he is without doubt the man to beat after winning the super session. The wonderkid will be feeling confident ahead of the event given the fact that he has won in Tenerife for the past two years. Expect to see him flying through his trademark ankle dry double forwards, pushloop forwards and who knows if we’re lucky perhaps we’ll see him also pulling the trigger for the much talked about triple.

With his extra local knowledge and guile - Alex Mussolini (Tabou / Gaastra) - will be looking to go one better than last year, when he finished in second place. The Spaniard out scored Koster on the wave in the double elimination winners’ final in 2012, so if he can find a couple of big jumps to match, Mussolini could well find himself at the top of the podium. Expect to see silky smooth wave rides combined with staggering frontside wave 360s and takas galore as he looks to make a strong start to the season.

As one of the best wave riders and jumpers in the world - Victor Fernandez (Fanatic / North) - is a man who holds all the weapons necessary to challenge for top honors. As the 2010 PWA Wave World Champion, Fernandez knows how to win, and having finished third here last year he’ll be hoping his perfect double forwards combined with his repertoire of wave tricks will see him perform even better this year.

Ricardo Campello (JP / NeilPryde / MFC) has built the reputation throughout the world as one of the most gifted and radical jumpers in the world, so much so that he is one of the few sailors on the planet that can go jump-for-jump with Koster, which makes him a massive threat for the week ahead. The former three time freestyle world champion as come agonizingly close to supremacy in the waves in the past few years, and he’ll be hungrier than ever to show exactly what he can do.

Indications from the Pozo super session show that Marcilio ‘Brawzinho’ Browne (Goya Windsurfing / MFC) has once again upped his already incredible level and is a serious contender over the next seven days. The Brazilian holds all the latest jumps in his armory and he’ll be hoping to unleash huge air takas and backside wave 360s to make the judges sit up and take notice, as he looks to head to the top of the crop.

As the event organizer and local boy - Dany Bruch (Starboard / Severne / AL360) - will be hoping to use all of his local knowledge to his advantage. Bruch is considered one of the best wave riders in the world thanks to his super smooth style on the wave and he’ll be looking to combine this with double forwards and monumental one-handed, one-footed backloops.

As the last man to beat Koster - Thomas Traversa (Tabou / Gaastra) - knows exactly what it takes to beat the reigning world champion. With slightly less emphasis on jumping in Tenerife - than Pozo - the Frenchman will be hoping to use this as an advantage. Expect to see almost unrivaled wave riding and rocket-propelled backloops as Traversa sets his sights ever higher.

As the reigning world champion and winner of the event in 2012 - Iballa Ruano Moreno (Starboard / Severne) - will enter the event as a slight favorite over her sister - Daida Ruano Moreno (Starboard / Severne). Last year Iballa was able to pull some of the biggest moves we’ve ever seen such as goiters and frontside wave 360s, which could very well prove to be the difference again. However, Daida has already shown she’s hungry to regain her overall crown as the Queen of windsurfing with her victory in Pozo during the super session. Expect to see another titanic clash between the iconic Moreno Twins over the duration of the week.

With multiple world titles to her name and as last years third place finisher Karin Jaggi (Patrik / Severne) represents the biggest threat to the Moreno twins. The Swiss gem will be launching herself into perfect backloops and powerful, fluid turns to try and force her way into the top two and beyond.

Steffi Wahl (Patrik / Sailloft Hamburg) will be another name threatening the podium over the next seven days. The German caught the eye of both the judges and the crowds last year with her fluid style on the wave, if Wahl can find a couple of big jumps at critical moments then she could very well find herself on the prestigious podium by the end of the event.

Returning to competitive action Nayra Alonso (Fanatic / Severne) will be hoping to announce her return with a bang. The Spaniard was absent in 2012 after embarking on the challenge of motherhood for the first time, however in 2011 Alonso finished in third place overall, so she represents a real threat to the podium positions.

With currently twenty women signed up for the event in Tenerife the week promises to be one of most fiercely contested wave events over the last few year’s. It’s going to be interesting to see if any upsets unfold as the women look to thrive under the competitive PWA website