PWA Netherlands World Cup - Thode emerges victorious

by Chris Yates on 13 Sep 2013 On day five of the DAM7 PWA Netherlands World Cup, the men’s double elimination was completed as a brief period of wind swept through Brouwersdam in the afternoon. Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra) successfully defended his single elimination victory to clinch his first event victory since the 2011 Vietnam event ahead of Steven van Broeckhoven (JP / NeilPryde / Different). In the meantime Arrianne Aukes (RRD / Simmer / Maui Ultra Fins) fought back to book her place in the women’s double elimination winners’ final where she will face Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic / Chris Benz / Maui Ultra Fins).

Steven van Broeckhoven fought back to defeat Tonky Frans (Tabou / Gaastra) in the battle for third place as he secured his place in the winners’ final against Kiri Thode. With difficult conditions - light and patchy winds - both sailors reached for their bigger equipment with van Broeckhoven on his 5.4. Despite the light conditions both sailors were able to pull some fantastic moves in a fiercely, and tightly fought, battle.

The Belgian maestro opened with an explosive air funnel into funnel, whilst Thode launched into a high burner. van Broeckhoven then upped the technical difficulty with a sublime shuvit spock diablo and a brilliant air flaka into shaka.

However Thode fought back as he somehow stomped a culo in almost no wind, a stylish bob and a one-handed air funnel into funnel of his own too. After much deliberation and an agonizing work it was eventually announced that Thode had won by way of a 3:2 decision in his favor, such was the closeness of the two sailors.

Kiri Speaks after clinching victory: 'For sure the wind was pretty light for both of us. I was struggling at times in the middle of the heat but I just tried my best to pop as high as I can. I just tried to stay focused and do whatever I could do to win. I think Steven [van Broeckhoven] sailed a great heat too. I don’t know what it is but every time it’s the first time an event is held I seem to win, just like in Vietnam in 2011. For sure I’m really, really happy!'

Arrianne Aukes held her nerve to firstly defeat Olya Raskina (JP / NeilPryde) in heat 49 before winning against Yoli de Brendt (Fanatic / North) to successfully climb back into second place at a minimum in the double elimination. Aukes sailed well as she linked together a combination of smooth spocks, e-sliders and brilliant switch konos to setup another duel with Sarah-Quita Offringa in the winners’ final.

The winners’ final was started but light winds soon resulted in the cancellation of the heat, meaning that both women will have to wait until tomorrow to decide who comes out on top.

The second and third qualifying round of the EFPT tow-in contest were also held in the evening. Advancing from heat two are Bjorn Saragoza (Starboard / Hot Sails Maui), Max Matissek (Fanatic / North) and Adam Sims (Patrik / Sailloft Hamburg). Saragoza and Matissek both landed brilliant flaka shakas whilst Sims mixed it up with a superb double spock.

Meanwhile, advancing from heat three are Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic / North), Adrien Bosson (Fanatic / North / Maui Ultra Fins), Kiri Thode. Gollito landed a superb funnel into burner, whilst Bosson went huge with a burner 360 followed by Thode stomping a massive burner.

The forecast shows more wind for tomorrow meaning that we should see the conclusion of the women’s double elimination at a minimum. The skippers’ meeting has been called for 09:30am tomorrow morning with a first possible start at 10pm.

Results After Double Elimination - Men’s Freestyle

1st Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra)
2nd Steven van Broeckhoven (JP / NeilPryde / Different)
3rd Tonky Frans (Tabou / Gaastra)
4th Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic / North)
5th Youp Schmit (JP / NeilPryde)

Results as the Double Elimination Currently Stands - Women’s Freestyle*

1st Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic / Chris Benz / Maui Ultra Fins)
2nd Arrianne Aukes (RRD / Simmer / Maui Ultra Fins)
3rd Yoli de Brendt (Fanatic / North)
4th Olya Raskina (JP / NeilPryde)
5th Oda Johannes Brodholt (Maui Ultra Fins)

*Please note these results may PWA World DAM7 event site