PWA Bonaire World Cup – Day 4, the most radical yet

by Chris Yates on 25 Jun 2014 With the wind howling right from the word go for the third day in a row at the PWA Bonaire World Cup, the second single eliminations began promptly at 9:30am. However, the action which followed was like nothing we’ve ever experienced before as the sailors took freestyle to a totally different level.

There were several standout performances today, but as always there can only be one winner. Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic / North / MFC) achieved his first elimination victory this year with a fantastic display, as Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Mystic / Chris Benz / Maui Ultra Fins) continued to prove unbeatable with her third victory in as many eliminations, after a dominant display of sailing.

For the first time this week Kiri Thode (Starboard / GA Sails) was absent from the winners’ final after a heroic performance from fellow Bonairean Amado Vrieswijk (Starboard / Severne), who qualified for his first ever winners’ final. Heat 23b proved to be one, if not the heat of the day, with both sailors absolutely on fire throughout. Vrieswijk set the tone right from the start as he exploded into a spectacular air kabikuchi - the first one to be landed in competition - before also landing a flawless kabikuchi on the opposite tack and a massive air bob. With just moments left to go Vrieswijk powered inside and unleashed a phenomenal double culo, which proved critical as it was soon revealed that he had successful defeated the reigning world champion Kiri Thode, who himself landed an incredible array of moves such as a monster shaka into triple flaka, trademark air bobs, a crazy air bob into culo and a super quick kabikuchi, such was the unbelievable level and battle that unfolded.

Waiting for Amado Vrieswijk in the final was five-time PWA Freestyle World Champion Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo, who was also appearing in his first final of the week. Eighteen year old Vrieswijk made the stronger start to the final as he exploded into a perfect culo, one-handed burner and a brilliant air bob into culo, however it wasn’t long until Gollito unleashed his biggest weapons too. Firstly by flying through a big burner into funnel before also landing superb skopus on both tacks and the best of the bunch a double culo. Vrieswijk responded with another flawless Kabikuchi, but unfortunately for the young Bonairean he couldn’t find the kabikuchi or double culo again on starboard tack, which helped defeat Kiri Thode in the previous heat. It was shortly revealed that Gollito had reigned supreme on this occasion as he celebrated his first victory of the year. Today still represents a day Vrieswijk will never forgot as he broke into not only the top four the first time, but also the top two.

After being defeated by his prodigy - Amado Vrieswijk - Kiri Thode was a man on a serious mission in the losers’ final against Tonky Frans (Tabou / GA Sails). The reigning world champion left nothing to chance in heat 24 with a truly outstanding display of sailing. On his way to securing third place Thode landed an amazing air kono and a monstrous air bob into culo. The Bonairean wasn’t done with the killer combos here either as he continued to rip with a perfect spock into kono, grubby into ponch and an outstanding air funnel into burner. Frans stomped several superb moves of his own such as monster culos into spocks and big air bobs, but Thode was in no mood to be beaten twice in one day.

Elsewhere in the second single elimination Jeremy Pluss (Tabou / GA Sails) earned his biggest scalp to date as he defeated Davy Scheffers (Tabou / GA Sails), before pushing Anthony Ruenes (Tabou / GA Sails) all the way in the quarterfinals by exploding into kabikuchis and planing culos. However, the Frenchman was just a little too strong this time around as he went onto claim joint fifth by stomping kabikuchis of his own and a trademark flaka into shaka.

Right from the opening heat the level on the water today was sensational as Andy ‘Bubble’ Chambers (JP / NeilPryde) defeated Cheo Diaz by way of a 2-1 decision in the first close call of the day. Antoine Albert (Tabou / GA Sails) showed plenty of innovation as he combined a flaka into forward loop to progress into the second round.

Arrianne Aukes (RRD / Simmer / Maui Ultra Fins) exacted revenge over Maikke Huvermann (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) for yesterday’s defeat, as the PWA Vice-World Champion successfully navigated her way into the winners’ final.

The familiar figure of Sarah-Quita Offringa was once again waiting in the final for Arrianne Aukes as the duo prepared for their second battle of the week. Offringa had been at her brilliant best prior to the final and the lady from Aruba continued to excel against the Dutch lady. To open her account Offringa launched herself into a shaka flaka and a text-book switch chachoo. As the heat progressed the six-time PWA Freestyle World Champion proceeded to dominate by landing a regular kono and a brilliant burner. Aukes tried to reply with a smooth puneta, spock and stylish double flaka, before pulling out all the stops with a culo attempt. However, she was powerless from stopping Offringa claiming another hugely impressive victory.

Oda Johanne (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) also enjoyed her best day to date on the PWA Freestyle World Tour as she claimed her first ever top three result. In the losers’ final Johanne was able to defeat Maikke Huvermann as the Norwegian pulled out all the stops. The twenty-five year old stomped her full repertoire of tricks to prevail, from superb shakas to switch konos and a stylish one-handed funnel.

With another brilliant forecast for tomorrow the skippers’ meeting shall be held at 9am again with the action commencing from 9:30am, on what promises to be an epic final day.

Results After Men’s Single Elimination II - Freestyle
1st Kiri Thode (Starboard / GA Sails)
2nd Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic / North / MFC)
3rd Amado Vrieswijk (Starboard / Severne)
4th Tonky Frans (Tabou / GA Sails)
5th Steven Van Broeckhoven (JP / NeilPryde)
6th Youp Schmit (JP / Avanti)
7th Dieter van der Eyken (Starboard / Severne)
8th Anthony Ruenes (Tabou / GA Sails)

Results after Women’s Single Elimination II- Freestyle
1st Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Mystic / Chris Benz / Maui Ultra Fins)
2nd Arrianne Aukes (RRD / Simmer / Maui Ultra Fins)
3rd Maikke Huvermann (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins)
4th Oda Johanne (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins)
5th Yoli de Brendt (Fanatic / North)
6th Olya Raskina (JP / NeilPryde) PWA World Tour