PWA Pozo World Cup - Next generation takes centre stage on day 1

by Chris Yates on 15 Jul 2014 Day one of the 2014 PWA Gran Canaria Wind and Waves Festival saw the next generation of windsurfers take centre stage, after the pros initially registered for the upcoming competition between 10am and 11am this morning.

With the water state remaining relatively flat the youth’s did brilliantly to make the most of the conditions on offer as several of them shone. The junior’s contest was run as two, five man semifinals with the top two from each heat advancing into the final. In the end fourteen year old Noah Vocker (Fanatic / North) and thirteen year old Niklas Herrera Hatissen (Goya Windsurfing) advanced from the first heat, before Arthur Arutkin (Fanatic / North) and Alexandre Grand-Guillot (North) also booked their place in the final.

In the junior’s final it was seventeen year old Arthur Arutkin, who really stepped up the level to claim victory. The young Frenchman rotated through a clean forward before sticking a perfect backloop as well as linking together a solid wave. Just behind him was Noah Vocker and Alexandre-Guillot, who finished in second and third place respectively, with Niklas Herrera Hattisen claiming fourth.

Throughout the day we caught up with a few sailors to see what they’ve been up to, as well as discussing the infamous triple loop:

Philip Köster (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) discusses the triple loop: 'Yeah, I’ve been trying triple loops again now. I think I last went for it about a month ago, just testing it out a bit more and stuff - it was alright, but I didn’t want to try them much more before the contest as I didn’t want to be injured for the first event of the year.'

Thomas Traversa (Tabou / GA Sails) on his preparation for the opening event of the year: 'There really hasn’t been much wind back home for the whole of spring and the start of summer. I think over the last six weeks to two months we’ve only had one good day at home, so I haven’t had much sailing. I think that could sort of work out quite well as I’m feeling really motivated to go sailing now, no matter what conditions we get.'

Sarah Bibby (Simmer) who is making her first appearance on the PWA World Tour since 2011: 'I’ve been out here about a month. We’ve had some good sailing with quite a few waves and a lot of wind. I’ve gotten very used to my 3.0m, but it’s been fun and I’m ready for the competition to begin now.'

With the wind continuing to howl the sailors were kept on hold until 5pm, but with the waves failing to pick up they were released for the day at this point. This means that the final places in the men’s draw are still to be decided and those four critical heats will be the priority tomorrow.

The forecast for tomorrow is much the same as today. With the tide on the push today there were more in the way of waves and ramps, so hopefully tomorrow will produce at least a small window of opportunity to gain a result from the trials. The skippers’ meeting has been called for 9:30am tomorrow morning with the action commencing from 10am.

Results Junior’s Contest:
1st Arthur Arutkin (Fanatic / North)
2nd Noah Vocker (Fanatic / North)
3rd Alexandre Grand-Guillot (North)
4th Niklas Herrera Hattisen (Goya PWA World Tour