Please select your home edition
Edition
V-DRY-X

Gollito, an ultimate competitor after conquering Sylt's stormy seas

by World Sailing on 5 Oct 2017
Gollito Estredo bails out after victory in PWA Grand Slam, in Sylt - Germany. Carter/pwaworldtour.com http://www.pwaworldtour.com/
The majority of the usual suspects navigated their way into the latter stages of the elimination with three of the top four sailors from Fuerte claiming the podium positions in the single elimination - Gollito Estredo, Amado Vrieswijk and Jacopo Testa.

Day five of the Mercedes-Benz Sylt PWA Super Grand Slam saw the mettle of the freestyler sailors tested to the limit as they competed in some of the toughest freestyle conditions seen for many seasons.

With bolt onshore wind, walls of whitewater everywhere and a strong side shore rip which was more like a river, many sailors struggled to even make it out for their heats, but the majority of the usual suspects still navigated their way into the latter stages of the elimination with three of the top four sailors from Fuerte claiming the podium positions in the single elimination - Gollito Estredo, Amado Vrieswijk and Jacopo Testa.

Freestyle - Single Elimination

Seven-time PWA Freestyle World Champion - Jose 'Gollito' Estredo - came into the final freestyle event of the year leading the rankings and the Venezuelan edged ever closer to an eighth world title after claiming a hard fought victory against Amado Vrieswijk.

Gollito showed himself to be the ultimate competitor again today as he produced his highest scoring heat in the final to earn 128.3 points with an air kabikuchi and a stunning shifty being his standout manoeuvres.

With a rain squall causing the wind to pick up in the final Vrieswijk was overpowered on his 4.8m and couldn't quite replicate the outstanding performance he produced in the semifinal against Antoine Albert in which he recorded the highest scoring heat of the day 136 points as he landed a trademark double air culo.

The Bonairean had generally looked in dominant form today, but he did face a major scare against Tonky Frans with Frans producing a jumping masterclass and in the end, Vrieswijk just scraped through by just 0.7 of a point from Heat 18b.

Jacopo Testa built upon his result from Fuerte where he finished fourth - his best result yet on the world tour- by securing the final place on the podium - showing that he is developing into one of the most dangerous freestyle sailors on the planet no matter the conditions.

The Italian made the conditions today look relatively easy, where others struggled so badly and he'll now aim to defend his place on the podium, which would also see him break into overall top three for the first time in his career.

Antoine Albert may have just missed out in the battle for third but the New Caledonian will still be delighted with his efforts today after breaking into the top four for the first time in his career with an inspired display, which means he is guaranteed his best result ever on the world tour as he can now finish in fifth place at worse.

The 23-year-old caused an upset as he took down current world No. three Yentel Caers in the third round before also dispatching of Balz Müller to move into the semifinals.

Elsewhere in the single elimination France's Sam Esteve and Italy's Mattia Fabrizi both advanced into the top five for the first time in their careers.

Esteve faced former world champion Kiri Thode in the second round, but with the Bonairean failing to make it out the 19-year-old advanced before claiming the scalp of Philip Soltysiak, but he couldn't find a way past Vrieswijk in the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, Fabrizi first dispatched of Loick Spicher before causing one of the biggest upsets of the day as he defeated Steven Van Broeckhoven, but unfortunately the 25-year-old then snapped his mast in the opening minutes of his quarterfinal against Gollito to end his chances of causing any further upsets.

Also finishing in joint fifth for the single are Balz Müller and Adrien Bosson.

After a short break, the double elimination resumed and things looked a little easier from the beach with the angle slightly improving and the wind increasing.

Thomas Traversa defeated Tony Mõttus in the single elimination before being a little unlucky to meet Gollito in Heat 16b - especially as he'd have easily progressed from Heat 16a with Julien Mas progressing with just a landed flaka - with himself and Giovanni Passani having a nightmare getting out.

Traversa then received a bye into the next round with Tilo Eber not present - however, TT still produce an amazing eagle wing - but then chose to withdraw from the contest after slightly injuring himself to save himself for his main focus - the waves. While Passani successfully made it out in the double elimination to defeat Adam Sims and moved directly into the third round with Traversa withdrawing.

Elsewhere, Loick Spicher, Francesco Cappuzzo, Nic Hibdige, Youp Schmit, Max Rowe, Davy Scheffers and Riccardo Marca all progressed through the opening two rounds.

Meanwhile, Kiri Thode's day went from bad to worse as the former world champion was knocked out in the first round of the double by Jeremy Plüss, while Venezuela's Deivis Paternina Teran also suffered the same fate at the hands of Max Matissek.

Paternina landed a sick air shuvit spock, but didn't complete a single move on starboard tack. In Heat 34b Marco Lufen also failed to land a move on starboard tack, which is perhaps a testament to just how testing the conditions were.

Result Men's Freestyle Mercedes-Benz PWA Super Grand Slam - Single Elimination:

1st Jose 'Gollito' Estredo (Fanatic / NorthSails)
2nd Amado Vrieswijk (JP / Severne)
3rd Jacopo Testa (RRD / RRD Sails / AL360)
4th Antoine Albert (Goya Windsurfing)
5th Sam Esteve (JP / NeilPryde)
5th Balz Müller (Patrik / Severne)
5th Mattia Fabrizi (Patrik / Sailloft Hamburg)
5th Adrien Bosson (Fanatic / NorthSails / Maui Ultra Fins)
9th Yentel Caers (JP / Point-7)
9th Julien Mas (JP / Gun Sails)
9th Steven Van Broeckhoven (JP / Neilpryde / Shamal Sunglasses)
9th Philip Soltysiak (Starboard / Sailworks)
9th Antony Ruenes (Tabou / GA Sails)
9th Yegor Popretinskiy (Fanatic / NorthSails / Maui Ultra Fins / Flymount)
9th Tonky Frans (RRD / RRD Sails)
9th Nicolas Akgazciyan (99NoveNove / Challenger Sails / Maui Ultra Fins)

Result Women's Wave Mercedes-Benz PWA Super Grand Slam - Single Elimination

1st Iballa Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins)
2nd Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins)
3rd Daida Moreno (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins)
4th Lina Erpenstein (Patrik / Severne)
5th Caroline Weber (Patrik / Sailloft Hamburg / Maui Ultra Fins)
5th Steffi Wahl (Patrik / Sailloft Hamburg)
5th Justyna Sniady (Simmer / Simmer Sails / Mystic)
5th Caterina Stenta (RRD / RRD Sails / Maui Ultra Fins)

Current Ranking Mercedes-Benz Sylt PWA Super Grand Slam - Men's Slalom

*After 2 Eliminations

1st Marco Lang (Fanatic / NorthSails)
2nd Vincent Langer (Fanatic /NorthSails)
3rd Ross Williams (Tabou / GA Sails / Mystic / Shamal Sunglasses)
4th Arnon Dagan (RRD / NeilPryde)
5th Pascal Toselli (99NoveNove /LoftSails / Chopper Fins)
6th Jordy Vonk (Fanatic / NorthSails)
7th Cedric Bordes (Tabou / GA Sails)
8th Julien Quentel (Patrik / Avanti)
9th Enrico Marotti (RRD /NeilPryde)
10th Antoine Albeau (RRD / NeilPryde)
X-Yachts X4.0V-DRY-XMaritimo M50

Related Articles

Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championship preview
This year's regatta will be the largest of its kind ever hosted in Tallinn Tallinna Yacht Club brings one of the biggest sports events of the summer to Haven Kakumäe - 300 young sailors expected at the Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championship, plus just as many supporters on shore!
Posted today at 3:00 pm
18th Puig Vela Clàssica Barcelona day 1
Opening victories and nautical splendor This week, Barcelona once again takes center stage in the world of classic sailing as the 18th edition of the Puig Vela Clàssica gets under way. The opening day delivered ideal conditions for a spectacular display on the water.
Posted today at 12:28 pm
Rolex Fastnet Race: IRC Two Preview
With 73 entries in IRC Two, the Rolex Fastnet Race is set to deliver a striking display. Could two new JPK 1050s upset the apple cart in IRC Two? Jean-Pierre Kelbert has a habit of breaking the mould in IRC racing, and his new 34-footer may well be a game changer in this competitive division with 73 entries.
Posted today at 10:36 am
The Long Laser Lunch – a reunion to remember
Sailors from every state reunited over lunch like it was just another regatta weekend. Last month 93 Laser sailors from across the country gathered at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club for what became a truly unforgettable reunion.
Posted today at 10:19 am
Offshore at 16
Will Farnell, the ORCV's Youth Sailor of the Year 2025 The ORCV is proud to announce Will Farnell as the recipient of the 2025 Youth Sailor of the Year award—a young sailor whose love for the sea runs generations deep and whose commitment to the sport has already made waves far beyond his years.
Posted today at 8:52 am
Seldén Rodkicker 50 - manual rigid vang
Specifically sized for yachts between 50 and 55 feet A Rodkicker rigid vang is designed to enhance sail handling during reefing and allows for greater sail trim control.
Posted today at 8:00 am
WASZP Games 2025: Talent & fun descend on Weymouth
Poised to be the largest and most competitive in the class's history The 2025 International WASZP Games, set to take place from July 19–25 at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, are poised to be the largest and most competitive in the class's history.
Posted today at 7:23 am
Queensland Yachting Survey 2025 Feedback
The results are in, gathering valuable insights directly from the sailing community Following this year's Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race, a group of passionate and experienced individuals from the sailing community gathered to discuss the current state of yachting in Queensland.
Posted today at 5:18 am
Transpac 2025 Update: Moon River Tonight!
The magic of offshore racing in the 2025 Transpac A vast ocean separates Los Angeles, California, from Honolulu, Hawaii, but the boats racing in this year's Transpac have now crossed the halfway mark. Race leaders are in the tradewinds and making their approach to the Aloha State.
Posted today at 12:26 am
All smiles among first finishers of the AEGEAN 600
The fastest teams crossed the finish line today at Cape Sounion As the fastest teams crossed the finish line today at Cape Sounion and made their way to the harbour at Olympic Marine, there were exhausted smiles all around.
Posted on 10 Jul