35th Gran Canaria Windsurf World Cup Pozo Izquierdo - Day 7
by Gran Canaria Windsurf World Cup 9 Jul 2023 10:52 AEST
1-9 July 2023
Marino Gil (ESP) vs Marcilio Browne (BRA) durante la eliminatoria simple - 35th Gran Canaria Windsurf World Cup Pozo Izquierdo © Gran Canaria Windsurf World Cup
Pozo Izquierdo saves the last day of competition among the world's best for this Sunday, with the men's and women's double elimination in Waves, where the definitive champions of the Gran Canaria Windsurf World Cup 2023 in this discipline will be determined.
So far, local rider Daida Ruano from Pozo Izquierdo leads the women's division, and Brazilian rider Marcilio Browne leads the men's division after winning the single eliminations. "To ensure a show with the world's best on the final day, we advanced several heats of the men's qualifiers today," said Luis Escribano, the head judge of the competition.
If the double elimination takes place, local favorite Marino Gil would have a second chance to take the Waves title from three-time world champion Marcilio Browne, who currently leads. Another windsurfer who could change the results is Venezuelan rider Ricardo Campello, the current world leader and provisional third place in Pozo Izquierdo. Additionally, Catalan rider Marc Paré showed that he deserves a place on the podium, so the rider known as the "prince of waves" could secure a spot in the Waves podium by advancing from fourth place in the double elimination.
In the women's category, if the double elimination is held, Pozo Izquierdo could witness the exciting showdown between the queen of Pozo, Daida Ruano, and her eternal rival, Aruban rider Sarah-Quita Offringa. During the previous edition of the World Cup, Pozo Izquierdo witnessed an unparalleled final between the Moreno Twins that thrilled the crowds, a matchup that will not be possible this year due to Iballa Ruano's recent injury.
Nevertheless, the double elimination would allow the twenty-time world champion, Sarah-Quita Offringa, to challenge Daida again, who already has 21 victories at home. "It's one of the most exciting finals that everyone comes to see in Pozo, so we hope to experience it again before the end of the World Cup," said Willy Rocha, wave judge of the competition.
Liam Dunkerbeck Retains the Sub-20 Men's Crown
During Saturday's session, Pozo Izquierdo once again put the male sub-20 riders to the test with the double elimination, giving them a second chance to challenge the provisional podium winners from Friday. Greek rider Lennart Neubauer seized this opportunity and took the second place on the podium from Danish rider Tobias Bjornaa, earning the right to challenge Gran Canaria's Liam Dunkerbeck for the title, but without success. "I'm happy to maintain my position and not have to sail twice. I'm already focused on the next championship," confessed Dunkerbeck.
During the small final between Dunkerbeck and Neubauer, the local rider was determined to defend his class title, and he demonstrated it from the start, finding ramps even with minimal waves and challenging conditions. "The conditions during the final were the most difficult of the morning, quite unstable to secure two good jumps and the best surf ride," exclaimed Ben Proffitt, the official PWA commentator.
Nevertheless, Dunkerbeck did it again, performing a one-foot backloop, giving him an advantage in jumps, followed by a double tack, surpassing Neubauer in surf rides. "You have to do something special if you're up against Dunkerbeck," they commented on the live stream. Ultimately, Dunkerbeck easily secured victory despite the conditions.
The PWA Windsurfing World Championship is sponsored by the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, through the Sports and Tourism departments; the Tourism Department of the Government of the Canary Islands; the City Council of Santa Lucía de Tirajana; as well as private companies such as Red Bull, Windsurf Journal, DailyDose.de, Jaklar, Poema del Mar, Loro Parque Foundation, Seven Island Film, Surf Magazine, Volkswagen, WS, WIND, SURF, Waterspeed, AS Acción, among others.