The 2007 Cabo Verde PWA World Cup event Preview

Kick-starting the 2007 season, the PWA proudly visit brand new tour stop Cabo Verde, for a specialist 32-man wavesailing extravaganza, to open the race for the coveted 2007 wavesailing world title.

Mobile status on the Island of Sal allows the judges to choose the most testing conditions possible to determine who’s the best from the cream of the world’s best wave sailors. The holding period runs from February 22nd through March the 4th, which, considering that its peak wind and swell season, should allow the double elimination to be completed in nothing less than the finest conditions!

The republic of Cabo Verde contains a diverse mix of African and Portuguese cultures. The Atlantic archipelago’s crioulo language, cuisine, music and legendary welcome have grown in stature since pioneering windsurf travellers discovered it azure blue jewels at point breaks such as Punta Preta. Since then improved flight connections have made it increasingly accessible, and, from their base in Santa Maria on the island of Sal, the competitors will receive hospitality guaranteed to attract more fun loving wind addicts.

Conditions are mostly starboard tack down the line waveriding, in hollow powerful surf. It’s unlikely that jumps will play any part of the judging criteria, however there will be aerials aplenty as the top names launch an aggressive assault on the heavy lip sections that are sure to result in massive airs!

Leading the charge are favourites Josh Angulo (CV-1), Cabo Verde’s adopted ambassador for windsurfing who’ll proudly represent the republics hopes. Also starring at the top of the bill are 2006 World champion Kevin Pritchard (USA-3 starboard / MauiSails), and Brazilian sensation Kauli Seadi (BRA-253 Quatro / Naish).

With the dust barely settled from the grand finale of 2006 at Ho’okipa, Maui, the main players still have major scores to settle. The top seeds represent a fascinating mix of old-skool experience and power, with names such as Nik Baker (K-66 Mistral / North), Matt Pritchard (US-10 Tabou / Gaastra), and former world champion Scott McKercher, facing new-skool flair and talent from the likes of Victor Fernandez (E-42 fanatic / Simmer) and Marcilio Browne (BRA-105 Mistral / Gaastra).

But there are unknown local wildcard threats too, all highly capable of causing upset, even in the restricted, elite size fleet. Who better to comment than Mr Angulo himself? ‘There are 3 red-hot local sailors here. “Tikik” Edir Lopes (CV-111 Fanatic / North), “Mitu” Oteniel Montiero (CV-0 Fanatic / North), and  “Djo” Jose Nascimenta Silva (CV-11 Fanatic / North). All of these guys know these waves real well. Personally I would put my money on Mitu being the biggest competitive threat – besides myself obviously! He has the potential to hold it together during a heat and knows Ponta Preta as good as anybody… the fact that he surfs, sails and kites this wave daily has made him a master of the line-up. I really think he’ll surprise a few people. Djo and Titik are also fully amped-up. Titik´s solid approach should get him through some heats, and Djo’s showmanship has the potential to go far. So far the surf’s been pumping and the country is fired up for this event!’

Forward thinking and a belief in windsurfing’s potential have convinced Cape Verde Investment to realise this perfect challenge – a sign of the countries progressive surge forward in creativity and development. Windsurfing’s finest athletes are unlikely to disappoint them!

You’ll be able to follow all the progress during the event at www.pwaworldtour.com with live updates, daily news summaries and more.

Or, for more information, please contact the PWA office at [email protected].
 
© PWA / Brian McDowell