Seventeen year old Robby Swift (JP/Pryde) continued his winning ways
today by beating team mate and current Freestyle champion Josh Stone (JP/Pryde)
in a tense final. It took the young English sailor two attempts to claim victory,
but it was a 5-0 decision from the judges that confirmed Robby’s obvious domination
of the event.

Josh Stones march back up through the double elimination ladder was a true
world champions performance. Josh took out the likes of Robert Sand, Ricardo
Campello, Antoine Albeau, Vidar Jensen, Richie Foster and Matt Pritchard. Each
one of these heats could have been a final in itself showing just how high the
standard is on the freestyle circuit. The most notable heat of the day was Josh
against Ricardo Campello (JP/Pryde), the young Venezuelian was blowing
peoples minds with his display of Spock McTwists, Goitas and planing Push Loops.
His hot moves were no match for the World Champion who displayed better contest
experience and pulled out a perfect Ponch right at the end of the heat. So Josh
advanced to the final to meet Robby Swift, as this was a double elimination
Josh would have to beat Robby twice if he was to take the event. Once again
the crowds lined along the beach were treated to the best action of the day,
neither sailor was holding back matching eachother move for move, sometimes
without realizing in complete synchronization. It was Josh though that once
again busted out a monster Ponch landing almost planing to edge the heat on
a split 3/2 decision.

This meant another final and another chance for Robby to reclaim his number
one spot. Having a heat against a world champion does not seem to daunt Robby
though and from the moment the green flag went up it was clear that Robby was
hungry for victory. So what does it take to beat Josh Stone the undisputed king
of freestyle? Try Spocks, One handed Spocks, Spock 540’s, Ponch’s, One handed
Shove Its, Upwind 360’s and Grubby’s, phew!!! Robby did all of the above and
more to prove that he is the best freestyler in the world today and easily beat
Josh with a 5-0 decision from the judges.

It was not just a perfect day for Robby and Josh, Matt Pritchard (AHD/Gaastra)
secured third place and Richie Foster (Fanatic/Naish)was ecstatic about his
fourth place, his best result in a Grand Prix event, Richie probably trains
more than anyone and all his hard work paid of with this result.

Kauli Seadi (Naish) who showed so much form freesailing talent all week
finally settled his nerves and demolished everyone he came up against disposing
of Kevin Pritchard, Rick Feddicke, Dioni Guadagnino and Remko de Weerd. Only
Richie Foster tripped up the Brazilian’s salsa to the top. Kauli had the proud
accolade of having the highest score in one heat, pulling a perfect clew first
one handed spock 540, simply radical stuff.

The Jensen brothers were upholding the Canarian flag at this event. Vidar Jensen
(North) finished the double elimination in fifth place with Orjan Jensen
(Proof/North) coming a respectable ninth. The brothers love port tack
conditions and there was enough ramps today to send the Jensen family into orbit!

The womens double elimination was also completed today and Karin Jaggi (F2/Arrows)
was the Queen of the beach today with a resounding victory over Colette
Guadagnino (JP/Pryde). Karin is pulling of the most technical tricks
like Upwind 360´s, Vulcans, Push Tacks, Forwards and one near perfect
Spock. Colette was very happy with her second place disposing of both of the
Moreno twins on the road to the final, an unusual experience not having at least
one of the twins in the final. The conditions at Sotavento do not seem to be
to the Moreno´s liking, the flat offshore conditions a far cry from the
Nuclear winds of Pozo.

So we will begin day 4 with the start of another round of double elimination
for both the men and women. Will Robby Swift maintain his form from the first
two days or will all the other sailors who show amazing ability freesailing,
raise their game and take out the young Englishman. After todays performance
from Robby they had better have some hot tricks up their sleeve!.