The 2006 Colgate PWA World Cup, Sylt Preview
After a short break to recover from the Canarian tour leg, and the Slalom World Cup in Turkey, the PWA fleet’s preparing for one of the biggest events on the calendar at Sylt, Germany. Here on the Island of Westerland it’s traditionally been the all-rounders that excel, as the widest range of conditions continually test the best, with the North Sea beaches regularly serving up a variety of conditions, from flat calm to storm force winds. From September 22nd through October 1st, the regular annual crowds of up to 100,000 are set to show up and see the worlds elite of windsurfing in action, often willing to brave all weathers to meet their heroes. The Nightime schedule is guaranteed to go off as the legendary after-dark scene of Sylt’s hotspots accommodate the riders and spectators for an extravaganza of year-end partying!
The traditional opening ceremony
German crowds
Mevissen and the infamous shorebreak!
This end of season atmosphere has seen some of the greatest rivalries in windsurfing’s history settled, and world titles won or lost. This time round Sylt sees a new discipline, with the finale of the Men’s Freestyle competition to be fought. Throw in the decider of the men’s Slalom 42 tour, and mix in full on wave action as both the men and women’s title races hot up, and you’ve a recipe for the one of most spectacular finishes to a season ever!
The men’s wave tour is currently lead by Kevin Pritchard (USA-3 Starboard / MauiSails), who won the title here back in 2002. He leads big-time threats, Brazilian Kauli Seadi (BRA-253 Quatro / Naish), and Cape Verde representative Josh Angulo ( CV-1), the 2005 and 2003 wave champions respectively. However many say the man to beat is Victor Fernandez (E42 Fanatic / Simmer) who cleaned up at the last event in Pozo.
The women’s wave fleet is led by Daida Moreno (E-64 Mistral / North), followed by her ever-present rivals Karin Jaggi (Z-14 F2 / North), and twin sister Iballa Moreno (E-63, Mistral / North). The odds are spread evenly at this event as the conditions can vary so much, and the famously gnarly shorebreak is the biggest leveller of them all, and has regularly prevented riders from making it out to their heats.
In the Slalom 42 division Antoine Albeau (F-192 Starboard / NeilPryde) has dominated the season so far. His ruthless display has put a lot of distance between himself and Kevin Pritchard in the runner up slot. Lying in third and always a danger is the current world speed record holder, and winner of the last event in Turkey, Finian Maynard (KV-11 F2 / NeilPryde). The battle for the constructors’ titles is also intensifying as the top brands teams vie for podium positions.
The grand finale of the men’s freestyle will see teenage tour leader and hot title favorite Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (V-01 Fanatic / North) take on the most talented set of front-runners ever. 2006 is likely to see a new champion crowned after 3 times world champion Ricardo Campello has surprisingly placed just 6th this season, highlighting exactly how much the standard of performance has shot through the ceiling. Bonaire’s Taty Frans (NB-9 Starboard / MauiSails) is in second place eager to take his first ever title, and Lanzarote’s radical trick master Antxon Otaegui (E-169 JP / NeilPryde) has shown huge ambition and talent, on this just his second year on tour, to go to Germany ranked 3rd.
You can check the full entry list out at www.pwaworldtour.com and follow all the action with live webcasts, results, daily summaries and more.
The event also has its own German language website www.worldcupsylt.de A positive long range forecast could see competition starting immediately after the show opens.
For more information contact the PWA office at [email protected]
© PWA / Brian McDowell
