The PWA World Cup Guincho Wave Contest 2007 – Day Two

Aerial wizard Victor Fernandez (Fanatic / Simmer) wraps-up the single elimination with a crucial win over 2005 World Champion, Kauli Seadi (Quatro / Naish) in tricky conditions. Daida Moreno (North) kick-starts her season with a critical victory against arch-rival Karin Jaggi (F2 / North)

Victor contorts himself again

Kauli throws an Air Chacho

All smiles for Daida

15-20 knots and head high onshore waves motivated Head Judge Duncan Coombes to start the quarter-finals of the men’s single elimination and the semi-finals of the women’s.

First up were 22 yr-old Frenchman Thomas Traversa (Tabou / Gaastra) who had to square up to the current world number 2 Kauli Seadi of Brazil. Traversa put up a good fight but Seadi’s range of jumps such as Push Tabletops and Air Chacho’s were enough to see him through.

There was a classic Old guard vs. New Skool match between Boujmaa Guillol (Starboard / Severne) and Josh Angulo of Cabo Verde – the current tour leader. Experience paid for Angulo who won on a 3-0 judge’s verdict in both waves and jumps.

Next up Spanish flyer Victor Fernandez started his climb to the top by edging out compatriot Jonas Ceballos (Fanatic / Simmer) in tough, fluky conditions.

Yesterday’s form player Yann Sorlut (Simmer) tried to gain momentum and build on the day befores success but his progress was halted by Marcilio ‘Brawzinho’ Browne who’s aerial attack sent him through to the semi-finals despite the wave scores being much closer.

In the first semi-final, Seadi and Angulo met in re-match of their Cabo Verde battle, but this time it was Seadi who sailed well enough to go through – although the scores were as close as you can get. Seadi commented: ‘Josh is a great sailor – especially in these conditions. It was hard to ride the waves, and it was super, close but I think I won on my jumps’

Brawzinho had more technical jumps scoring in the second semi heat against Fernandez, but the wave scores were in Fernandez’s favour, the last ride earning the key points along with the overall impression scores of all the judges.

The unpredictable conditions continued for the finals. Victor Fernandez described how he tackled the conditions. ‘I had a good final I think, considering the conditions. I had a 5.6 and a big board – my Newave 84 litre. I tried to keep upwind the whole time to make sure I could bear off for jumps, and I had 2 good waves, and at the end a really good one. I can’t believe I won the single final – it’s my 3rd year here and I never made the podium before – last year I sailed well but didn’t go through, so this year I am really happy to reach the top’

Kauli added his take on the final. ‘Basically the wind was kind of light and I sort of rushed in at the start and went downwind after trying to grab waves – Victor played smart and stayed upwind and got great jumps and the best wave choices up there where the wind was. That’s the way it goes and he sailed great when I struggled further downwind, especially as it was so onshore’

Josh Angulo made no mistake in grabbing third place by beating Browne in the loser’s final.


Women’s’ Single Elimination

The ladies event reached the semi-final stage yesterday. There was a classic Jaggi vs. Daida Moreno final after Swiss legend Jaggi won a high quality encounter against 2006 World Champion Iballa Moreno (North).

On the other side of the draw Junko Nagoshi (F2 / Simmer), a starboard tack specialist and stylish competitor, did not have enough in her arsenal to beat Daida Moreno who was outstanding in the gusty conditions. Daida’s performance earned her a berth in the first final of the women’s wave tour season.

Daida talks us through it: ‘The final was pretty good. Karin and I tried to do our best as the conditions were marginal and onshore. I was on a 5.0 and a 78-litre board. I was confident I did well – also I landed a perfect backloop, and 2 good waves – I also heard she had one perfect wave ride. This result is good for me as each time the results come out I try to celebrate as much as possible as the level is so high now in the girls that I’m not sure how long I can stay on top of the podium’

To take the final here in Guincho is positive…it’s the first event of the year. and, of course it’s not over, but it’s given me confidence and I’m praying for more wind. It’s also nice to start the season well and that my gear and my approach are working as planned. I’m also happy to do well on starboard tack as I’ve sailed nothing but port tack for 6 months!’

Karin spoke of the final from her side of the fence. ‘I was on a 5.0 and the current was strong. We had to re-sail the final as the wind was a little light earlier, but in the final encounter it was real onshore, but I was satisfied with my waveriding. Jumping-wise I was Ok and I knew that would be tough as I had not trained much on this tack, so I think I might have done better on my jump scores’

Iballa Moreno was sure to beat Nagoshi in the losers’ final to secure 3rd overall so far for the event.

There was no wind later in the day to start the double elimination. Skipper’s meeting tomorrow is at 11.00

Don’t miss the chance to follow all of the day’s action using our live event ticker, view our quality photo gallery, read daily news summaries, check the elimination ladders as they’re updated, and more at www.pwaworldtour.com