The 2007 PWA Costa Teguise Grand Slam
The Spanish town of Costa Teguise, on the Canarian Island of Lanzarote, is itching to host its annual PWA World Tour Fiesta.
At the Las Cucharas point, conditions range from light ocean breeze to mast high surf and 40 knots of enforced trade winds.
The explosive action will go-off from June 30th through July 7th
Las Cucharas Point
Gollito in action
Local Boy Antxon
2006 Champ Daida
Disciplines
The location has previously hosted Freestyle and Super-X windsurfing, but in 2007 Costa Teguise welcomes the finest Men’s Slalom Racers for their third event of the year, AND the best Men’s and Women’s Freestyle’s on the planet for their opening event of the season. All 3 fleets will compete for the juicy €75K Prize fund.
Form Guide – Riders to watch out for and why…
Women’s Freestyle
• Daida Moreno (North) – Multiple Champion pushed hard by new talent in 2006. The 2006 Champion is bound to bounce back with a vengeance.
• Sarah-Quita Offringa – (Starboard / NeilPryde) – A 2006 podium finish aged just 15. A fluid, stylish force who’s proving the future is now. Ranked 2nd in 2006 on just her second season on tour.
• Laure Treboux (Naish / Naish) – An example of Swiss precision and another classy performer who’s re-writing the rules in the women’s sport. Ranked 3rd on her debut season in 2006.
Also keep an eye out for…
• Nayra Alonso (Fanatic / Naish) – Fiery Canarian competitor capable of taking down the top seeds
• Silvia Alba Orozco – Red-hot Spanish talent with a powerful approach and relentless competitive lust.
• Junko Nagoshi (F2 / Simmer) – Solid contender with tip-top tactics and professional approach.
• Yoli De Brendt (Fanatic / North) – Full of South American flair and rumoured to have made massive progress in the off-season.
Men’s Freestyle
• Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic / North) – Won his first world title in 2006 aged just 17. Hungry and determined he’ll certainly be the toughest nut to crack.
• Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails) – 2006 Runner-up. Innovative and gifted. The senior Bonaire stylist can learn tricks in minutes and pushes his standard even higher under the pressure of competition sailing.
• Antxon Otaegui (JP / NeilPryde) – A Lanzarote local who’ll be literally in his element here. A relaxed character who’s hyper on the water. This guy is due an event win and has a bag bursting full of tricks.
But never write off…
• Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra) – The youth world champ probably throws-down more tricks per minute than anyone on earth. He’s growing in stature, style and ability by the second and could easily dazzle the judges.
• Tonky Frans (F2 / Gaastra) – Yet another Bonairian intent on displacing the Venezuelan neighbours from their perch. His approach is fast, fluid and furious.
• Ricardo Campello (JP / NeilPryde) – Who could write off a triple world champion? Fell off the pace in 2006 but you’d bet your bottom dollar he won’t let it slip again.
There are no easy heats in Freestyle, but it’s also worth keeping an eye on the form players that rumours say are ripping and turning heads in training…
• Andre Paskowski (F2 / North)
• Jakub Kosmowski (Tabou / Gaastra)
• Norman Gunzlein (JP / NeilPryde)
Men’s Slalom
For the third event of the season the title race is hotting up nicely…
• Antoine Albeau (Starboard / NeilPryde) – The 2006 World Champ, Tour leader, and winner of last event on the mainland has to be the firm favourite.
• Micah Buzianis (JP / NeilPryde) – One can’t help but think that being, 2006 runner-up, second overall in the rankings, and second-best in consecutive events is bubbling-up to boiling point inside this gutsy American. If there’s ever a time for a backlash victory this is probably it.
• Bjorn Dunkerbeck (T1 / North) – One of the most famous windsurfers ever. Missed first event in Korea but scored a useful 3rd in Costa Brava. On form and likely to build momentum this season.
• Kevin Pritchard (Starboard / MauiSails) – Started the season well taking the first event, but threw it away in the Bay of Roses. A wounded animal whose danger cannot be under-estimated.
And, In a fleet that’s wide-open on ability, don’t ever dismiss…
• Cyril Moussilmani (Fanatic / North) – French contender who’s always going to be a major threat and have podium potential.
• Ben Van Der Steen (Exocet / Naish) – Speed’s never an issue with this Dutchman who seems to be gaining consistency and leaving mistakes in the past.
• Steve Allen (Tabou / Gaastra) – Showed form in Costa Brava after missing first event of season, but wasted a chance at podium. A force in racing who’ll no doubt show well here and later in the season.
• Pieter Bijl (Fanatic / NeilPryde) – If he stays focused he can be lethal.
• Jimmy Diaz (F2 / North) – Consistent, measured and composed. If it gets hectic he’ll keep his head and keep mistakes to a minimum.
• Peter Volwater (F2 / North) – Years of experience mean this race-savvy Dutchman is no pushover.
• Finian Maynard (F2 / NeilPryde) – He didn’t break the world speed record by being slow. The heavyweight is also surprisingly competitive in light winds.
• Bernd Flessner (F2 / NeilPryde) – A wily, seasoned racer who’s finding he’s not any slower after a break of a few seasons.
• Florent Renard (JP / NeilPryde) – A face for the future. 2006 Rookie of the year. You’ll be hearing a lot more from this skilled young racer in years to come.
• Patrik Diethelm (F2 / North) – As the shaper of his teams boards he’s always in tune, and definitely a tricky customer to beat.
• Ross Williams (Tabou / Gaastra) – Lanzarote can be fluky and gusty. That might suit Williams and make him worth backing for an upset.
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