The waiting is nearly over! The PWA wave tour is all set to begin a new season in Vargas,
Gran Canaria. Commencing on the 8th of April the worlds elite wave sailors from
both men’s and woman’s divisions will battle it out in the wild winds of Gran
Canaria for the 65,000 Euro prize purse. The prevailing wind conditions could
be anything from 20-50 knots cross onshore, perfect for huge jumps and creative
wave riding. Visitors to the Gran Canaria event will be amazed by what are unquestionably
the most explosive displays anywhere on the tou – 40 foot high stalled forwards
are not uncommon and it is likely that several sailors will be attempting windsurfing’s
most dangerous stunt; the double forward.

Home to the Dunkerbeck family, Gran Canaria has been the breeding ground for
some of the most high profile wave sailors in the world: The "Big Man"
himself; Bjorn, Vidar Jensen, Jonas Cabellos, Marcos Perez and the incredible
Moreno sisters, Daida and Iballa. Gran Canaria is now established as one of
the most distinguished windsurfing communities outside of Maui.

At last years Vargas event the men’s single elimination came down to the wire
with Norwegian jumping specialist Vidar Jensen (North) winning a sensational
final late in the day against his best friend Bjorn Dunkerbeck (Proof, Neil
Pryde). The season proved to be thrilling and concluded when Dunkerbeck took
his revenge in Brandon Bay, Ireland by snatching the overall wave title after
taking second place behind Aussie wave guru Jason Polakow (JP, Neil Pryde).

Polakow will no doubt be a force to watch out for this season. Finishing last
year with back-to-back victories in Sylt and Vargas, it seems the ex World wave
champ is sailing better than ever and has regained his hunger for the title.
Other challengers who are tipped to be in the top positions in Vargas include
Francisco Goya (Arrows, Fanatic), Nik Baker (Mistral, North) Kevin Pritchard
(Bic, Gaastra), Scotty McKercher (Starboard/Naish) and Peter Volwater (F2, Arrows).

This season’s woman’s fleet is looking stronger than ever with a full field
entered for Vargas. Daida Moreno (Mistral North) the 2001 overall wave champion
has been training hard during the winter break and is all set to take defend
her title. She will be facing tough opposition however in the shape of Karin
Jaggi (F2, Arrows) Collette Guadagnino (JP, Pryde) and of course her twin sister
Iballa Moreno (Mistral North). Last years Vargas event finished with a head
to head between the Moreno sisters. Daida clinched victory after landing a back
loop in the closing seconds of the heat, Iballa won’t have forgotten and will
certainly be out for revenge this year.

This event is the first to be featured in the new PWA World Tour TV series
being produced and distributed internationally by Sportshows TV, the PWA’s new
media partners.

The PWA world tour is back for 2002, the stage is set in Vargas – the sailors
have been training and are all ready. Bring on the action!