PWA FREESTYLE KING OF THE CARIBBEAN, DAY 3

Campello Fights Back!

Saturday December 14, 2002
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Ricardo Campello (JP, Neil Pryde) has won the second double elimination
here today at the PWA freestyle finals. The seventeen-year-old Venezuelan
freestyle maestro took victory after defeating local sailor Tonki Frans
(Gaastra, AHD) in the second of two finals with a 5-0 decision from the
judges. Campello, who started the competition sailing below his normal
standards returned to form today and pulled off a wide variety of
extremely complex freestyle moves. In the womens competition Karin Jaggi
(F2, Arrows) of Switzerland also found form and came out on top over
Colette Guadagnino (JP, Neil Pryde) after the three finals.

Action started this morning in the crystal clear water of Lac Bay as the
losers of yesterdays single fought back their way through the rounds of
the double elimination. Tati Frans (Gaastra, AHD) won key heats against
Douglas Diaz (North, Fanatic) and Matt Pritchard (Gaastra, AHD) before
losing to Campello in heat 65 with a spot in the final at stake. Campello
then had the huge task of defeating yesterdays winner Tonki Frans twice in
order to take the round. Despite Tonki sailing with his usual fluid style,
Campello held his nerve and pulled of some of the hottest maneuvers of the
competition so far. His armory of moves today included a switch stance
one-handed flaka, spock diablos and one handed grubby Diablo. In the
second final Tonki was slightly less consistent and failed to land key
moves including an attempted chacho in the dieing seconds.

RICARDO CAMPELLO
I had a great day. I am so stoked to be back&Ricardo is back! The first

day I had a bad day and was 9th, I dont know why. I had the same thing
happen to me on the last day of Canada. I guess it is better to have a bad
day at the beginning than at the end. I am back and with all my power now
and I hope I can sail like this for the rest of the competition. I want to
get another victory here and hopefully I can fight back for the title. I
will do my best. I hope I can do it&it is my dream.

Nik Baker who came into the event as one of the contenders for the
freestyle overall had a disappointing day today after finishing in 7th.
Baker was beaten by Dionicio Guadagnino (JP, Neil Pryde) of Venezuela and
it looks like his dreams of winning the title here in Bonaire could be over.

NIK BAKER
I have had a frustrating event so far. I have pretty much everything that
could go wrong&go wrong, it is definitely testing me. My equipment did not

arrive on time, I broke the fin box out of my best board and the wind
seems to drop off in all my heats. Today I sailed really well against
Skyboy and thought that I was back on form. Then in the next heat the wind
dropped when I was against Diony. I should of gone on my 6.4m but I
suppose my confidence wasnt enough to hang on to the bigger sail is the
wind picked up. I think the title has gone. There is no chance for me now!

TODAYS RESULTS

1. Ricardo Campello (JP, Neil Pryde)
2. Tonki Frans (Gaastra, AHD)
3. Tati Frans (Gaastra, AHD)
4. Matt Pritchard (Gaastra, AHD)

MENS FREESTYLE RESULTS AFTER DAY THREE

1. Tonki Frans (Gaastra, AHD)
2. Matt Pritchard (Gaastra, AHD)
3. Douglas Diaz (North Fanatic)
4. Robbie Swift (Neil Pryde, JP)
5. Ricardo Campello (JP, Neil Pryde)

In todays womens competition Karin Jaggi raised her game in the battle
against Colette Guadagnino and took victory after the combined results of
the three finals. Jaggi pulled of several key moves in her heats today and
her repertoire included spocks, push tacks and willy skippers. The fight
is now on between Colette and Karin for the overall title. As it stands
Colette is ahead but after todays results it looks like Karin has turned
the tide!

KARIN JAGGI
I am stoked to win today. If I had lost I could have pretty much packed
up. I have looked at the judgessheets and think I have a better idea at
what I should do. I think I can win now&I hope so!

TODAYS RESULTS

1. Karin Jaggi (F2, Arrows)
2. Colette Guadagnino (JP, Neil Pryde)
3. Tanja Emig (RRD)
4. Julia Deutsch (Naish)

WOMENS RESULTS AFTER DAY THREE

1. Colette Guadagnino (JP, Neil Pryde)
2. Karin Jaggi (F2, Arrows)
3. Tanja Emig (RRD)
4. Julia Deutsch (Naish)

The connotations of todays results for the overall title are that
Pritchard remains in first place but Campello has closed the gap and the
next double elimination is vitally important. We still have three days of
possible competition remaining so it looks like we are in for a nail
biting finish to the PWA freestyle season!