PWA FREESTYLE KING OF THE CARIBBEAN, DAY 4
Tonki Frans On Track For The King Of The Caribbean!
Sunday December 15, 2002
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Nineteen-year-old local sailor Tonki Frans (Gaastra, AHD) has won the
opening single elimination of the third round here at Sorobon Beach, the
headquarters of the PWA freestyle finals. In light winds blowing between
12 and 15 knots Tonki defeated Venezuelan freestyle maestro Ricardo
Campello (JP, Neil Pryde) in front of his home crowds. The result today
means that Tonki is on course for winning the King Of the Caribbean title
here in Bonaire. In the womens fourth elimination Karin Jaggi (F2, Arrows)
won again today making it 2-2 against Colette Guadagnino (JP, Neil Pryde)
after four rounds.
Tonki stormed his way through to the mens final today after defeating
Tyson Poor, John Skye (F2, Arrows), Chris Audsley (Mistral) and his
brother Tati Frans (Gaastra, AHD). On the other side of the draw Campello
took down Antoine Albeau (AHD, Neil Pryde), Chris Sammer (F2, Arrows),
Remko de Weerd (Gaastra, AHD) and Kauli Seadi (Naish boards, Naish Sails).
In the final Tonki almost seemed glued to his rig as he slid through his
repertoire of spocks, flakas and mind-boggling transitions. Campello
fought his hardest but seemed to be slightly underpowered and struggled to
maintain his consistency. Over a thousand spectators swarmed to the beach
today to cheer along the Frans brothers, their home grown windsurfing heroes!
TONKI FRANS
It was light but I sailed my best and I am on track for the King of the
Caribbean. I think that is what the whole crowd expects from me. I am so
stoked!
Campellos main rival for the overall title&Matt Pritchard (Gaastra, AHD),
finished today in equal fifth after losing against a powerful performance
the from Brazilian samba sensation Kauli Seadi in the quarter finals.
Seadi then went on to take third place toady after defeating Tati Frans
(Gaastra, AHD) in the losers final. The battle between Pritchard and
Campello is extremely tight and tomorrows double elimination results could
determine the winner!
Nik Baker (Mistral, North) suffered a further blow to his hopes of winning
the title after losing to Douglas Diaz (Fanatic, North) in the third
round. Diaz was eventually defeated by Tati Frans in the quarterfinals.
TODAYS RESULTS
1. Tonki Frans (Gaastra, AHD)
2. Ricardo Campello (JP, Neil Pryde)
3. Kauli Seadi (Naish Boards, Naish sails)
4. Tati Frans (Gaastra, AHD)
In the womens competition Karin Jaggi (F2, Arrows) consolidated her
comeback against Colette Guadagnino of Venezuela by taking a convincing
victory in the three finals. Jaggi strung together a varied routine of
intricate maneuvers including stall tacks, grubbys and spocks. The overall
situation between the women is now neck and neck between Jaggi and
Guadagnino and the stage is all set for a dramatic climax to the ladies
freestyle finals here in Bonaire!
KARIN JAGGI
I had a pretty good day. It was super gusty but sometimes it just works
out. Today I just felt really strong and at least it is going to be an
exciting finish to the contest. I think I can do as well tomorrow as well
as I did today!
TODAYS RESULTS
1. Karin Jaggi (F2, Arrows)
2. Colette Guadagnino (JP, Neil Pryde)
3. Tanja Emig (RRD)
4. Julia Deutsch (Naish)
WOMENS OVERALL RESULTS AFTER DAY FOUR
1. Colette Guadagnino (JP, Neil Pryde)
1. Karin Jaggi (F2, Arrows)
2. Tanja Emig (RRD)
3. Julia Deutsch (Naish)
Bonaire is now officially on the map as one of the best freestyle
destinations in the world. With a hundred per cent wind here at the PWA
finals the event is already being heralded as a major success. Local
brothers Tonki and Tati Frans have delivered inspiring performances that
should trigger even more interest in windsurfing from the hundreds of kids
who already participate in the sport here in Bonaire.
With two possible more days of action remaining the tension is now higher
than ever here in Bonaire. With 65,000 Euros up for grabs and titles at
stake we are all set for a sensational finish to the PWA world tour season!
