Sunday June 29, 2003

Ricardo Campello (JP, Neil Pryde) of Brazil has won the opening round of
mens freestyle after a day full of drama and surprises here at the PWA,
Gran Canaria, Grand Slam. In a thrilling final up against Bonaire
freestyle whiz kid, Tonky Frans (Gaastra, AHD), Campello pulled out all
the stops and took the mens final with a conclusive 5-0 decision from the
judges. Fighting it out for third and fourth in the losers final were
Kauli Seadi (Naish, AHD) and Christian Sammer (F2, Arrows), with Kauli
taking the honors after sailing one of the highest scoring heats of the
day. Winning the womens freestyle today was Pozo local Iballa Moreno
(Mistral, North) who defeated Karin Jaggi (F2, Arrows) of Switzerland in a
hotly contested final. Third place went to Angela Martinez (JP, Neil
Pryde) of Tarifa who won a hard fought battle in the losers final against
Dutch all rounder Anne Marie Reichman (Naish).

Conditions here this morning were a huge contrast to the past two days
with relatively light winds for Pozo standards, gusting through anywhere
between 15 and 25 knots. With only small chop rolling into the bay, there
was no question that freestyle was the order of the day and action
commenced promptly at 10am.

Campello started his opening heats sailing well below his normal standards
but his level picked up throughout the day as he adjusted to the
conditions. Advancing through heats against Robert Sand (F2, Arrows),
Orjan Jensen (North), Antoine Albeau (AHD, Neil Pryde) and Kauli Seadi
(AHD, Naish) Campellos huge repertoire included shakas, switch stance clew
first flakas, stingers (goita off back of wave) and numerous spock variations.

On the other half of the draw Caribbean maestro Tonky Frans demolished his
opposition in on route to the final in formidable style. His list of
victims were Spanish sailor Frank Figueroa (Neil Pryde, JP), Konan Lang
(Naish) of Brazil, Dutch young gun Kevin Mevissen (JP, Neil Pryde) and
Austrian freestyle specialist Christian Sammer (F2, Arrows).

The semi final between Campello and Kauli Seadi on the top half of the
draw was the critical heat of the day. Both sailors were equally matched
in terms of radical tricks and slick style. After mediocre performances in
his opening heats Campello by now had moved up into a new level and was
throwing down every trick in his huge, varied and extremely difficult
repertoire. Brazilian Samba sensation, Kauli Seadi was also firing on all
cylinders and in contrast to last year, has also stepped up a gear by
consistently nailing his exceptionally technical moves. Both sailors
sailed brilliantly but the decision went to Campello who nailed a sick
shaka, which perhaps was the move that gave him the edge.

The final between Campello and Frans was one of the highest scoring heats
of the day with Campello by now shifting up into overdrive mode and
landing every single move in his routine. Two of the five-man judges panel
awarded Campello maximum points for diversity, technical skill and overall
impression. Despite a superb performance from Tonky Frans, which included
one handed flakas, one legged forwards and spock diablos the decision was
unanimous in Campello’s favor.

Taking an early exit today after a relatively poor performance in his heat
against Venezuelan young gun, Alexis Zaballa (Mistral, North), was current
freestyle world champion Matt Pritchard (Gaastra). Pritchard seemed to be
struggling with the adjustment from yesterdays screaming winds to todays
gusty 5.3m conditions. The twenty nine year old Californian sailor failed
to produce one of his normal rock solid performances and was consequently
dispatched in the third round. Zaballa was stoked to have the scalp of the
world champion under his belt but then went down to Christian Sammer of
Austria in his next heat.

In the womens freestyle Iballa Moreno (Mistral, North) beat her sister
Daida (Mistral, North) in the semis and then went on to beat reigning
freestyle world champion Karin Jaggi in the final. The key heat between
the sisters all boiled down to a matter of consistency, both twins nailed
forward loops and some impressive jumps but Iballa managed to gain the
advantage by landing her flat water tricks. The final was also a close run
affair but Jaggi failed to land two attempted grubbies which cost her
dearly and left the door wide open for Moreno to capitalize and take victory.

The last hour of competition today was available for live viewing on the
Internet on www.high.tv. Check out the website for details of further live
broadcast which should be taking place daily for the rest of the
competition. With four days remaining here in Gran Canaria there is still
all to play for in both freestyle and wave competitions. Stay tuned on
www.pwaworldtour.com for all the news, latest results and pictures, which
are, updated daily after each day of action.

RICARDO CAMPELLO (JP, Neil Pryde)
In the first heats of the day I was not really confident with myself and
the conditions were kind of strange. Later in the afternoon at high tide,
it was more flat and I felt that I was improving all the time. The semi
final against Kauli was my best heat of the day. I think we both sailed
really well. I had an OK heat in the final but I think I sailed better in
the semi final. I am pretty happy about today and I hope I keep winning
like that!

IBALLA MORENO (Mistral, North)
I am stoked, I did not sail my best but am super happy that I won. I felt
a little bit bad that I beat my sister in the early rounds. I felt bad
that I won but thats life. There is more competition to come and I am sure
that she will come back. In the final I tried to make it simple at the
beginning and take my risks at the end. I was on a 4.5m and a little
underpowered so I was worried about going about going out of the
competition area. I did my best and managed to win so I am very happy
about that!

Results after one Dingle Mens freestyle elimination.
1. Ricardo Campello (JP, Neil Pryde)
2. Tonky Frans (Gaastra, AHD)
3. Kauli Seadi (AHD, Naish)
4. Christian Sammer (F2, Arrows)

Womens Single Elimination Freestyle
1. Iballa Moreno (Mistral, North)
2. Karin Jaggi (F2, Arrows)
3. Angela Martinez (JP, Neil Pryde)
4. Anne Marie Reichman (Naish)