Nice day at the beach but a bad day for windsurfing! The waiting game continues
here in Vargas, Gran Canaria with wind and waves refusing to co-operate. Eight
men and four women are patiently on standby to finish their respective single
elimination competitions. Today we had breezy side shore winds and blue skies
but nowhere near enough to tempt anybody onto the
water.

In the men’s elimination any of the eight remaining sailors have a shot
at taking victory although many onlookers have been tipping ex World Champion,
Bjorn Dunkerbeck (Proof, Neil Pryde) as hot favourite to win. Vidar Jensen (Drops,
North) another local who lives in Gran Canaria also is looking very strong and
many regard him as the best jumper in the world, especially when he is sailing
at his home spot!

Two French sailors, Xavier Huart (Mistral North) and Pierrick Wattez (Bic,
Neil Pryde) both caused major upsets on their way to the semi’s. Huart
was responsible for the biggest surprise and took the scalp of World Wave Champion
Francisco Goya in the second round whilst Wattez defeated Scott Fenton (Gaastra)
and Greg Allaway (JP, Neil Pryde) in his bid to reach the last eight. The other
contenders are Kevin Pritchard ( Bic, Gaastra) Josh Angulo (RRD) Marcos Perez
(Mistral, North) and Peter Volwater (F2, Arrows).

The women’s event could also provide an interesting finale. Swiss sailor
Karin Jaggi (F2, Arrows) and Tony Frey (RRD) from Greece will both have to overcome
one of the Moreno sisters to reach the final. Karin is pitched against Iballa
Moreno (Mistral, North) and Tony will face Daida, the current World Champion.
Once again it is anybody’s guess on who will win, although
there is little doubt all the girls will be giving it their best shot in pursuit
of victory!

With one day remaining here in Vargas we are all keeping our fingers crossed
that the wind and waves will return. Skippers meeting has been put forward to
9am tomorrow and if we have conditions there is even a possibility that the
single and double elimination’s could both be completed!

VIDAR JENSEN (Drops, North)
“It is really hard to say what is going to happen. The weather can change
very quickly here. Right now the weather is really strange, it is cloudy and
rainy and not really normal for this time of year. Anything can happen, I am
definitely hoping for it! The wind is supposed to swing round to the normal
direction the north east, Right now it is northerly and that is definitely a
better sign. I don’t know how strong it is going to be so it is hard to
say”

KARIN JAGGI (F2, Arrows)
“It is definitely going to be tough against the Moreno’s in Gran Canaria.
I have not been sailing that much in Vargas so they will have a little advantage
but I had a few days to get used to it and I feel pretty good. I hope we get
the conditions, it will be a real pity if we can’t sail. I will give it
my best shot, that is for sure”

TONY FREY (RRD)
“I always believe that I can win, otherwise I would not be on the World
Tour. You always have to have a high goal. I always believe I can beat the person
who is against me. So many things can happen in a heat, maybe I will pull off
a move that I have never done before! You never know what is going to happen!”