2011 Bonaire PWA World Cup – Day 2: Sarah-Quita Offringa and Kiri Thode seal the deal in the second day of competition from Sorobon Beach, Bonaire.
Bonaire continues to deliver perfect conditions in paradise for the second day in a row. Winds blowing 15-20 knots allowed the double elimination to be complete for both the men and women’s fleets. An action-packed day saw emotions running high, as the sailors fought their way through each round or buckled under the pressures of the world tour.
The double elimination can allow the sailors to work their way to a higher position on the scoreboard or if the heat goes against them fall down the ranks. Not one of them is safe in the position they worked so hard for in the previous day’s single elimination. With this in the back of their minds the sailors took to the water ready for war in the second day of competition.
The tension on the beach could be cut with a knife as the heats got underway. Julien Mas (Patrik / Hot Sails) started the day on form destroying Rich Cicilia and Quincy Offringa (Starboard). As did Ian Mouro Lemos (JP / NeilPryde), he managed to work his way past Victor Wenderfoort and Oliver Stauffacher (Naish / MFC).
Choco Frans (F2) flew though his heats quickly climbing from 17th to 7th, wowing the crowds with his perfect Ponchs in front of the Judges tower, proving that there is no end to the Frans family talent as all three brother sit within the top 10.
The world renowned ‘sailor of the day award’ was well deserved by Davy Scheffers (Tabou / Gaastra), who managed to raise his position from 9th to 5th sailing expertly though 8 heats. Scheffers worked his way through the double elimination ladder taking down each sailor one by one, including the previous days nemesis Dieter Van Der Eyken (Starboard / Severne). It came down to 4 times world champion Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic / North) to draw an end to Scheffers path of destruction.
More blazing heats continued as Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2 / Gaastra) maintained his third place position, keeping Estredo at bay in fourth. Broeckhoven brought the ‘Barracuda’ in his heat and back to the world tour, a move made famous by Cheo Diaz in the 1990’s.
Men’s Winners Final
The previous days duo took to the water to do battle once again, Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra) and Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic) unleashed everything they had in an attempt to outdo each other. This heat was certainly the most exciting of the day, as each sailor pushed the boundaries of freestyle further and further. As the sailors matched each other move for move it was up to Thode to separate the two, bringing out Grubbys into Ponchs and a prefect Spock Culo; it was just enough to seal the deal and stamp his authority down on Lac Bay once again.
The PWA caught up with the current event winner Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra) to find out his thoughts on the competition.
“It’s really though to sail against these guys, but Bonaire is my home spot and I am really working hard to do my best on the water. I know the spot really well and that gives me an advantage so I can hit the chop and go higher. It has been a great competition so far.”
Women’s Fleet
Xenia Kessler (JP / MauiSails) started the day on a high sailing her way through two heats defeating Daniela Simal and Mio Anayama (NeilPryde) with her superfast Spock 540’s and flawless Flakas. It came down the Arrianne Aukes (RRD / Simmer) to put an end to her reign of glory, Aukes worked her way through the heat displaying a whole variety of maneuvers from funnel’s to clew first Spocks, this provided her with slightly higher diversity points ensuring this heat was hers for the taking.
Women’s Winners Final
The same story came from the women’s final as the previous day’s one and two fought their way for first place. Laure Treboux (Fanatic / North) looked to want the number one spot more than ever making sure her moves had that extra element of style. Treboux pulled out perfect planning Grubby Diablos and one handed e-sliders, but Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic) managed to steal the show once again sailing just behind Treboux and raising the game just slightly with each move.
Results
Men’s Elimination 1
1st Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra)
2nd Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic)
3rd Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2 / Gaastra)
4th Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic / North)
5th Davy Scheffers (Gaastra / Tabou)
Women’s Elimination 1
1st Sarah-Quite Offringa (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic)
2nd Laure Treboux (Fanatic / North)
3rd Yoli De Brendt (Fanatic / North)
4th Arrianne Aukes (RRD / Simmer / Dakine)
5th Xenia Kessler (JP / MauiSails)
The third day of competition will continue tomorrow, the skippers’ meeting is planned for 8:30am with a first possible start at 9am. See you then!
Scope the Action
The PWA is proud to announce that the entire 2011 PWA Bonaire World Cup will be streamed live via PWA TV on www.pwaworldtour.com. Weather depending, coverage of day one of competition is scheduled to begin at 12:30pm Sunday 12th June (UTC -4), when the freestylers will take to the water.
For more information on all the entrants, and to keep up to date with every piece of the action, click on www.pwaworldtour.com Here you can use our: - Live ticker service for heat-by-heat bulletins - Check live elimination ladders - View results - Read daily news summaries - Browse awesome action photo galleries - Follow the event live, with top class commentary from pros and industry insiders.
There’s also a dedicated event website which can be found at www.pwabonaire.com
Or for more information, please contact the PWA office via [email protected]
