Day 9 – Victor Fernandez claims his first ever PWA wave world title following a grueling nine days on standby in Cabo Verde!

In the hope of the conditions improving on the final day of competition head judge, Duncan Coombs scoured the island for the very last time, but the flat-calm seas and gentle breezes were in no way sufficient for the 2010 wave world title showdown. With little sign of either the wind or swell improving, the organisers decided to let the sailors relax for the entire day by calling off the competition at 09:00.

Cabo Verde Results

Having only completed five man-on-man heats throughout the week, the PWA’s finest leave Cabo Verde with no result.

Final 2010 Men’s Wave Rankings

Without a result in Cabo Verde the world rankings remain the same as they were just nine days earlier, leaving 2010 Pozo champion, Victor Fernandez (Fanatic, North, MFC) to walk away with the 2010 PWA wave world title.

Talking about his victory Fernandez said: “I’m super, super happy. I’ve put in a lot of work since my debut on the PWA World Tour, and a tremendous amount this year. It hasn’t really sunk in properly yet because of the long week we’ve had. I was expecting to come here and compete, so it’s been a bit disappointing that we haven’t. But, that’s the good thing about leading the rankings from the beginning of the year – you never know if an event will happen, so you have to make the most of it right from the start, which is exactly what I did, so I deserve to win.

I’m going to continue to train hard throughout the winter, whilst also filming our new movie, Second Life. I’m hoping to travel to some new places and perhaps return here on a good forecast to improve my wave riding. For the next few weeks I’m just going to head home though and celebrate with my family and friends, then I’ll be back next year to defend my title!”

In second place, and possibly the luckiest man alive right now after his shock exit from the single elimination here on Saturday, is three times former freestyle world champion, Ricardo Campello (JP, NeilPryde, MFC).

Campello commented: “I’m really happy to have held onto my second place, if we’d have finished even just the first round, I probably would have lost it. Before the event I felt that I could challenge for the number one spot, but the conditions didn’t allow that. My goal this year was to finish in the top three, which I’ve achieved.

Now I’m going to head home and relax in Margarita for a bit – I’ve been away from there for a very long time. After that, I’ll probably come back here to Sal on a good forecast to film for the Second Life movie. I think my second place ranking this year will give me the motivation I need to train harder and go for the world title next year. The level is really high at the moment with lots of sailors capable of winning, but I’m going to give it my best shot!”

Claiming the final podium position is the 2009 Pozo wave champion and teenage sensation, Philip Koster (Starboard, NeilPryde, Dakine). His incredible jumping has wowed the world on many occasions making him without doubt one of the sailors to watch out for in the future.

Koster said of his 3rd place finish: “I just can’t believe it, it’s a dream come true. I’m really, really happy, especially after my bad luck last year in Sylt which put me down to 28th. I’m going to train as hard as I can this winter to improve my starboard tack jumping and waveriding, so hopefully next year I’ll be a more rounded sailor.”

Official 2010 Wave Rankings

1st Victor Fernandez (Fanatic, North, MFC)

2nd Ricardo Campello (JP, NeilPryde, MFC)

3rd Philip Koster (Starboard, NeilPryde, Dakine)

4th Kauli Seadi (JP, NeilPryde, MFC)

5th Dany Bruch (Patrik, Severne, MFC, AL360)

6th Robby Swift (JP, NeilPryde)

7th = Klaas Voget (Fanatic, Simmer, MFC)

7th = Alex Mussolini (Tabou, Gaastra)

9th Jonas Ceballos (Mistral, Simmer)

10th Dario Ojeda (Tabou, Simmer, Dakine, MFC)

Video Footage

Watch what’s been going on at the Cabo Verde World Cup by tuning into either PWA TV or www.caboverdeworldcup.com.

Keep In The Groove

For more information on all the entrants, and to keep up to date with every piece of the action click on www.pwaworldtour.com.