The 2011 Pozo Gran Canaria PWA World Cup – Event Preview: The anticipated wait for the opening event on the men and women’s wave calendar is over, as the world’s most radical sailors descend on the island of Gran Canaria for six days of intense competition.
The internationally recognized location of Pozo will play host to the most talented wave sailors from around the globe as they embark on the opening wave event on the 2011 PWA world tour.
Pozo is famous for its howling winds and steep waves that provide the perfect playground for the tours most extreme sailors to do battle. The awesome conditions found at this highly regarded destination allow the sailors to perform the most extreme and radical maneuvers known to windsurfing.
The local effect in Pozo Izquierdo, means that the slightest breeze escalates quickly, and can reach speed of around fifty knots, ensuring sailors will be reaching for the skies with their huge jumps and attempting to slash burn and turn their way through every heat to defeat their opponents.
What’s the deal?
Six days of unreal action taking place on the 5th – 10th July. The world’s most extreme male and female wave riders will battle it out in the relentless winds and waves for a taste of the prize packet, as well as gaining precious points towards their overall tour ranking.
Who to watch
Men’s Fleet
The 2010 world champion Victor Fernandez Lopez (Fanatic / North / MFC) and will be returning to Pozo to defend his title and perform his perfect double loops in Pozo’s crazy winds.
The three times freestyle world champion turned wave sailor Ricardo Campello (JP / NeilPryde / MFC), will be looking to break his way into the top spot with his exceptional port tack jumping.
Wonder kid Philip Koster (Starboard / NeilPryde / Dakine) is aged just 17, and it has been rumored he has been pulling triple forward loops off the Pozo shores. Keep an eye on Koster, he is expected to put in a mind blowing routine to earn his way onto the podium.
The consistent Brazilian and three times world wave champion Kauli Seadi (JP / NeilPryde), will be gracing Gran Canaria with his presence and his radical wave riding. Seadi will be looking to place in the top three in order to gain valuable points towards the whole tour.
Also in the mix port tack demon Dany Bruch (Starboard / Severne / AL360), the consistent Brit Robby Swift (JP / NeilPryde), and the style master Marcilio ‘ Brawzinho’ Browne (Fanatic / North / MFC) will all be bringing with them an armor of tricks and crisp cut backs in order to defend their positions in the top ten.
The fleet will also be littered with locals, ready to take on the worlds best on their home ground. Big names to watch out for are Pozo rippers, Dario Ojeda (RRD, Simmer, Dakine, MFC), and Jonas Ceballos who have previously excelled themselves at events in Gran Canaria. Alongside young talent’s Alessio Stillrich (Fanatic, North, AL360), and Jose Romero (JP, NeilPryde),
Women’s Fleet
Wave sailing goddesses Daida Ruano Moreno (Starboard / Severne) and her twin sister Iballa Ruano Moreno (Starboard / Severne) have dominated the Pozo event for the last 11 years. The pairs powerful jumping and smooth wave riding separate them from the rest of the pack, expect to see some explosive action as the battle it out for the 12th year.
Hot on their heels the multitalented Karin Jaggi (Patrik / Severne) will be ditching her race watch, and slipping into wave mode as she floats her away around her spectacular aerial’s in an attempt to break the Moreno twins stronghold on first and second place.
Local wave rider Nayra Alonso (Fanatic / Severne) will be strutting her stuff in front of her home crowds in order to defend her position in the top five and try break her way onto the podium.
The Swiss stylist Laure Treboux (Fanatic / North) fresh from competition in Aruba, will be taking on the wave fleet with her perfect forward loops and seamless wave riding in order to sail her way into the top five.
Keep your eyes peeled from July 5th, Pozo promises insane jumps, slick wave riding and some crazy crashes as the world’s elite sailors go head to head on Gran Canarias shores. The skippers’ meeting is planned for 1pm with a first possible start at 1:30pm
Scope the action
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.
Current weather conditions for Pozo Izquierdo www.windfinder.com/forecast/pozo_izquierdo
Or for more information, please contact the PWA office via [email protected]
