Fuerte day 3

[PH]

PKRA/FUERTEVENTURA FREESTYLE SINGLES COMPLETED AND THE
DOUBLES LADDER FINISHED IN NOTORIOUSLY STRONG WINDS!

(July 25, 2003-Fuerteventura, Spain)- In what appeared to be lighter winds than in previous days, grew steadily and peaked again at 35-40 knot winds today, for the completion of the Single’s ladders and the finish of the Freestyle Double elimination ladders, for both Men and Women.

Men’s Singles Finish-
In the completion of the Men’s Freestyle Singles competition with the Semi-Finals, the two top Spanish riders, 18 year-old Aragno and 15 year-old Oneiva faced off with Oneiva demonstrating smooth riding and variety to push him over Aragno. Then, Martin Vari ARG, proved to be untouchable as he continued to make the trying winds for others look easy. Etienne Lhote FRA put on a great show in his attempt to topple Vari, but to no avail. Excitingly, the Top 5 places consisted of the majority being under 20 years of age!

The Top seeds coming out of the Singles ladder were:

Men’s Top Freestyle Singles Results:

1st Martin Vari ARG Cabrinha
2nd Alvaro Oneiva ESP Wipika
3rd Gianni Aragno ESP Slingshot
4th Etienne Lhote FRA F-One
5th Mark Doyle USA Slingshot
5th Aaron Hadlow UK Flexifoil
5th Alex Tritten FRA Cabrinha
5th Sky Solbach USA Gaastra

Women’s Singles Finish-
In the Women’s Singles, the early heats were with moderate winds in the 25-knot range and lent to a more clear performance of those formerly struggling in the early rounds from yesterday. Moving into the Quarter Finals were Jo Wilson UK, Ingrid Kollbichler AUT, Petra Goeschl NED, and Andrea Wharry UK. This left Julie Gilbert USA, Suzy Mai DR, Sophia Rodriquez ESP and Kristin Boese GER sharing 5th Place. An ecstatic Kollbichler finally made it to the number one spot, though commented that she was sure that Tour leader Mosey would manage to meet her in the Doubles ladder to fend for the Top slot.

Women’s Top Freestyle Singles Results:

1st Ingrid Kollbichler AUT
2nd Petra Goeschl NED
3rd Jo Wilson UK Cabrinha
4th Andrea Wharry UK Flexifoil


Men’s Doubles/Finals-
Moving on to the Freestyle Doubles Finals, the winds steadily increased to 35 knots with 40-knot gusts. Making it out of the first two rounds:

Seales ESP vs Gilbert USA
Phillip ANT vs Luengo ESP
Lago ESP vs Kerherve ESP
DeLeau FRA vs Tyburski USA

The Spanish contingent was strong and proved that local knowledge and skill was a real benefit.
Passing into the next round:

Seales ESP vs Doyle USA
Luengo ESP vs Tritten FRA
Lago ESP vs Solbach USA
Tyburski USA vs Hadlow UK

Dominant Tour riders held their ground, and the judges appeared to rewarding risk and daring, while earlier tending toward the more conservative smooth riding approach. It became increasingly difficult to know what would be rewarded an advance. Moving on to the Quarter Finals were 2 obviously hard working, stronghold US riders, going to meet Singles slot holders:

Doyle USA vs Lhote FRA
Solbach USA vs Aragno ESP

Doyle USA managed to unseat Lhote FRA in a tight heat, nailing a huge handle pass with powered kite loop to cinch the deal over a very fluid and consistent Lhote. Solbach USA was unable to do the same against young Spanish ripper Aragno, whose confidence was quite mature as he continued on excitedly into the Semis.

Next, Aragno outmatched Doyle, continuing his command of the field with a non-stop display of moves, as Doyle was constantly looking for the wind window that would allow him a huge technical trick to push ahead in points, but the window was limited and he ate up precious time looking, leaving Aragno with the win.

Ever smiling Aragno now met up with the awaiting compatriot Oneiva, here the two teenagers represented the best of the Spanish new school and talent. Both performed the veritable book of tricks with the reflexes and speed of the new generation. Another tight heat, it was Aragnos ability to risk going big and powered that allowed him to unseat Oneiva.

The days wind peak was now diminishing, leveling the field for the Finals shoot out between Aragno ESP and waiting Vari ARG. Pre-heat Vari openly expressed his pleasure in meeting the young Aragno and his belief that the youth hold great promise for the sport. Vari currently holds ‘guru’ status to the new school generation migrating to kiteboarding, his status was upheld as he boosted massive technically difficult tricks with super charged power, demonstrating his top form since the start of the current Tour season. Aragno was elated to have represented Spain in the Top field and to have had a chance at competing directly against one Martin Vari of ARG.


Men’s Freestyle Final Ranking:

!st Martin vari ARG Cabrinha
2nd Gianni Aragno ESP Slingshot
3rd Alvaro Oneiva ESP Wipika
4th Mark Doyle USA Slingshot
5th Etienne Lhote FRA F-One
5th Sky Solbach USA Gaastra
7th Alex Tritten FRA Cabrinha
7th David Tyburski USA RRD
9th Aaron Hadlow UK Flexfoil
9th Abel Lago ESP Naish
9th Jose Luengo ESP AirRush
9th Danny Seales ESP Flexfoil
13th Charles DeLeau FRA North
13th Chris Gilbert USA Naish
13th Yoann Kerherve ESP Wipika
13th Andre Phillip ANT Cabrinha
17th Christian Brouwer NED Slingshot
17th Jose Ciriaco DR Gaastra
17th Steph DeJong NED North
17th Will James USA North
17th Adam Koch USA Naish
17th Marc Ramseier SUI Cabrinha
17th Mark Shinn UK Naish
17th Nacho Yuste ESP Liquid Force
25th Jose Calderon ESP AirRush
25th Josef Clastula UK Wipika
25th Jeremy Eloy FRA North
25th Mallory Hersart FWI
25th Ben Meyer USA Naish
25th Tomo Muryabashi JPN Naish
25th Leon Van de Kruys NED Cabrinha
25th Jeff Williams IRL Flexifoil

Women’s Doubles/Finals-
The Women’s Doubles competition found a predicted forward thrust by Cindy Mosey NZL to make her way back to the Top after a rare difficult first heat in the Singles. Joining her fward movement were Boese GER, Rodriquez ESP, and Wedenig SUI. From this field, advancing into the Quarter Finals were Mosey and Rodriquez.

Demonstrating marked improvement and local conditions comfort Rodriquez ESP went on to unseat also much improved Tour veteran Andrea Wharry UK. Furthering her upward march, Mosey took out newcomer Jo Wilson UK. Mosey then denied Rodriquez the pass to meet Goeschl, and continued to regain her rightful place next to Kollbichler by taking out Goeschl NED.

In this common Tour scenario, Kollbichler AUT and Mosey NZL met again in the Finals. After 8 exhausting heats, Mosey put out her signature display of professionalism that has earned her Tour leader status, but Kollbichler, well rested and amped for this match, put down her best and was given the illustrious coup of finally beating Mosey. Post-match, Kollbichler commented that ‘it was one day going to happen, now it’s done- “, and then admitted that Mosey is far from being a Tour threat, and Mosey quipped, “I’ll be back…â€

[naufragado]

Thank you; good info...