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The 2002 PWA wave tour begins in Vargas, Gran Canaria

vendredi 8 mars 2002

The waiting is over ! The PWA wave tour is all set to begin a new season in Vargas, Gran Canaria. Commencing on the 8th of April the worlds elite wave sailors from both men’s and woman’s divisions will battle it out in the wild winds of Gran Canaria for the 65,000 Euro prize purse. The prevailing wind conditions could be anything from 20-50 knots cross onshore, perfect for huge jumps and creative wave riding. Visitors to the Gran Canaria event will be amazed by what are unquestionably the most explosive displays anywhere on the tour…40 foot high stalled forwards are not uncommon and it is likely that several sailors will be attempting windsurfing’s most dangerous stunt…the double forward.

Home to the Dunkerbeck family, Gran Canaria has been the breeding ground for some of the most high profile wave sailors in the world : The ’Big Man’ himself Bjorn, Vidar Jensen, Jonas Cabellos, Marcos Perez and the incredible Moreno sisters, Daida and Iballa. Gran Canaria is now established as one of the most distinguished windsurfing communities outside of Maui.

At last years Vargas event the men’s single elimination came down to the wire with Norwegian jumping specialist Vidar Jensen (North) winning a sensational final late in the day against his best friend Bjorn Dunkerbeck (Proof, Neil Pryde). The season proved to be thrilling and concluded when Dunkerbeck took his revenge in Brandon Bay, Ireland by snatching the overall wave title after taking second place behind Aussie wave guru Jason Polakow (JP, Neil Pryde).

Polakow will no doubt be a force to watch out for this season. Finishing last year with back-to-back victories in Sylt and Vargas, it seems the ex World wave champ is sailing better than ever and has regained his hunger for the title. Other challengers who are tipped to be in the top positions in Vargas include Francisco Goya (Arrows, Fanatic), Nik Baker (Mistral, North) Kevin Pritchard (Bic, Gaastra), Scotty McKercher (Starboard/Naish) and Peter Volwater (F2, Arrows).

This season’s woman’s fleet is looking stronger than ever with a full field entered for Vargas. Daida Moreno (Mistral North) the 2001 overall wave champion has been training hard during the winter break and is all set to take defend her title. She will be facing tough opposition however in the shape of Karin Jaggi (F2, Arrows) Collette Guadagnino (JP, Pryde) and of course her twin sister Iballa Moreno (Mistral North). Last years Vargas event finished with a head to head between the Moreno sisters. Daida clinched victory after landing a back loop in the closing seconds of the heat, Iballa wont have forgotten and will certainly be out for revenge this year.


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