Waiting for Slalom X...

03/07/2024

With the wind still as strong as ever at Pozo Izquierdo on the Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup, the wave event for the U21s and Masters continued and the double elimination in the men's main draw got underway. Meanwhile, the Slalom X competitors are having a hard time of it...

With winds in excess of 40 knots and waves, day 4 of the Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup got off to a similar start to previous days, with the race directors opting for the wave event. Having been on the competition site for 4 days, the slalom sailors will still have to be patient.
The day begins with the young talents in the U21 category. Liam Dunkerbeck, who finished 5th the previous day in the men's main draw, once again showed why he is considered one of the best prospects in windsurfing. Up against Lennart Neubauer, he took the lead with a one-foot forward loop, sealing his victory. Neubauer, despite his efforts and impeccable double loops, had to be content with 2nd place. Gregory Stathapoulos completed the podium, while Italy's Samuele Ferraro took 4th place.
Then it was time for the Masters fleet to get into the action. After some hard-fought semi-finals, the final saw Ben Proffitt, Michael Friedl, Valter Scotto and Sandro Dálessio go head-to-head. Proffitt, known as the voice of the PWA on live streams, impressed with solid backloops and aggressive frontside surfs, securing 1st place. Despite a great one-foot backloop, Friedl had to be content with 2nd place...

After Marino Gil's victory in the men's race the day before, the men's double elimination got underway straight away. However, because of the new race format, the best rider will not be able to climb any higher than 9th place, as the top 8 places no longer change. Marcilio Browne, after an early elimination in the single elimination, began his catch-up run in the double elimination. Despite his disappointment at only aiming for a tied 9th place this year, Browne showed his determination with a total score of 29.63, the second best of the day, enabling him to qualify for the next round. Among the day's other notable returnees were Adam Warchol, Antoine Albert, Mike Friedl, Carlos Kiefer Quintana, Miguel Chapuis and Morgan Noireaux, who all made a strong return to the competition.
With a wind forecast of between 18 and 33 knots on Wednesday, Slalom X should (finally!) be in the spotlight at this Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup, an event eagerly awaited by competitors and spectators alike!