The 2007 season goes from strength to strength with the confirmation of another first-class Wave event on the Hebridean island of Tiree, Scotland.

Awesome Online Mag Boardseeker.com are convinced one of the PWA’s aerial hell-men are capable of a triple forward loop, or even a double pushloop sooner rather than later.
So, with a big juicy rack of back-to-back PWA wave events coming up they’ve decided to chuck in some cash as extra motivation at the upcoming Corona Extra PWA World Cup.
Yep. For the Boardseeker Tiree Challenge Super Session, they’re throwing-down £1000 Great British Pounds - that’s around 1500 Euros or 2000 mighty greenbacks to you and I - just to see who’s got the nerve to do it first.
You can read all about it and all the likely contenders in the mini-features section at Boardseekermag.com
The event on the remote wave and storm exposed Scottish Island runs from October 6th through 13th.
You’ll be able to follow the event’s progress with our excellent news service at pwaworldtour.com and of course at Boardseekermag.com.
There’s also a dedicated event website at Tireewaveclassic.com
For more information please contact the PWA.
© PWA / Brian McDowell

The all-time 2007 wave sailing season takes in yet another new tour stop in Scotland from 6th through 13th October. As the finale to the wave sailing series the battle is bound to be bloody as the championship crown is settled.

48 of the world’s premium wave riders will be hosted by the unique Hebridean Island community of Tiree as Corona Extra and Event Scotland celebrate The Highland Year of Culture.
Tiree’s hosted a British open contest for over 20 years, and now, proudly boasts full PWA World Cup Status and a prize purse of €30,000 to lure the sports elite.
The island enjoys a mild climate and claims the most sunshine hours in the entire British Isles, as well as the highest average wind speed.
Exposed to raw Atlantic swell, and violent winter storms, Tiree can switch from sunshine to showers in seconds.
The Islands breathtaking white sand beaches and variety of beaches offer this mobile event a vast combination of conditions to fully test the top names.

Scotland’s stunning wave magnet, the rugged Isle of Tiree hosts a spectacular gathering of international windsurfing talent for a skirmish to settle the 2007 wave sailing world title.

From four corners of the earth, the world’s biggest names in windsurfing have arrived in the Hebrides by plane, train, boat and automobile for the final showdown in the 2007 wave sailing series.
The contest runs from October 6th through 13th when the 2007 world champion will be crowned after a landmark season of epic conditions and stunning new tour stops.
To celebrate the Highland Year of Culture, Event Scotland and Corona Extra have thrown an event to remember with a unique mobile format against the the wild backdrops of Scotland’s remote coastline.

The raw Atlantic coastline of Tiree, Scotland, lies dormant and calm as the world’s best wave sailors wait for an incoming onslaught of wind and surf.

Early morning beach checks revealed the accuracy of the forecasts. The ocean lay calm and the fresh still air was accompanied by the dramatic light and stunning vistas these remote Islands enjoy.
Last night the riders were given a traditional Scottish welcome at the event HQ hosted by the local community and the sponsors as they celebrate the 2007 year of Culture for the Scottish Highlands.
After the competitors familiarised themselves with the various beaches this mobile event covers they were treated to an afternoon of coastal orienteering along the rugged cliffs and beaches of the Island.
With activities like this laid on, Event Scotland, who’ve supported this contest so heavily, are proud to demonstrate how much potential this beautiful country has for outdoor sports and the vast resources available for tourists with a taste for adventure.

Tiree springs into action with a super-charged Go Fast Energy Drinks Super Session clinched by Spanish aerial whiz Victor Fernandez

Dawn beach checks reported ample wind but small surf around the Island this morning.
As the swell was too small and the wind really onshore for running official competition, the pro’s spent a relaxing morning hanging-out on standby, watching DVD’s, playing table tennis, and shooting pool.
Not wanting to waste decent breeze, event sponsor Go Fast Energy Drinks decided to kick everyone into life again by throwing down $750 for a full-on Super Session to give the afternoon an extra boost.
Two 15 minute heats containing 15 men were subsequently sent out to impress the judges with their best jumping moves for the free form all-or-bust format.

Scotland’s sunny skies shine bright but the wind fails to join the party on the scenic isle of Tiree.

A new swell and soaring temperatures meant a day enjoying the beautiful Hebridean beaches was on the cards.
As predicted a fresh pulse of surf started to show late in the afternoon and many of the top names of windsurfing paddled out on surfboards to sharpen their wave riding skills.
The arrival of the clean groundswell has everyone’s hopes high of competition tomorrow with forecasts indicating that the afternoon may see strong enough breeze to compete.
Tonight the rider’s will have a dilemma to face. To celebrate the PWA coming to Scotland, Mitchell’s distillery have created a unique blend of whisky for the competitors to test.

Tension builds in Scotland as the elite of the PWA world tour’s patience is tested on the Hebridean Island of Tiree.

The weather men called it wrong today as a high pressure system blocked the breeze from Scotland’s windsurfing Mecca.
After being scrambled to The Maze this morning and sent on a scratch relocation to Balevullin, a few hardy souls ventured out in small clean surf, but the fluky breeze once again prevented official competition .
In a cruel twist of fate the wind arrived just as daylight faded after a long day at the beach.

The mystery as to who’ll take the 2007 title in Scotland stays shrouded in the misty beaches of Tiree

It’s all down to the wire in Scotland as the 2007 world wave sailing title hangs in the balance on eve of the final day of the season.

The Sun bursts out in Sylt as the PWA stars shine in front of massive weekend crowds.

A lack of wind didn’t prevent windsurfing’s biggest personalities from showing off to a packed beach on the Island of Westerland today.
Massive queues for autographs from the legends of the sport such as Bjorn Dunkerbeck (T1 / North) stretched down the seafront.
Excited onlookers also enjoyed the sight of Nik Baker (Mistral / North), Antoine Albeau (Starboard / NeilPryde), Baptiste Gossein (JP / NeilPryde) and top Polish ladies wave sailor Justyna Sniady revving-up their super bikes courtesy of event sponsor Ducati.

Team Fanatic’s furious featherweight Arnon Dagan takes the first bullet on a frustrating days racing for the big guns. Light wind specialists Australian Steve Allen and youngster Julien Quentel also drive home their advantage as the opening volleys of the slalom shooting match begin.

The lower end of the wind limits really tested both the competitors and race crew today as conditions on the edge of suitability kept everyone on their toes.
Breeze between just 5 and 13 knots meant disruptive lulls forced many heats to be cancelled.
In between the racing the freestylers pumped onto the plane to perform for the crowds, and it wasn’t long before 2006 world champ Jose Estredo had won over the beachside fans with his extensive bag of tricks.
Meanwhile a fair amount of racing heavyweights struggled in the early heats and many failed to advance to the semi-finals.

Jose Estredo storms back into the freestyle title hunt as a volatile North Sea flicks the switch to turn on a raging tempest.

In a day of stark contrasts bright sunshine turned to howling winds and showers after a frustrating morning of gusty unsuitable conditions.
To entertain the crowds the organisers resorted to a fun freestyle contest won by Jose Estredo (Fanatic / North) to regain his taste for victory.
But the patient were eventually rewarded when a gentle day at the beach suddenly turned into a furious freestyle conflict as the wind kicked-in and the head judge gave the nod for official freestyle competition.
All the top seeds advanced through the first couple of rounds and the first upsets occurred when world number 6 Anthony Ruenes (Tabou / Gaastra) was knocked-out by Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails).

Flaming-hot Fanatic rider Nayra Alonso helps her team take a valuable triple discipline lead at Sylt with a famous victory over world champion Iballa Moreno in the waves.

A narrow window of wind and waves allowed the women a valuable chance to complete their wave sailing single elimination this morning.
It was apparent from the early heats that careful wave selection would prove critical for success.
Cross to cross onshore wind from the left and punchy head high shore break waves gave the ladies the perfect canvass to showcase their skills.
RIght from the start it became apparent that Nayra Alonso (Fanatic / Severne) was revelling in the conditions and that Steffi Wahl (F2 / Gaastra) would also be a threat.
The early heats progressed without drama until Wahl caused a major upset when she defeated tour leader Daida Moreno (North) in round 2.
Wahl displayed superior timing and rhythm to tear the chunky swell to pieces and take a critical victory to make the German crowds truly proud.

A bonus pulse of swell brightens a sunny day at Sylt. Both hope and pressure build as an early start’s called for a sunrise wavesailing session tomorrow.

Blazing sunshine, clear skies but sadly no wind denied the PWA’s finest competitors the chance to show off to the crowds today.
True to the forecast not even the slalom racers were close to being scrambled into action.
Far from disappointed the spectators settled down on the sandy beach and hospitality areas to enjoy watching some free surfing sessions and a stand-up paddling race won by The Starboard team of former wave sailing champ Scott McKercher (Starboard / Severne), slalom world champ Antoine Albeau (Starboard / NeilPryde) and Aruban freestyle sensation Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde).
Over the afternoon a fresh groundswell started to show on the sandbanks of Westerland’s Brandenburger Strand, and many of the pros grabbed surfboards to limber up for some possible action tomorrow.

Patience And Persistence Pay Dividends For The Race Crew And Loser’s Finalists After A Long And Testing Day At The Beach.

An early start to capitalize on an upbeat swell and wind forecast led to disappointment for the wave sailors today.
The predicted surf just didn’t show at all and a total lack of wind compounded the situation for the men waiting to progress in their single elimination.
A long day at the busy event site followed and it looked certain that there would be no competition at all.
But right at the last the race director decided to that there was enough wind to run the pending loser’s final from race 1.

Marcilio Browne seizes the Freestyle world title as 2006 champ Jose Estredo and tour leader Kiri Thode’s hopes fade into the twilight. A long day of tension and drama also saw 2007 slalom champ Antoine Albeau demolish the opposition with a stunning hat of race wins.

An early meet for the freestylers came to no avail and the call was made to switch to slalom racing as soon as a few early heats of the double elimination were abandoned.

The Sylt seafront swells with spectators as a lack of wind fails to spoil the Party

After the dramatic events of yesterday’s freestyle conclusion, massive Saturday crowds flocked to the Island of Westerland’s Brandenburger Strand at Sylt to mingle with windsurfing’s top names and biggest celebrities.
Sylt’s fine wine and quality seafood attract crowds regardless and the chance to get an autograph and meet and greet some of the best windsurfers on the planet is the icing on the cake.

Sylt goes out with a bang. Champagne corks pop and champions are crowned after a day rammed full of insane freestyle, wild surf slalom and an all-out wave sailing expression session.

Men’s Freestyle Double Elimination
The action-packed day kicked off with the completion of the men’s freestyle double elimination.
On Friday 18-yr old Brazilian star Marcilio Browne (Mistral / Gaastra) had already finished high enough in the rankings to seal the 2007 title, but the event crown was still to be decided.
Browne faced Bonaire trick specialist Tonky Frans (F2 / Gaastra) for a shot at the final against single elimination winner Jose Estredo (Fanatic / North).
In difficult choppy conditions Frans’ score sheets marked him down for repetition but his technical skill and style impressed the judges enough for him to defeat the new world champ.
Frans came out in the final super fired-up but the conditions limited both him and Estredo’s ability to pull off their top drawer tricks.
Eventually a stylish, one-handed regular stance chacho, right under the crowd’s noses gave the Caribbean stylist the win and so, under the double elimination format, a re-sail to settle the event title was necessary.
This time Estredo was not settling for second. Immediately the youngster floated an amazingly high and tweaked shaka in very marginal winds. ‘Gollito’ then killed off Frans’ hopes completely when he bust out his signature move, the ‘Burner’, and a perfect one-handed chacho of his own.
Freestyle Results after 1 Double Elimination:
1. Jose Estredo
2. Tonky Frans
3. Marcilio Browne

Karpathos 2007 event report

The 1st round of the ISA speed world cup kicked of on the idyllic island of Karpathos in Greece. The event was run last year for the 1st time and proved to be very popular with the racers for being the most welcoming on the tour. It was not surprising then for 2007, a record 75 entrants turned up from 22 countries including Australia, Brazil and Hawaii. The line up was extremely strong including PWA sailors Antoine Albeau, Bjorn Dunkerbeck and all the Moussilmani brothers, speed stars Finian Maynard the world 500m record holder and David White production world record holder. The women’s line up was also formidable with Zara Davis women’s world mile record holder, Karin Jaggi the women’s 500m world record holder, Valerie Ghibaudo the French Champion, and an unknown Pauline Pease from Maui who won the GPS challenge all in attendance.

The British speedsailing team over the two 2007 ISA events at Karpathos and Sotavento are lying in 2nd place overall in the world national rankings.
Only the French to beat!

Meet the team

David (Whitey) White, This guy needs no Introduction. But for the uninitiated, a true larger than life character that is an inspiration to us all. Current World Speed Record holder for production boards, a title has held 5 times.
Zara (outmore) Davis Zara’s nick name came from Whitey who thinks she needs to “get out more” Not a big party animal 3/10. But put her on a board and she can embarrass many of the men. World record holder for the nautical mile and British record holder for 500m.

Event report By Zara Davis
The Second round of the ISA speedsailing world cup held at the legendary Sotavento Beach Fuerteventura, finally delivered some good winds. The event in recent years has struggled with light winds and very rough conditions, so we were due a good one.
This event has been running since the eighties and has a fearsome reputation, but the increased popularity of Speedsailing has brought back some of the legends like Anders Bringdal, Farrel Oshea, show they still have what it takes.
The first three days where not what the doctor ordered! The Calime wind which some times blows in the Canaries was in full flow meaning NO wind at the strip. But the afternoon of the 4th day the wind switched and brought almost perfect flat conditions on the water, but not wind wise.
With 22-25 knots it was just sailable on an angle of 135 degrees.
So I was very pleased to cause the 1st upset of the week with a 2nd place to Karin who achieved an impressive 33.25 with me just behind on 32.51 and Valerie in third.
In the Men’s fleet the lead changed between Bjorn, Finian, Jose and Antoine in the beginning, but Finian had some put in some fast runs with a top speed of 37.34 knots.
In the end, this was the fastest speed recorded, and he was able to hold back Antoine to second place and Jose into third. Cyril finished fourth and Bjorn fifth.