S T I L L T E N E R I F E ’ S O N LY F R E E Q U A L I T Y W E E K LY N E W S PA P E R
Issue 712 15 July 2011 - 21 July 2011
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A breath of fresh air for World Cup windsurfers El Medano’s 40mph winds get the show off to a roaring start ROCK music boomed out across the windswept Atlantic as the second leg of the World Windsurfing Championships began at El Medano yesterday (Thursday). And conditions were said to be “absolutely perfect”, with high winds, high tides and anticipated high drama as the world’s finest windsurfers battled for a share of the 45,000-euro prize-money on offer. In fact, the arrival of 40mph winds led to organisers pushing the event forward a day early to take advantage at the El Cabezo beach, on the other side of the harbour. Dozens of competitors - 42 men and 15 women – were geared up for this round of the World Cup, organised by the PWA (Professional Windsurfers Association). There were plenty of spectators as well, taking advantage of the hot sun and enjoying the sport and the music. Mobile cafés and surfing shops were dotted around the area and numbers are expected to grow daily as the event reaches its climax on Tuesday (or Wednesday, depending on the weather). Event organiser Daniel (Dany) Bruch, who lives locally and is ranked fifth in the world, will making full use of his knowledge of the area to get the upper hand on his opponents. Bruch is among the favourites and, needless to say, he is delighted with the reappearance of the prestigious “PWA World Cup-
PlanetWin365 Medano Tenerife 2011” event in Tenerife after a 15-year absence. “This is an amazing spot, and the jumping is really great here,” said Bruch, who was mainly responsible for bringing the event back here. “The wave comes straight at you so you can go really high. “We can expect to see super acrobatics, but I think the wave riding will be the most impressive thing as a lot of the sailors prefer that.” He added: “There is loads to do at the site, which is on the
large sandy area behind the beach and away from the wind. It’s great for spectators, and at night it will all change and become a party area, with some great Djs coming down to entertain the crowds.” The main event was preceded by the preliminaries earlier in the week, when three local windsurfers qualified to compete in the World Cup. After last week’s opening leg of the series on Gran Canaria, German Philip Kosher and 14 times women’s world champion Daida Ruano
Moreno, from the same island, arrived at El Medano as respective leaders in the second and final round of the competition in the Canaries. Besides them, other favourites for overall victory are Victor Fernandez, who won the world title last year, runner-up Ricardo Campello, from Venezuala, plus Germany’s Alex Mussolini, who also lives locally. On the women’s side, Daida’s twin Iballa, ranked second only to her sister, will be pushing her hard all the way, with compatriot Nayra
Alonso and Switzerland’s Karim Jaggi also vying for top honours. Last night (Thursday) heralded the official presentation of this leg of the World Cup, when all competitors brandished their national flags as they walked proudly through the streets of El Medano, finishing in the main plaza, on the seafront. Another bonus for spectators is that they can take part in various events throughout the week, such as the Wind Music Fest tonight and tomorrow (Saturday) from 10pm.
There is also a main draw for anybody attending the event on any one day, the luxury prize being a Renault Clio Authentique. The event could not have been taking place but for a host of sponsors, including: Tenerife Tourism, the Canary Islands Government, Granadilla’s Department of Tourism, PlanetWin365 Head Surf Shop, Arenas del Mar, Sheraton La Caleta and Renault. Also involved are Ashotel, Travel Zipangu, Fuente Alta, CocaCola, Multieducacional and Amarilla Golf.