WINDSURF TENERIFE PREDICTIONS!
WINDSURF TENERIFE PREDICTIONS!
WINDSURF TENERIFE PREDICTIONS!
Hmmm predicting the winners for Tenerife looks very tough, especially with the slightly dubious forecast on offer. But at Windsurf we don’t bury our heads in the sand when the going gets tough. Despite a few setbacks; including one of our star reporters sidelined in Fuerteventura with a snapped Achilles, we have been studying the form and the statistics. So, lets get down to it and see if we can conjure up some magic with our Tenerife predictions for Slalom X (Men only) and Waves (men and women).
SLALOM X
1: Matteo Iachino
Nothing like being bold here. We think Matteo could excel in the slightly lighter winds forecast in Tenerife. It is his home spot and he knows these waters like the back of his harness. Matteo is one of the most experienced and professional racers on tour and he is sure to be in the mix. Plus, he loves technical choppy conditions such as the rolling seas out the back of Medano Bay. He wasn’t quite the fastest in Pozo, but we are gambling on the fact his medium gear will be flying in Tenerife.
2: Pierre Mortefon
The rumour mill was suggesting that Pierre would be riding on NeilPryde’s in Tenerife and that could go one way or the other for Pierre. Perhaps he will turn into a full-on rocket in Tenerife with what are reportedly some of the faster sails on the water. But on the other hand, will he have his tuning dialled in and will they match up with has FMX slalom boards to produce a similar performance to Fuerteventura? One thing for sure, he is experienced enough and has the skills to get himself on the podium either way. So, with the question marks hanging over him, we are tipping him for the silver medal in El Medano.
3: Maciek Rutkowski
Maciek seems extra fired up this season…especially in slalom. We know he is fast, he trains here and knows the conditions, so if he can put his mental side together and learn to seal the deal when he is ahead, he won’t be far away.
4
: Jordy Vonk
Jordy Vonk looks a lot faster this season but that was in the high winds of Fuerteventura. Dropping down to medium or the big gear he may not be the same high wind weapon he was last week. Dare we stay it, he seems to have that 4th place curse pinned to his back and that could be a curse he just can’t shrug off. If he delivers the goods and takes the victory or makes the coveted top three, we will be the first to congratulate him. Go Jordy!
MENTION: Nico Prien
We reckon Nico looked pretty darn sharp in Fuerteventura and he loves the adrenaline of Slalom X. Involved in a lot of scraps and crashes in Fuerte, which slightly masked his results, we reckon he could easily hit the top 5 in Tenerife. Maybe he needs those extra crashes to get more likes for his You Tube channel!
WAVE:
MEN:
1: Marc Pare
We are expecting a bit lighter winds and perhaps small waves looking at the forecast as it stands. This is exactly the conditions Marc revelled in last year when taking home his victory coming back from injury. Recent videos of Marc in training show him totally ripping the waves apart in Gran Canaria and for sure he will be fired up to break into the podium after his disappointing 4th in Pozo.
2: Philip Köster
You can’t count out Philip Köster who can throw a perfect double of a piece of chop but when the wind is not howling, we reckon it could take a bit of the sting out of his tail. That said, his is still a machine and we expect him to make the podium. Chances are it could only be a single elimination if they are juggling around Slalom X and waves in the windy conditions so Koester will need to make it count when it matters.
3: Marcilio Browne
Will Marcilio unleash the Goya Nitro X during Tenerife? Either way, he is as solid as they come in all conditions but Braw won’t have many days to get tuned in in the build up to the event. Koester and Pare are extra hungry this season and this event could be their time to shine. A third would still put Marcilio firmly on course for another world title but obviously he will be looking for the victory. Never discount the best all round wave sailor on the planet! Braw is a competition machine and will be very tough to beat. When you have doubles and push forwards on tap you then become a major stumbling block for those sailors that don’t have these moves nailed down.
WILD CARD: Victor Fernandez
We are giving Victor another chance in slightly less chaotic conditions than the Pozo extreme 50 knot madness. Now he is slightly older we don’t think he was risking all and going crazy in Pozo but come more manageable conditions in Tenerife it could be Victor’s chance for one last dance in the ring with the likes of Pare, Köster and Browne. Victor can milk it when it gets light and rip and throw down doubles when its Tenerife windy…one to watch out for!
MENTION
Julian Salmonn, this guy rips here at his home spot and he won’t be short on practise come next week. He really does need those double or a push forward to cement his place at the top in the Canary Islands, but you never know if its light, the judges could opt wave riding only and then it could be Salmonn’s time to shine.
Wave riding only would certainly bring Mauritz Mauch into the equation also. His riding in Pozo was next level and there were very few sailors who could match his wave scores!
WOMEN:
1: Sarah Quita Offringa
Its time to step up SQ! She managed to beat Daida once in Pozo and now she is on a victory roll after winning Slalom X world and freestyle world titles in Fuerteventura here confidence should be oozing! Tenerife could be the opportunity to strike the Achilles heal of Daida Moreno. SQ has all her jumps nailed but may have to throw down a wave 360 or something out of the ordinary to shake Daida’s composure.
2: Daida Moreno
Tenerife isn’t quite her fortress like Pozo and dare we say it, lighter conditions in Tenerife could be a weak point for Daida, if there is one! She lost here a few years ago in similar conditions. That said, you can’t rule out Daida who is still one of the best in the business even away from here own waters. She is a deadly competitor and if the forecast does switch on, she has all the big moves to take back-to-back victories. We are just gambling on mediocre conditions, which could cause some drama and upsets.
3: Sol Degriek
She is young…she is hungry…she has talent…and she is a solid allrounder in light and strong winds. Sol is no longer that little girl anymore just taking part. She is now a major contender and one of the few who is prepared to throw down a double loop if the opportunity arises. Big future and potentially, a big present.
WILD CARD
4: Lena Erpenstein
Yep, back from injury, last years winner should be in the mix. We reckon she prefers some solid wind and waves and if the conditions are a bit fluky, she might not have the ingredients she needs to stir up that magic recipe. Obviously, the draw will play a big part in this but meeting the likes of Daida or Sarah Quita in the semi’s could prove a step to far for Lina coming back from injury. But we won’t be too upset if she proves us wrong and takes the victory!
Final Word
We might not have a perfect forecast, but uncertainty breeds opportunity and you can rely on Tenerife to always deliver action. Keep your eyes on the live stream and don’t bet your board on anything…it’s going to be unpredictable, competitive and absolutely unmissable.
We’ll be updating you as the event unfolds …assuming our chief reporter doesn’t fall off his crutches.
Who are your picks? Drop them in the comments … or call us crazy. Either way, enjoy the show!
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