The sailors awoke to another day in paradise at the Aruba Hi Winds Grand Slam. The sun blazed down on to the Fisherman's Huts and the trade winds returned to full strength providing wind between 15-20 knots, perfect for another standout day of slalom.

Race director Juan Antonio Aragon scheduled a mammoth day of competition seeing two more races furiously fought out on the glistening waters, and all but the finals of a further elimination completed.

The PWA caught up with Ben Van Der Steen (Starboard / Loft / Mystic), to find out his thoughts on Aruba's playground.

"The conditions are great, the water is warm and the weather is amazing. I have used the same equipment every day, my 8.6m sail and 107 liter board with a 41cm fin. We have sailed the same course each time so all the sailors are used to it, making the racing really exciting. This is an outstanding location for slalom"

An electrifying day saw emotions running high as the sailors gave it everything they had to work their way around the racecourse.

Highs

Fanny Aubet (JP / NeilPryde) was overjoyed to have won her first ever winners final, having displayed an outstanding set of polished skills defeating current event leader, Karin Jaggi (Patrik /Severne) and local legend Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic).

Taty Frans (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic) continues to prove he is has what it takes to make it on the slalom tour, steaming into the winner's final on his 6.6 meter sail. Frans has been labeled the 'wasp that won't go away' by the rest of the fleet as he continues to perform outstanding gybes stealing the top spots from the world's best.

Offringa scores her third bullet, putting her in an ever stronger position to upset the top spot and claim her second win on her home turf.

Lows

Bjorn Dunkerbeck (Starboard / Severne / Mystic / Dunkerbeck Eyewear) made a fatal mistake in the men's elimination 6 winners final. Heading out to the wrong mark and then crashing in an attempt to rectify his mistake. Dunkerbeck lost out on the race win and potentially the event lead.

Consistent performer Pieter Bijl (JP / NeilPryde) fell victim to another premature start in heat 12 of the fifth elimination ensuring his early demise.

Men's elimination 5 final - Forcing the front

An explosive start for the men's final as Taty Frans (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic) and Finian Maynard (RRD) pushed hard for the front of the fleet, resulting in a premature start and their disqualification.

The remaining six sailors were fuelled with adrenaline for the second start. In an attempt to take advantage of the reduced fleet Antoine Albeau (JP / NeilPryde) and Pascal Toselli (RRD / Point-7) pushed ahead, but both sailors timed it fractionally wrong and crossed the line early and were consequently disqualified from the final.