The third day of competition saw Bonaire's winds take a turn for the worse from consistent cross shore to frustrating fluctuations, putting the sailors on and off standby throughout the second single elimination.
Lighter winds meant that pleas to cancel heats were high, and the sailors had to work extra hard in order to make the moves that would put them ahead of their contenders.
Alongside lighter breezes, a lower than usual tide meant the competition area was really shallow playing havoc with the day's opening heats. Yegor Popretinskiy (JP / NeilPryde / MFC) was first to fall victim to Bonaire's change in conditions losing out Davy Scheffers (Tabou / Gaastra). Close behind Andy Chambers (JP / NeilPryde) suffered as his fin caught the sea floor numerous times during his heat, opening the gates for Deivis Parternina Teran (Fanatic / North) to move into the next round.
Parternina Teran went on to challenge fellow Venezuelan and team mate Jose 'Gollito' Estredo (Fanatic / North). However Estredo didn't go easy on his travel partner, quickly taking the upper hand using this heat to show he meant business after a 4th place finish in yesterday's double elimination.
Heat 21 saw brothers Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic) and Tonky Frans (Tabou / Gaastra) fight it out for a place in the semi-finals. The Bonaire boys put on a show like no other trying to outdo each other on the style front as well as the complexity of their maneuvres. Taty managed to sail his way through the heat without dropping a single move whereas Tonky failed to match his brother's consistency and dropped several vital moves.
The action really picked up in the semi-finals as the sailors decided it was time to raise their level. Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2 / Gaastra) pumped his way to victory ahead of Taty Frans with an outstanding display of aerial maneuvres. On the other side of the draw, Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra) disposed of the reigning world champion Gollito Estredo using his home knowledge to drive home his advantage.
Men's winners final
The second single elimination saw a changing of the guard as Van Broeckhoven stepped up to the table to challenge Kiri Thode (Starboard / Gaastra). The lighter winds had minimal effect on both parties as they both pumped their way into massive maneuvres. The sailors both chose to open the heat with perfect Culos shortly followed by a succession of double moves. Van Broeckhoven pushed the level higher with a Spock Culo but was quickly matched by Thode's enormous air bob. The heat was incredibly close; Van Broeckhoven managed to snatch the victory by just half a point.
The PWA caught up with Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2 / Gaastra) to find out about his momentous day.
"Today was super light winds; my first few heats were on the edge of the wind line.