When the sailors and the judges arrived at the beach this morning, neither expected to get a full single elimination finished in freestyle. The wind was cross-offshore and very gusty which would have suited the discipline of racing. However, moving in a brave new direction head judge, Duncan Coombs decided to run the heats with an otherwise unheard of twelve-minute duration.

With such a long time to perform six moves on each tack, of which only three would count, the world's best had plenty of time to wobble around between the gusts, and then explode into action when the wind increased. A few sailors opposed this new format, but it's actually very similar to how we run riding only wave contests where the sailors can be off the plane for very long periods of time between catching waves.

Results

1^stJose 'Gollito' Estredo (Fanatic, North)

2^ndTaty Frans (Starboard, MauiSails, Mystic)

3^rdSteven Van Broeckhoven (F2, Gaastra)

4^thKiri Thode (Starboard, Gaastra)

Gollito's Game

The three times world champion (four if you include this year's which he's already secured), Jose 'Gollito' Estredo (Fanatic, North) out-tricked all of his opponents with a faultless display of dynamic moves today to win the single elimination with emphatic style. From the very first second he hit the water, it was obvious that he'd make it all the way to the final, and when he exploded into action he left many of his rivals absolutely helpless. Anthony Ruenes (Tabou, Vandal) was the first to put up a fight, but his efforts of going big all too often ended with a splash. Next up, Canadian, Philip Soltysiak (Starboard, Dakine) tried to take down the champ, but the Venezuelan played a tactical game, tricking it up in the gusts out the back, leaving his opponent wallowing around in the lulls. The following heat was undoubtedly one of the hottest of the day, but Estredo stuck to his guns and used his experience to win once again. And, a final showdown with Taty Frans (Starboard, MauiSails) saw Estredo claim it on a 4-1 decision, pulling off cleaner and higher moves in the toughest of conditions.

Hottest Heat

When you whittle the world's best down to the final four, you expect extreme action. And, that's exactly what the hoards of spectators lining the shore got. With a star-studded semi final on both sides it was absolutely spectacular. One half of the draw to receive somewhat more attention than the other though was between the current world champion, Estredo and the light wind legend, Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2, Gaastra). The moves were off the scale, and it resembled more of a final than simply a semi. Nerves had the better of the both of them at the beginning, but eventually Broeckhoven was seen busting out huge konos, culos, and burners, whilst the world champ was replying with much of the same. However, it was all too late for Broeckhoven who had unfortunately already used up some of his six attempts with failed shakas earlier on.