On the eighth day of competition the stunning white beaches of Sotavento provided the perfect backdrop to an all action double elimination, which culminated in the ultimate display of freestyle wizardry with the current world champion versus the current vice world champion.

Following a spectacular finale, head judge, Duncan Coombs made the decision to begin the second single elimination. With plenty of wind the first round was completed, often in gusts of over 40 knots, and will continue tomorrow from 10:30.

Results After The First Double Elimination

1^stKiri Thode (Starboard, Gaastra)

2^ndJose 'Gollito' Estredo (Fanatic, North)

3^rdTaty Frans (Starboard, MauiSails, Mystic)

4^thTonky Frans (F2, Gaastra)

5^thSteven Van Broeckhoven (F2, Gaastra)

6^thLeo Ray (Naish, Naish)

Having waited for much of the day, witnessing sailor after sailor progressing through the double, vice world champion and current world number two, Kiri Thode (Starboard, Gaastra) finally hit the water late in the afternoon to defend his position against fellow Bonairean Taty Frans (Starboard, MauiSails, Mystic). Taty had sailed amazingly against his brother, Tonky Frans (F2, Gaastra) to advance and compete for second. However, Thode was not about to give up his place and successfully fought off the challenge.

This allowed Thode to battle three times world champion, and single elimination winner, Jose 'Gollito' Estredo (Fanatic, North) for first place. As soon as the heat opened Thode performed like a machine, busting out technical tricks right on cue. For Estredo however it was a different story, he fell on his first move, and almost every single one afterwards. Halfway through the heat Estredo knew he was losing, so to conserve energy he sailed off into the distance and back to the beach. The judges had never seen anything like it, and were absolutely amazed to see him heading home before the heat was through.

Due to the rules of the double, Thode had to beat Estredo again, so the scene was set for the ultimate showdown. Estredo had found his form, and was nailing huge air flakas, burners, and air funnels. But, Thode was still sailing at the top of his game with massive konos, culos, and air flakas of his own. It was an extremely tight heat, but Thode took it by the smallest of margins to win the first double elimination.

Hottest Heat

Aside from the final, the most dynamic heat was arguably when the European champion, Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2, Gaastra) challenged Taty Frans for a top five slot. The new king of pop, Van Broeckhoven nailed some of the most impressive konos of the day, and this heat was no different. Taty Frans was fully firing though, and wasn't about to let him pass. A Gozada 900, and an awesome culo 360 from Taty halted the pop sensation dead in his tracks.

Biggest Moves

One of the slickest moves of the day was without a doubt Taty Frans' triple one-handed spock. He held out his hand and waved at the beach to score bonus points with the judges, and cheers from the crowds. He also carried it off with so much style that many thought he should win simply on that one move.