Gran Canaria Wind & Waves Festival
Time is rapidly counting down until the opening wave event of the year - the Gran Canaria Wind & Waves Festival - which starts next Friday. The majority of the big names are already in Pozo Izquierdo readying themselves for the first event of the season. Two of those names include reigning world champion - Victor Fernandez (Fanatic / Duotone / Shamal Windsurfing) and vice-world champion - Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins) and we recently caught up with the two title contenders to see what they’ve been up to over the winter.
Sarah-Quita Offringa: "I spent a lot of time in Aruba again this winter. It was well windy at home, which was perfect to get ready for the PWA freestyle in Bonaire which was a great event. However apart from the starboard shoot in Oz in February I didn’t really get any wave sailing in since sylt. (The only downside of coming from Aruba is the lack of waves on the island).
After freestyling in Bonaire I started panicking about not getting any wave sessions in, so I ended up flying to Gran canaria the first week of May. When Alessio Stillrich saw me he asked me what I was doing there haha.. Maybe a bit early… But hey, I caught some insane sessions in May which I’m grateful for, since it hasn’t exactly been going off in GC the past weeks.
It’s been good though to not be the only freestyler here since Oda’s [Brødholt) also here. So at least I feel like I’m getting the most out of every session here. Let’s get the freestyle event back here! it would hands down be the most epic showdown having the freestylers perform here. I’m sure Balz [Müller] would go out on his foil in these 40 knots!
Wait, I’m here for wavesailing right? The event is on in about a week from now. Pretty much everyone is here now which I love, because the level on the water is so high and all around there’s a nice atmosphere in Pozo before and during the world cup. Competing in Pozo is so challenging but I can’t wait to get out on the water and challenge the elements!”
Reigning world champion, Victor Fernandez: “I have been in Pozo since June 9th. First week it was quite good conditions and after it has been quite relax and a few light wind days.
This winter I have been on Maui quite some time testing sails for Duotone and enjoying Ho’okipa. After that I went to Chile for 3 weeks and we had very good conditions. Then home to organise the PWA Youth event with the Club Victor Fernández which was very fun and this time we ran a lot of slalom races.
In February I went to Cape Verde with an amazing forecast and it was the best conditions I had this year. Then Maui again for the photoshoot. May Sardinia doing a project for Mercedes Benz. Now looking forward to the start of the season!”