A new competition season has just started for the world’s best windsurfers. From February, 14th to 21st 2009, the first World Cup rang in the start of the 2009 World Tour of the Professional Windsurfers’ Association (PWA). It was a sole men’s wave-competition.
Rekindling memories of the now infamous 2007 World Cup, Ponta Preta once again switched on to deliver world-class conditions to see the Cabo Verde crown returned to its homeland. Now in its third year, the Cabo Verde PWA World Cup has firmly cemented its reputation as a truly world class competition venue.
This first wave contest of 2009 ended up as expected, with the favorites taking the leading positions. In a rerun of the notorious 2007 World Cup, Wave World Champion Kauli Seadi (BRA) had to defend his throne from the local Josh Angulo (CV). In this instance, Seadi’s defense was over thrown by Angulo’s wealth of knowledge at Ponta Preta. Local hero Josh Angulo struggled in a breathtaking final with the extreme conditions. Although a crash onto the rocks seamed to set an end to Angulo’s victory chances, he returned and showed a perfect performance. Angulo had reigned supreme, returning the Cabo Verde crown to its motherland in emotional scenes rarely seen at windsurfing events.
Kevin Pritchard (US) took the third place. This is an awesome achievement considering the line-up of sailors competing. Pritchard finished the season 2008 at the fifth place in the overall wave ranking. Remarkable was the result of only 16 years old youngster Kai Lenny. The teen sensation was on another level, being one of the few attempting 360s in the jaws of the biggest set waves, and launching consistently huge aerials. He reached the eleventh position amongst the 30 starters. It is worth to keep an eye on the young American boy who is one of the protégés of windsurfing legend Robby Naish.
Cabo Verde World Cup 2009 – The Results (Wave Men only)
1. Josh Angulo (CV)
2. Kauli Seadi (BRA)
3. Kevin Pritchard (US)
4. Marcilio Browne (BRA)
