PWA - Podersdorf

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After a one year absence the elite of the freestyle world will return to the shores of Neusiedler See, Austria, between the 29th April to the 3rd May. The freestylers are ready to provide another explosive display in their second event of the year after a great start to the season in Leucate, France, which saw Steven Van Broeckhoven (JP / NeilPryde) take the opening victory of 2015 with a scintillating display.

Podersdorf is one of the most unique locations on the tour with Neusiedler See being located inland, but there are many reasons that make Podersdorf a great addition to the tour. For example the unpredictable nature of the weather means that a whole variety of conditions are possible from glorious sunshine and light thermal breezes, to torrential rain and nuclear, freezing winds, which can make Austria one of the trickiest locations for the sailors to prepare for. It’s not just on the water that the action goes off either as Podersdorf is renowned for its festival like atmosphere with thousands of party goers celebrating long into the night.

Ones to Watch

As the current leader of the PWA World Tour - Steven Van Broeckhoven - will enter the event full of confidence having remained undefeated in France. The Belgian usually fares well in Austria having won here in 2011, whilst finishing fourth and second respectively in 2012 and 2013. Van Broeckhoven stated that victory in the opening event of 2015 has given him even more motivation, so he could prove extremely difficult to stop again.

Hoping to return to the top of the podium will be Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic / North / MFC). The Venezuelan couldn’t quite force a super final in the double elimination in France - narrowly missing out by way of a 3:2 decision in SVB’s favour - and so had to settle for second place. However, history would tip Gollito to perform brilliantly in Podersdorf having won the last two events here in 2012 and ’13. Expect to see the reigning world champion coming out with all guns blazing as he bids for a hat-trick of event titles in Austria.
Kiri Thode (Starboard / GA Sails) completed the podium in France and will be hoping for a top three finish again at a minimum. The 2013 PWA Freestyle World Champion has never won here in Austria, so will be calling upon his whole bag of tricks to try and write the record straight.

Belgian Dieter Van der Eyken (Starboard / Severne) will enter Austria with confidence at an all time high having achieved his best result to date in the season opener - fourth. Van der Eyken showed great consistency and diversity in France, but just ran out of steam when sailing his fifth heat in a row against Thode, so making a strong start in the single elimination could prove key - not only for him, but everyone else too - if they want to break into the formidable top three.

The remainder of the Bonaire crew will also be a huge threat over the course of the next five days. Amado Vrieswijk (JP / Severne) will be hoping to continue his charge through the freestyle fleet as he looks to build upon fifth place in the season opener, closely followed by Taty Frans (Starboard / GA Sails / Mystic), who finished sixth in France and will have fond memories of Austria having claimed victory here in 2010.

Meanwhile, Youp Schmit (99NoveNove / Avanti) made a confident return to the competition scene in his first appearance since a serious knee injury and you would expect to see the nineteen year old featuring in the top ten again. Fellow Bonairean’s Tonky Frans (Tabou / GA Sails) and Bjorn Saragoza (Starboard / Hot Sails Maui) will be hoping to kick start their season after a slightly disappointing performance in France - given their usual high standards.
Anthony Ruenes (Tabou / GA Sails) is renowned for being one of the most stylish sailors on the tour and he certainly didn’t disappoint in France as he finished in joint seventh alongside Dutchman Davy Scheffers (Tabou / GA Sails). Both sailors have excellent records in Austria, frequently featuring in the top five, whilst Scheffers’ only podium to date came here in 2011, so both will need to be watched very carefully.

Nicolas Akgazciyan (99NoveNove / Point-7 / AL360 / Maui Ultra Fins) looked to be in fine form in the season opener will be looking to perform even better in Podersdorf after claiming joint ninth in France, whilst Romain Pinocheau (F2 / Avanti / Maui Ultra Fins) and Yentel Caers (JP / NeilPryde) both caught the eye as they broke into the top ten for the first time.

The opening event of 2015 served up a few shocks and surprises with new talent coming through in the shape of seventeen year old Sam Esteve (JP / NeilPryde), Italian Giovanni Passani (Tabou / GA Sails) and Brazilian wonder-kid Hugo Sousa (RRD / RRD / Maui Ultra Fins) all making their mark. As a result we could see further upsets in Austria, or we could see a backlash as the likes of Phil Soltysiak (Starboard / Sailworks), Adrien Bosson (Fanatic / North / Maui Ultra Fins), Adrian Beholz (Fanatic / Sailloft Hamburg / Maui Ultra Fins) and Max Rowe (Fanatic / North) all look to hit back.

The forecast for Neusiedler See keeps changing at the moment, but it looks as though there should be at least one day of strong northwesterly winds, but as previously mentioned the weather in Podersdorf can change almost in an instance so anything could happen. Don’t miss any of the action by tuning into www.PWAWorldtour.com Here you’ll be able to follow everything as it happens via the live ticker.