PWA Fuerteventura
Day 5: Sarah-Quita Offringa Survives Emotional Rollercoaster to Complete La Decima
The final day of the Freestyle at the 2017 Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam produced one of the most exciting women’s freestyle finals in history as Maaike Huvermann (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) pushed Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins) all the way. However, the 19-year-old couldn’t quite do enough to prevent Offringa from winning as the Aruban continues to rewrite the history books - after enduring an emotional rollercoaster of a week. Freestyle Women’s Double Elimination II Maaike Huvermann successfully saw off the challenge of Oda Johanne (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) in Heat 50 to setup another tie against Sarah-Quita Offringa, who was attempting to win her 10th PWA Freestyle World Championship. Winners’ Final Over the last 5 days Huvermann has grown in confidence with each heat she has sailed and today she gave Offringa, who was understandably nervous prior to the final, a real run for her money. The two ladies produced quite possibly the best women’s freestyle final ever seen with the lead continually changing hands as they traded blows throughout. Huvermann deserves massive credit for the way in which she put the 26-year-old under pressure - landing shuvit spocks, regular konos and most impressively a powerful culo to not give Offringa an inch of breathing space. However, despite not producing her usual flawless routine, Offringa dug deep as she called upon her champion winning qualities to produce a few moments of magic - with the best being a perfect burner - but the tie still hung in the balance with Huvermann landing a puneta just before the buzzer. Both women were forced to wait on the beach for the decision, which must have felt like a lifetime, but eventually it was announced that Offringa had held on to win by just 1.2 points and with it she continues to rewrite the history books as she claims her 10th Freestyle world title - 13th overall. Sarah-Quita Offringa on sailing under the pressure of trying to capture World Title No.10 and making it a reality: “It was a really tough week mentally for me. Everybody is quite supportive of me here but also make it sound like it's guaranteed like I'll win. Which isn't the case. I still have to go out and do it. I think that built up into more pressure than usual combined with the fact that I could win ten titles. Which is a nice number no? so I guess also some pressure from myself because I did want it pretty bad. So the hardest part was keeping my emotions in check and to sail without thinking too much about the future. Normally I want to put down a really good heat but this week I was more focused on sailing good enough to pass the heats. So, I sailed well everyday I think but also quite reserved. Then in the final I could mostly hear cheering for Maaike which is understandable but threw me off guard I guess. Anyway I watched her sailing and she sails with much more confidence and has been able to put together some amazing heats! Especially after she injured herself at the beginning of the year… I think it's amazing she came back like that. Massive congrats to her, Oda and Arrianne for finishing in the Top 4. These were some of the toughest Fuerte conditions I've competed in and I think we put up a great show.” Huvermann can walk away with her head held high after coming so close to becoming the first person to beat Offringa in a freestyle heat for 9 years and the 19-year-old ends the year as the vice-world champion for the second year in a row and with another year of training under her belt it looks as though she would have a realistic shot at the title. Oda Johanne completes the podium again after successfully coming back to defeat Arrianne Aukes (Fanatic / NorthSails / Maui Ultra Fins) in the second double elimination today, which means the Norwegian has now finished in the world’s top 3 for the last 4 years running. Meanwhile, Aukes finishes in a solid 4th place ahead of Olya Raskina (JP / NeilPryde), who won 3 consecutive heats to climb up to 5th place for the year after defeating Hanna Poschinger (Patrik / Sailloft Hamburg), Clare Elliot (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) and Birgit Rieger (Flikka). Result 2017 Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam - Women's Freestyle 1st Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins 2nd Maaike Huvermann (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) 3rd Oda Johanne Windsurfing(Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) 4th Arrianne Aukes (Fanatic / NorthSails / Maui Ultra Fins) 5th Olya Raskina (JP / NeilPryde) Result 2017 Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam - Men's Freestyle 1st Jose 'Gollito Estredo (Fanatic / NorthSails) 2nd Amado Vrieswijk - NB20 (JP / Severe) 3rd Yentel Caers (JP / Point-7) 4th Jacopo Testa (RRD / RRD Sails / AL360) 5th Steven Van Broeckhoven (JP / NeilPryde / Shamal Sunglasses) 6th Adrien Bosson Windsurfing (Fanatic / NorthSails / Maui Ultra Fins) 7th Antony Ruenes F85 (Tabou / GA Sails) 7th Dieter Van der Eyken B35 (Starboard / Severne) 9th Taty Frans (Starboard GA Sails / Mystic) 9th Sam Esteve (JP / NeilPryde) 9th Everon (Tonky) Frans (RRD / RRD Sails) 9th Kiri Thode