The PWA Fuerteventura Freestyle World Cup took place from the 25th to the 29th of July. The riders experienced all the conditions from gusting 40 knots during the first day to lighter wind on the last day. This variety of conditions perfectly challenged the riders battling for the top places. In the Women’s division, Sarah-Quita Offringa was absolutely unstoppable and she defended her World Title from last year and became the 2024 Freestyle World Champion. With the 2024 Slalom X World Title, Sarah-Quita is 24x World Champion! Oda Johanne claimed her 3rd Freestyle Vice World Title after finishing in second place overall. In the Men’s division, the dream came true for Lennart Neubauer winning the 2024 Fuerteventura World Cup! All the Starboard riders were using the Starboard iGNiTE.
The Women’s Fleet
The World Cup kicked off with the women’s single elimination. Strong wind gusting up to 40 knots forced the riders to take the smallest equipment available. Our youngest Starboard rider Bijou Shahmirian had impressive heat, and we could see a stylish funnel from her. Above all, Bijou is gaining a lot of important experiences and we can expect big things from her in the future. Oda Johanne finished second in both single and double elimination sailing in both finals against the Queen of Windsurfing Sarah-Quita Offringa. Therefore, Oda finished in second place overall and claimed the 2024 Freestyle Vice World Title. Sarah-Quita Offringa defended her World Title after winning both single and double elimination and became the 2024 Freestyle World Champion.
Sarah-Quita about her 23rd World Title:
“I’m super happy to win the title here and I think I was quite nervous for this whole event also during the single and double elimination. I’m just happy that I managed to keep my head cool and sail the heat that I needed to sail. It was a pleasure to sail the final against Oda. She did amazing! Maaike is always really good so I’m glad to share the podium with her and Oda. I used my Starboard iGNiTE 93L every day!”
Oda reflecting on her final heats and her Vice World Title:
“Yes, it was awesome! I had a really good heat against Maaike and managed to defend my 2nd place! It felt super good on my 4.4. and I managed to sail smart and just focus on filling in the scores one by one. Above all, I am happy to have landed culo, kono and airfunnel in those very light conditions to take the win. I was so happy when they told me on the beach that I made it! It is a dream come true to become Vice World Champion again for the 3rd time in my career. Last year I lost 2nd place by 0.3 points, and this year I wanted to be able to control the heats better which I managed. In the final against Sarah, the wind dropped a lot and I was stuck on my 4.4 out there which was waaaay too small. There was no time during this 8 min heat to change sail size. But with the wind dropping more and more they kept on running which was fair as SQ managed to land her tricks. Well deserved that she won the title! Super stoked for her! I was sailing the iGnite 87 the whole event. And that was just the perfect setup for me!”
Men’s Fleet
The 2023 Vice World Champion Lennart Neubauer is determined to attack the World Title this year and he is on the right path after the Fuerteventura World Cup. After a tough battle in the final of the single elimination, he finished in second place. Lennart had a difficult but not impossible task ahead. During the double elimination, he was winning one heat after the other. Lennart managed to force the super-final against the winner of the single elimination. In the end, he took the event win. Above all, Lennart looked comfortable in both light and strong winds, showing he has great potential on his Starboard iGNiTE 93L. Accordingly, he is definitely aiming to win his maiden World Title by the end of the year. Congratulations Lennart to your 2024 Fuerteventura World Cup Title!
Photo Credit: PWA
