This day started of with some starboard tack crossofshore winds. Though the wind wasn’t that strong in the morning forecast was still looking really promissing for the whole day. Around eleven o’ clock I started to head out on the water because I was scheduled for the second heat for this day. When I first went out I took my JP 98L pro and my Neilpryde Firefly 5,7, after sailing a few runs the wind was really gusty and I decided to take my biggest board the 107L. After a few runs sailing on this board and getting used to the conditions, the wind seem to drop even more. But never the less I kept on sailing with a few other riders just for fun and entertaining the crowds. Finally after a long time of waiting the PWA decided to extend the heat duration for 12 minutes and a transition period from 3 minutes. Usually heats are no longer sailed then 6 minutes, but because of the gusty and insufficient windconditions, this was the only option left. 

My first opponent I had to face Slovenian Andraz Zan. When the heat started of the wind was so light and I couldn’t find the right gust to get planning. In the meantime Andrez was pulling of tricks so that was quit frustrating. After sailing up and down with no planning speed, I decided to keep my head cool and wait for the right gust. Then fortunately the needed wind came. Which aloud me to pull of my first moves like Airflaka's, Ponch and a One handed Bob. In this heat the heat order was (3-6 ) which means you can pull of 6 moves and only the best 3 will count. So now I still had to make three moves going outside, with minor winds I could make a switch chachoo diablo, eslider. Now I still had 20 seconds left and wasn’t planning yet, 9 seconds for the end of the heat I pumped up my gear as hard as I could and found nice little wave for completing a forward. Going back to beach I had quit a mixed feeling because I’ve never competed in these kind of conditions and for sure my opponent was planning half of the time more then me. When checking the results I had better moves and Advanced to next round.

Now I had to face Taty Frans NB 9, this Vice Worldchampion, winner of the event from last year and winner from first event this year in Podersdorf. When the heat started of I decided to keep my head cool and really search for the right gust, allowing me to pull of moves only at the right time. I started off with a double flaka and then a okay Ponsch. In the meantime Taty was also pulling of a eslider coming in and a more clean ponsch then me. The I responded going out with switch chachoo diablo and eslider diablo followed by a ponsch over the other side and Bob One handed. In the end I had a quit good feeling about the heat and was anctious waiting for the results. Then I heard the bad news that Taty advanced so congratulations to him. To bad for me, it was close heat according to judging sheets and I would really had like to win from him. This would allow me to clime up more in the single elimination.

For now my ranking is 9th in the single elimination, if the forecast is good we will go and continue sailing the double elimination. I really hope that everything for me go’s well and I can clime up in the elimination ladder!!!

So fingers crossed!!