Mondial du Vent saw the 2015 PWA World Tour begin with a bang as an explosive double elimination was completed over the course of the last six days. There were several epic battles and performances, but eventually the forty-one man strong fleet was whittled down to leave just one man standing – and on this occasion that proved to be Steven Van Broeckhoven as he kept his rivals at bay with a polished display.

Steven Van Broeckhoven claimed an emphatic victory in the opening event of the year as he remained unbeaten in the single and double elimination – defeating reigning world champion – Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo (Fanatic / North / MFC) – in both finals with a combination of explosive culos and kabikuchis to super technical air funnels-into-burners. SVB will now look to carry his excellent early season form into the second event of the year in Austria, which starts in just four days time.

Steven Van Broeckhoven after claiming victory: „This is a great way to start the year and this makes me even more motivated than before. Bring on Austria.“

Single Elimination

Reigning world champion – Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo – safely navigated his way into the opening winners’ final of the year, as he clinically dispatched of Giovanni Passani, Phil Soltysiak, Taty Frans and Amado Vrieswijk, to setup up a mouthwatering duel with Steven Van Broeckhoven, who successfully defeated Kiri Thode in the semifinals. The Belgian opened his account first with an explosive one-handed air funnel 360 before adding a high culo, whilst Gollito responded with text-book culos of his own on both tacks. Conditions proved to be tricky with the wind becoming more marginal – meaning both sailors were forced to pump and fight their way through their repertoire of moves. However, in the end it was Van Broeckhoven, who was just able to edge the battle on this occasion with a powerful air bob doing the damage to give the twenty-nine year old the perfect start to 2015.

Double Elimination

Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo defeated Kiri Thode in heat 50 to setup a repeat of the single elimination final against Steven Van Broeckhoven – and the battle which ensued was outstanding as both sailors pushed themselves to the limits – move-for-move, toe-to-toe. Van Broeckhoven made the better start to the final as he stomped a big culo and a pasko, whilst Gollito missed his first sail duck. However, with a heat duration of eight minutes there was no need for the six-time world champion to panic and he soon hit back with an impressive air funnel into funnel and then a clinical kabikuchi. Gollito and Van Broeckhoven continued to trade blows – with the former stomping a quite ridiculous culo and a no-handed burner, whilst the latter landed a super technical air funnel-into-burner and an excellent kabikuchi of his own. The Belgian maestro then tried to take things to the next level with a shifty (shaka-into-pushloop) but on this occasion couldn’t quite pull it off. After much deliberation from the judges it was eventually announcement that Van Broeckhoven had come out on top by way of a 3:2 decision – such was the closeness of the duel.

Team Pryde’s Yentel Caers also deserves a mention after breaking into the top ten for the first time in his career – in joint ninth position.

Overall Results Mondial du Vent PWA World Cup – Men’s Freestyle

1st Steven Van Broeckhoven
2nd Jose ‚Gollito‘ Estredo
3rd Kiri Thode
…
9th Yentel Caers

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