Conditions here this morning were a huge contrast to the past two days with relatively light winds for Pozo standards, gusting through anywhere between 15 and 25 knots. With only small chop rolling into the bay, there was no question that freestyle was the order of the day and action commenced promptly at 10am.

Campello started his opening heats sailing well below his normal standards but his level picked up throughout the day as he adjusted to the conditions. Advancing through heats against Robert Sand (F2, Arrows), Orjan Jensen (North), Antoine Albeau (AHD, Neil Pryde) and Kauli Seadi (AHD, Naish) Campello’s huge repertoire included shakas, switch stance clew first flakas, stingers (goita off back of wave) and numerous spock variations.

On the other half of the draw Caribbean maestro Tonky Frans demolished his opposition in on route to the final in formidable style. His list of victims were Spanish sailor Frank Figueroa (Neil Pryde, JP), Konan Lang (Naish) of Brazil, Dutch young gun Kevin Mevissen (JP, Neil Pryde) and Austrian freestyle specialist Christian Sammer (F2, Arrows).

The semi final between Campello and Kauli Seadi on the top half of the draw was the critical heat of the day. Both sailors were equally matched in terms of radical tricks and slick style. After mediocre performances in his opening heats Campello by now had moved up into a new level and was throwing down every trick in his huge, varied and extremely difficult repertoire. Brazilian Samba sensation, Kauli Seadi was also firing on all cylinders and in contrast to last year, has also stepped up a gear by consistently nailing his exceptionally technical moves. Both sailors sailed brilliantly but the decision went to Campello who nailed a sick shaka, which perhaps was the move that gave him the edge.

The final between Campello and Frans was one of the highest scoring heats of the day with Campello by now shifting up into overdrive mode and landing every single move in his routine. Two of the five-man judges panel awarded Campello maximum points for diversity, technical skill and overall impression. Despite a superb performance from Tonky Frans, which included one handed flakas, one legged forwards and spock diablos the decision was unanimous in Campello's favor.

Taking an early exit today after a relatively poor performance in his heat against Venezuelan young gun, Alexis Zaballa (Mistral, North), was current freestyle world champion Matt Pritchard (Gaastra). Pritchard seemed to be struggling with the adjustment from yesterdays screaming winds to today’s gusty 5.3m conditions. The twenty nine year old Californian sailor failed to produce one of his normal rock solid performances and was consequently dispatched in the third round. Zaballa was stoked to have the scalp of the world champion under his belt but then went down to Christian Sammer of Austria in his next heat.

In the women’s freestyle Iballa Moreno (Mistral, North) beat her sister Daida (Mistral, North) in the semis and then went on to beat reigning freestyle world champion Karin Jaggi in the final. The key heat between the sisters all boiled down to a matter of consistency, both twins nailed forward loops and some impressive jumps but Iballa managed to gain the advantage by landing her flat water tricks. The final was also a close run affair but Jaggi failed to land two attempted grubbies which cost her dearly and left the door wide open for Moreno to capitalize and take victory.

The last hour of competition today was available for live viewing on the Internet on www.high.tv. Check out the website for details of further live broadcast which should be taking place daily for the rest of the competition. With four days remaining here in Gran Canaria there is still all to play for in both freestyle and wave competitions. Stay tuned on www.pwaworldtour.com for all the news, latest results and pictures, which are, updated daily after each day of action.

RICARDO CAMPELLO (JP, Neil Pryde)
In the first heats of the day I was not really confident with myself and the conditions were kind of strange. Later in the afternoon at high tide, it was more flat and I felt that I was improving all the time. The semi final against Kauli was my best heat of the day. I think we both sailed really well. I had an OK heat in the final but I think I sailed better in the semi final. I am pretty happy about today and I hope I keep winning like that!

IBALLA MORENO (Mistral, North)
I am stoked, I did not sail my best but am super happy that I won. I felt a little bit bad that I beat my sister in the early rounds. I felt bad that I won but that’s life. There is more competition to come and I am sure that she will come back. In the final I tried to make it simple at the beginning and take my risks at the end. I was on a 4.5m and a little underpowered so I was worried about going about going out of the competition area. I did my best and managed to win so I am very happy about that!

Results after one Dingle Mens freestyle elimination.
1. Ricardo Campello (JP, Neil Pryde)
2. Tonky Frans (Gaastra, AHD)
3. Kauli Seadi (AHD, Naish)
4. Christian Sammer (F2, Arrows)

Womens Single Elimination Freestyle
1. Iballa Moreno (Mistral, North)
2. Karin Jaggi (F2, Arrows)
3. Angela Martinez (JP, Neil Pryde)
4. Anne Marie Reichman (Naish)

Source: PWA