Ricardo Campello (JP, Neil Pryde) and Karin Jaggi (F2, Arrows) emerge top of the pile at the end of day one of the Professional Windsurfing Association Freestyle finals in Bonaire.

Despite yesterday’s storm and torrential rainfall, the trademark Bonaire sunshine returned for the first day of the PWA Freestyle Finals. Today’s blue skies, 80 degree temperatures, crystal clear flat water with the usual 10-20 knot trade winds confirmed Bonaire as a freestyle paradise and a very justified host for the 2003 freestyle finals. The level of competition this year reflects the perfect conditions with competitors pulling off incredible moves such as toucan 360s, chachos, switch-stance one-handed flakas and shuvits into spocks. If you don’t know what these moves mean, you haven’t lived.

As Ricardo Campello flew through today’s heats to secure his top spot he had to twice beat last year’s King of the Caribbean, Bonaire local Tonky Frans (Gaastra, AHD). In the women’s heats, Karin Jaggi also had to sail twice to overcome Daida Moreno as well as her sister Iballa, another serious contender for the title.

The only British hope for the men’s title, Robby Swift (JP, Neil Pryde), had a disappointing opening round, going down against an amazing performance from another Bonaire local Taty Frans (Gaastra, AHD) in the quarter finals. Disappointment continued as Robby finished in ninth place today after going down to Nicolas Akgazciyan (Neil Pryde, AHD). The young French sailor performed a perfect chacho while Swift seemed to be struggling with his landings and sailed a heat well below his normal standards.

At the end of the first day, Ricardo Campello of Brazil was way out in the lead for the King of the Caribbean and the overall PWA World Champion titles. Having nailed 13 moves in one five-minute session, who can argue? With six days to go, the competition is far from over although Ricardo definitely seems to have the confidence to pull it off:

“Everything worked out well, the conditions were nice and it looks like my dreams are coming true!”

In the women’s competition, things are less clear-cut and Karin Jaggi had to fight hard for her coveted place in the first double elimination final. With the Moreno sisters still battling for the title and Iballa as the reigning champion, the race remains wide open.

For more information go to www.pwaworldtour.com .