Where: Toro Andaluz, Tarifa
When: 27-30 March
Winner: Normen Gunzlein

The organisers of the first EFPT event of the season were praying for the Poniente wind on the morning of 27th March. Three hours of wind later and the single elimination of 32 sailors was completed. The level of sailing was outstanding and there were a few surprises as the heats progressed. Most high profile victim was EFPT 2007 Champion Andre Paskowski who lost to Michi Robmeier in the last 8.

It was also hard to work out who was who on the water with all the sponsor changes that have gone on over the winter. Kevin Mevissen wanted to prove to his new sponsors (RRD Boards) that he was worth the money and made it to the final in full ‘meev’ style despite having trained in waves all winter in Cape Town. Kevin beat Remko De Weerd (also on new kit Tabou/Gaastra) and Egor Popretinsky, the crazy Russian, who has really improved over the winter break, before taking down Paskowski’s victor Michi Robmeier. But Normen Gunzlein was unstoppable; really slick sailing taking out Andreas Olanderson in the last 8 then Antxon Otaegui in the semis and Kevin in the final.

So the top 4 from the single elimination were:

1. Normen Gunzlein
2. Kevin Mevissen
3. Antxon Otaegui
4. Michi Robmeier

So all eyes were on Andre Paskowksi; the champion was surely going to make a comeback. But he managed to miss his heat following a ‘misunderstanding’ with his fellow competitor Egor Popretinsky. We would love to know what the ‘misunderstanding’ was all about but it certainly put the savvy German off his pace and a bad event all round for Andre.

However, Egor was not too smug for long as he then lost to Belgian youngster Steven Van Broeckhoven who was being cheered on by a load of beachside Belgian tourists. This boy was on fire! Firstly no one had heard of him and secondly he went to beat 6 top riders in a row including Remko, Egor and Michi Robmeier to finish fourth overall.
The wind died off early as predicted so the double couldn’t be completed. However, the Levante wind was forecast for the following day and when it did blow it, the double continued but this time no surprises as Antxon, Kevin and Normen all defended their podium positions. The organisers tried to run a second single elimination half an hour later but the wind decided enough was enough and although the event had one more day to run, it was clear to the sailors that the event was over hence the wild celebrations that evening at Cafe Del Mar in Tarifa City.

Next stop for the tour: Surf Worldcup in conjunction with the PWA in Podersdorf, Austria from 29 April to 4 May.

1. Normen Gunzlein (G-186) JP/Neil Pryde
2. Kevin Mevissen (H-79) RRD Boards
3. Antxon Otaegui (E-169) JP/Neil Pryde
4. Steven Van Broeckhoven (B-72) F2 Boards
5. Michael Robmeier (AUT-256) Exocet/The Loft
6. Egor Popretinsky (RUS-11) JP/Neil Pryde
Joint 7th. Remko de Weerd (H-23) Tabou/Gaastra
Joint 7th Andre Paskowski (G-2) Fanatic/North Sails

To follow the whole Tour and check out the rider profiles go to www.efpt.net

PHOTOS courtesy of EFPT/DaMike