IWT/PWA World Cup Chile: Drama and triumphs on the way to the finals - Erpenstein injured

Everything actually went according to plan for Lina Erpenstein, who wanted to defend her event victory from last year in Chile. After winning round 1, she also won her quarter-final and was ahead in the semi-final. However, as the livestream showed, she came surfing towards land during the heat and had to be carried out of the water. It is not yet clear exactly what happened, but the pictures suggest a suspected foot injury.

So the women's final has to take place without Erpenstein, but Alexia Kiefer was able to get back into the race via the Redemption Round and will compete against Sarah-Quita Offringa, Jane Seman and Maria Morales Navarro tomorrow. Alexia was beaming after her heat: "Oh, I'm so tired! But it was great! Unbelievable! I'm super happy and in the final with my best friend, I couldn't be happier!" Morales is in a final for the first time and had perhaps the most emotional reaction of the day: "Woahhhh, I can't believe it! It's my first final ever! I don't even know what to say! Thank you to everyone watching me... I still can't believe it... it was so much fun! Oh man, thank you, thank you!"

Despite the pressure, 25-time world champion Sarah-Quita Offringa from Aruba kept her nerve: "I got a bit nervous, but managed to stay cool enough. I'm happy with my turns... my goal was to get to the final, so I'm very happy about that!" Jane Seman from Australia shone with style and flair and celebrated her comeback after a difficult third day: "I went out with my small boards despite the low water because I wanted to fit into the tight sections... Had some nice aerials, so yeah, it was fun. I had a great day today, it makes up for yesterday!"

Juban and Cloarec in the final despite injuries

Camille Juban put in an outstanding performance in the men's event - despite a broken toe that he suffered three weeks ago. "I knew it would be tough, with really strong opponents. And then there was the broken toe from three weeks ago - it took a lot of mental strength," he said afterwards. Juban is now in the final against Marcilio Browne, Marc Paré and Baptiste Cloarec, who is also injured: "A week and a half ago, the X-ray showed a fracture in my foot and the doctors said I shouldn't compete... but now I'm just over the moon!"

Spanish crowd favourite Marc Paré was beaming after his performance: "I'm super, super happy. It was a dream of mine to reach the final here - it's practically my favourite place in the world. What can I say?" Four-time and reigning world champion Marcilio Browne from Brazil once again proved his calmness under pressure: "Luckily I was able to catch the right waves a few times. I saw Marc do some good rides, so yeah, I'm really happy and stoked to be in the final."

Köster stopped by the fading wind

The day at the World Cup in Chile was long, and after the first round the day before, the men went through almost an entire elimination from the round of 16 to the second semi-final at sunset. Always at the front: Philip Köster, who had only arrived in Chile shortly before the start after the birth of his second daughter and won his heats with top scores. Only the fading evening wind stopped him and he had to give way to the lightweights Juban and Cloarec.

Victor Fernandez and Bernd Roediger also finished in the semi-finals, while other top riders such as Liam Dunkerbeck and Marino Gil Gherardi were eliminated in the quarter-finals. Julian Salmonn also lost out to Paré and Cloarec.

With this line-up, the final day of the Chile World Cup once again promises spectacular action. "World champions, up-and-coming stars and local legends will battle it out for the titles in a thrilling showdown. The windsurfing world is looking forward to Matanzas," promises the IWT full-bodied

Watch the livestream of the World Cup in Chile