PWA World Cup Tenerife: World Championship decision in Slalom X and excitement in the waves - the preview

The PWA Tour will be in Tenerife from 1 to 10 August. The World Cup organised by Dany Bruch has full five-star status again this year, and the men's World Championship title in Slalom X will also be awarded. Unlike on Fuerte, there are no set days for Wave or Slalom X, but the respective discipline is decided depending on the conditions

Slalom X - home advantage and sponsor trouble

The men compete for the world championship on Tenerife - for budget reasons, the women are not competing here and had to award their title at just one event on Fuerte. The men have two events, but there is very little room for error. As the defending champion and with his Fuerte victory in his pocket, Pierre Mortefon is naturally the top favourite going into the race. However, the Frenchman has had to change his sails; after his previous outfitter was kicked out of the PWA, he has been quickly taken on by NeilPryde. However, it remains to be seen whether a few training sessions will be enough to adapt to the new sails. A small consolation: the Pryde cloths are currently considered the fastest sails - so the forced change could also be an upgrade.

• Phantom out of the PWA - Mortefon on NeilPryde, but "no sponsorship"

His closest rival is Matteo Iachino, who lives on Tenerife and therefore has a home advantage. The Italian is extremely consistent and has always been at the front on Fuerte - but has always lost out in direct duels with Mortefon. Maciek Rutkowski and Jordy Vonk, who have both been coming to Tenerife for winter training at TWS for many years, also have a kind of home advantage. Bruno Martini, Amado Vrieswijk, Nico Prien and many others also don't have to do much training before El Medano. Rutkowski in particular is extremely hungry for a win, he looked extremely strong on Fuerte and had to pay dearly for small mistakes. There is still a medium-sized question mark over Jordy Vonk as to whether he is 100% fit again after his crash on Fuerte or whether his damaged shoulder is still holding him back. You should never rule out Bruno Martini, who brings a lot of speed to the water with "cojones" and, if in doubt, a bigger sail, and Nico Prien, who also showed his speed time and again on Fuerte. It will also be exciting to see whether the expected lighter wind will result in different hierarchies than in the Sotavento hack!

Waveriding Ladies - Duel of the generations

According to the entry list, Pozo winner Daida Moreno is not taking part in Tenerife - if the breakaway team rider were to compete, she would almost automatically be the top favourite after her impressive comeback. However, all eyes will be on Sarah-Quita Offringa. She is the only rider in the entire tour to be competing in all three Canary Islands Cups in all disciplines - if she has enough energy reserves, the only way to victory is through her. After all, after her two World Championship triumphs on Fuerte, she has a lot to gain from the forecast (see below) a few more days to regenerate.

Lurking behind her are two riders of the next generation, Alexia Kiefer and Sol Degrieck. Alexia in particular has already proven several times that she can also finish on the podium in high-calibre events. Of course, Lina Erpenstein, last year's Tenerife winner, also belongs there. However, after her foot injury in Chile, she is not yet back to 100% and is entering the event without great expectations. Nevertheless, she is of course also a hot candidate for the top three. If the focus is on waveriding, Maria Behrens can also go a long way to the front, she also knows El Medano very well and can show off her smooth style on the waves even more than in Pozo.

The youngsters are particularly well represented in Tenerife: with Trine Gobisch, Helena Lale, Lizzlotte Schilling, Natsuki Wakasa and Isabel van Noesel, a large part of the junior squad has travelled directly from Pozo to Tenerife. And with Maria Andres and Justyna Sniady, there are also two very experienced wave riders who also know how to finish on the podium!

Waveriding men - Do it again, Marc!

Of course, Marcilio Browne is in the form of his life - as he has been for many years - and is somehow always the top favourite. Even though he "only" came second in Pozo, the Brazilian is as strong as a bear in almost all conditions and is always perfectly prepared. But Marc Paré not only won in Tenerife last year, he is getting stronger and stronger and wants to get to the top! Perhaps the somewhat tamer conditions of El Medano suit him a little better than the Pozo-Hack - he can certainly go right to the top!

Philip Köster is also in full flow after his victory in Pozo and will certainly be looking to add to his tally. However, he will be hoping for a lot of wind, which is not expected until the end of the week. You should never write off Victor Fernandez, who is still riding at the front even at over 40. His consistency and outstanding experience could be the decisive factor in moving far up the field; he is currently experiencing a kind of second spring. With Liam Dunkerbeck, Antoine Martin and Alessio Stillrich, there are several riders lurking in the second row who are hoping that everything will finally come together and have what it takes to spring a surprise.

Speaking of surprises: almost the entire Tenerife crew appears on the entry lists. Jochen Stolz, Martin Ovsik, Tim van Dam Sanchidrian and Nikodem Merlak know the spot like the back of their hands - will any of them create a small sensation? The locals also include Julian Salmonn, who is certainly hungry to build on his successes from last season.

• Monster waves on the north coast: Big wave day on Tenerife - Cojones!

The forecast: Hoping for the second weekend

After two spectacular events on Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura, the trade wind seems to be taking a short break. Hardly any wind is forecast for the start of the World Cup on Tenerife, and the wind direction will change several times a day. The weather situation is only expected to stabilise over the course of the week, with the wind shifting to its usual north-easterly direction and steadily increasing. Experience shows that it often blows noticeably stronger than the forecasts promise.