The PWA World tour finds itself back in Gran Canaria once again for the third Slalom 42 event for the year. Gran Canaria is a special place because of its high winds and challenging conditions. Kevin knows that over a week long regatta consistency will pay off and you have to stay focused for every round, every heat, each start and each jibe.

After a week of grueling racing in Pozo and 14 rounds of high wind slalom, Kevin Pritchard saves his best till the last day to put himself into second place behind current race leader Antione Albeau and just ahead of his brother Matt. Kevin had been scoring thirds and fourths most of the week and had been fighting hard with Matt Pritchard, Antione Albeau and the giant of the Pozo Bjorn Dunkerbeck for the tops spots. Kevin was lying in fourth place coming into the last day of the event and needed to stay in front of his brother in the two rounds to secure second or possibly first place.

In race 13 Kevin placed second place behind Ben Van Der Steen, while brother Matt was close behind in third place. Needing to step it up a notch for the final round, Kevin true to form and whilst being one of the coolest competitors under pressure to enter the PWA World Tour, put the hammer down on the final round. With his TR-3 5.1 in his hands, Kevin took a clean start and made no mistakes around the course in the 40 plus knots of wind to win the vital final round and shot himself into second overall for the event. Albeau finished second in the heat to secure the event win, while Matt placed third in the round and got third in the event.

Kevin commented- "A good day for me. I am super stoked...today I had a second and finally had a first in the last round of the day. It was a nail biter... it all came down to today. I was in fourth going into the last day with Bjorn, Matt and Antoine all fighting for positions. In the final round 14, I was equipped with my 5.1 TR-3 and my Starboard Isonic 87, I blasted down the first leg just shouting at myself... "go Kev go! you can do it.... Hold it on!!" and that is exactly what I did. I rounded in first and I claimed my first race win of the event. I was stoked, what a feeling!. I made it to every final, ended up throwing out a 5th place... Super consistant, which is the name of the game. We have one day off and then to Fuerte for some more racing. Big congrats to Antoine and Matt for a great race.

Photo : PWA/Carter