text: Yentel Caers (JP/NeilPryde) defended his position in the Foilstyle Double Elimination on the penultimate day of the 2023 EFPT in Vieste. After the wind built up from zero to hero in less than 15 minutes, multiple riders attempted to get back to the top in the comeback round, providing for some of the best Foilstyle action we’ve ever seen. Lennart Neubauer (Starboard/Severne/Maui Ultra Fins) took second place, with Steven Van Broeckhoven (Starboard/Gunsails) in 3rd. Watch the day 4 highlight video and read the full report below.
  The forecast for the day was clear: there was a front coming after the rain which would provide good winds for the continuation of the double elimination in the Foilstyle discipline. Once the wind turned and started filling in, the action was straight into the battle for 5th between Jamie Howard (Severne) and Tim Gerdes (Severne). The two crossed foils, with Howard really putting in an effort with a very nice Shaka. Gerdes still managed to take the win though, starting his comeback. The Dutchman was tipped as a potential winner for this event, and now had the chance to prove himself. Putting in some monster Air Funnels and smooth Burners, he was consistent and managed to beat Sam Esteve (JP/NeilPryde). He was then up against Steven Van Broeckhoven, who clearly had to pull everything from his competitive experience in his heat against the storming Gerdes.
  Fatigue was starting to show though, and the Dutchman struggled to fill his scoresheet on Starboard Tack. After four crashed Air Funnel attempts, some resulting in spectacular dismounts, he ended up missing a score and hence lost to the 5 times European Champion Freestyle Van Broeckhoven. The Belgian veteran of the scene was proving to be remarkably adaptable, impressing with some massive Kono’s. One of them was so radical, that he almost managed to land it back onto the foil, with only the momentum of the landing impact throwing him off. He was now up against current Freestyle tour leader Lennart Neubauer, to battle for the second spot on the podium.
  The Greek rider was not phased by his opponent though. Managing to beat him before in Bonaire, and then again for the event win in Austria, Neubauer was ready to take on the challenge. Stomping countless modern freestyle power moves on the foil, he left Van Broeckhoven no choice but to be content with his 3rd place. He took some pointers from Gerdes’ sailing, and also started adding some flare in the form of going one handed on some of the moves.
  In the final against Yentel Caers, the pressure was high on the young Greek. Was he going to claim his second event win? Unfortunately he suffered a similar fate to Gerdes, and was missing a move at the end of the heat due to four consecutive Air Funnel crashes. This move seems to be much harder than the burner, but is incredibly stylish and properly rewarded by the judges, hence the riders taking risks to attempt it. Caers put on a similarly consistent show like during the single elimination, and managed to defend his position at the top of the Foilstyle rankings.
  With the conditions still being contestable, race director Emi Galindo decided to have a go at another single elimination. A couple of heats were completed before the wind faded, with Lucie Honegger (Severne) and Youp Schmit (GA-Sails/Tabou) stealing the show. Honegger was inspiring all the foiling girls out there, showing some serious commitment and taking off for Backloops and carving the foil through 360’s. On the other side, Schmit impressed with a beautiful Shaka, getting rewarded with the crowds and fellow competitors roar of approval.
  With the wind now completely gone, the day was brought to an end. You can rewatch all the action as it happened in the livestream re-watch below. We will be live again tomorrow at 8:30 AM CET with a morning show. We expect wind for the Mens and Womens Freestyle fleet, so make sure to tune in!
  Daily livestream schedule:
  19:00 CET – Daily wrap-up show with features and interviews
  Anytime it’s Windy – We’re Live!
  Foilstyle Mixed Fleet Double Elimination Result
  Rank | First name | Last name | Nationality | Sailsponsor | Boardsponsor |
  1 | Yentel | Caers | Belgium | Neilpryde | JP-Australia |
  2 | Lennart | Neubauer | Greece | Severne | Starboard |
  3 | Steven | Van Broeckhoven | Belgium | Gunsails | Starboard |
  4 | Tim | Gerdes | Netherlands | Severne | Severne |
  5 | Sam | Esteve | France | Neilpryde | JP-Australia |
  6 | Jamie | Howard | UK | Severne | Severne |
  7 | Bodhi | Kempen | Netherlands | Severne | Severne |
  7 | Tigo | Kort | Netherlands | Neilpryde | JP-Australia |
  9 | Lucie | Honegger | Switzerland | Severne | Severne |
  9 | Youp | Schmit | Bonaire | GA-Sails | Tabou |