Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup - Day 2
by Chris Yates 6 Jul 20:47 UTC
5-13 July 2025
Philip Köster on Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup Day 2 © Delfour Photografer
The 37th edition of the Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup delivered a thrilling second day this Sunday, once again marked by strong winds and the talent of the world's best windsurfers.
The men's professional category took centre stage, with the double elimination providing all the action in Pozo Izquierdo, where the Atlantic, true to its reputation, unleashed its full force: gusts exceeding 30 knots and waves approaching two metres high.
The event kept spectators on the edge of their seats until the very last second. The double elimination final left unforgettable moments, with an exciting duel between two windsurfing legends: Spanish-German Philip Köster and five-time world champion Marcilio Browne from Brazil. Philip lost some equipment when heading out with a 3.7 sail, which allowed the Brazilian to win and force a super final — an opportunity that Köster did not waste. "Losing my equipment actually gave me a chance, as I went back out with a sail better suited to the wind conditions, and that helped me claim the win," said the brand-new champion of the Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup.
After winning the single elimination, Köster had the advantage, but Browne was not ready to give up and proved it from the first heat of the double super final, where he prevailed and forced a second clash. In that deciding super final, Köster delivered an excellent tactical performance on the upwind side, scoring a total of 31.38 points to Browne's 26.38. Browne noted how challenging the waves were as the tide dropped as the day advanced.
A thrilling first final elimination
Heat 49 was a true spectacle on the waves, with manoeuvres that electrified the crowd. Köster wowed the fans with a pushloop forward executed almost without a ramp, earning 9 points. Browne responded with a flawless backloop near the bunker and a massive pushloop forward that the judges awarded the maximum score of 10 points.
Köster wasn't far behind, landing a stylish frontside 360 along with powerful backside hits, but luck wasn't on his side: a jump that promised a good score ended badly, sending his board into a hard-to-reach area and forcing him to scramble over rocks in search of spare gear — grabbing a 3.4 sail from his partner, compared to his rival's 3.5.
While Köster made his way back out, Browne kept adding to his tally, including a double forward that solidified his lead. The gap between them was less than 7 points, and the crowd kept urging the Spanish-German on, but time was not on his side. With just four minutes remaining, Köster tried a last-minute comeback, but time ran out, and Browne sealed the heat with a perfect double forward in the final minute, setting up the super final.
Marino Gil, third
Today, Gran Canarian rider Marino Gil successfully defended his third place in the individual ranking after beating Catalan Marc Paré, who ultimately finished fourth in the double elimination. "Another day with lots of wind and waves. I'm very happy to have finished third at home," said the Agüimes rider.
Gil faced Brazilian Marcilio Browne in a spectacular heat marked by tough conditions, with the wind and waves pushing both riders to their limits. Browne opened with a flawless pushloop forward for 10 points, setting the tone for a high-level battle. The duel continued with top-quality moves: Gil landed a frontside 360, while Browne fought to reconnect with the wave on his attempt. The Brazilian extended his lead with a big hit with under five minutes to go, but Gil kept fighting, pulling off a double forward to stay in contention.
The coast of Santa Lucía de Tirajana once again provided the dream stage for fans of this extreme sport. The riders skilfully tackled conditions that tested not only their technical ability but also their physical and mental endurance on a relentless Sunday.
Liam Dunkerbeck's feat
Among the day's highlights was the feat of young Gran Canarian Liam Dunkerbeck, who delivered a memorable performance. Starting from a lower position in the double elimination, Liam staged a spectacular comeback, advancing round after round to finally secure a well-deserved fifth place. His duel against Catalan Marc Paré was one of the day's most thrilling. Dunkerbeck hit the water determined to set a fierce pace and initially opened a gap, but the accumulated fatigue — it was already his sixth heat of the day — began to take its toll. Paré, fresher after making his debut on this second day thanks to his strong performance on Saturday, managed to withstand the local's charge and clinch victory in a clash that drew applause from the crowd. "It's been a really tough day. I gave it my all and I'm really happy with this fifth place at home," said the Gran Canarian windsurfer.
With the wind as an unwavering ally and Pozo Izquierdo reaffirming its legend as a mecca of world windsurfing, the Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup promises more thrills in the days ahead. The show goes on.
Tomorrow, the action is expected to continue with the women's category, where a total of 26 riders will compete to strengthen their chances in this prestigious event.
Visit from the Gran Canaria Tourism councillor
This Sunday, the event received a visit from the Tourism Councillor of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, Carlos Álamo, who highlighted the role of this "iconic" competition in showcasing the island's strengths: "our connection with the sea, the wind, and above all, our passion for the sport." He emphasised that unlike other sports, the Canarian participants here "not only compete, but are also the ones to beat." Finally, he expressed his commitment to continuing to support such events, which put Gran Canaria in the spotlight of international sport.
This event enjoys institutional backing from the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, through its Tourism and Insular Sports Institute departments, the Government of the Canary Islands through Promotur, and the Santa Lucía de Tirajana City Council, as well as main sponsorship from the Gloria Palace Hotel, whose commitment to active tourism and sustainable development has been key to the championship's growth.
The 37th edition of the Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup is also supported by a wide network of partners, including Promotur, Instituto Tecnológico de Canarias, 7iFilm.com, Canary Blu, Poema del Mar, Ejove Lab, Bazar Ani, TVE, Bahía Grill, Jaklar, WS, As Acción, Surf Magazine, Wind, Windsurf TV, and Daily Dose.
A must-see event for windsurfing enthusiasts. For those who can't attend in person to witness the best nautical acrobatics, the event can be followed via live streaming on www.pwaworldtour.com, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.