Seeing as I missed the whole Brawzinho-signing-for-Fanatic story yesterday, and the fact I'm on-the-road and unable to publish a full Daily Digest, I thought I'd drop some other news instead. (See www.ContinentSeven.com for a round-up including behind-the-scenes from the IFCA Slalom comp in Cape Town.)
So, the scoop is that apparently Francisco Goya is trying for a wildcard to the Cabo Verde PWA World Cup- his first elite-level event in what must be over 5-yrs?
I'm not sure if he'll have to qualify - which wasn't a problem for Kai Katchadourian in 2008, and fellow Goya 'executive' Keith Teboul who also charged at Ponta Preta during the inaugural and epically superhuman contest back in 2007.
It's my gut feeling that, if this rumor is true, that this year's event could represent a turnaround from last season's affair which definitely provided a springboard for the younger crew such as Porcella and Denel. Perhaps 2009 could be the 'Year of the retirees?' (The old geezers.)
Scott Mckercher stepped-down from the tour at the end of 2008, but if he rocked-up next month he could make an ironic impact along with Goya. What if even 'The King' himself rolled into town? It could certainly put the judges under pressure anyhow.
What I do know though is that the committees that decide the wild cards try to select younger and fresher blood - especially from those that they believe to be intent on making a serious career out of the sport rather than one-off 'celebrity drop-ins'. (Not that 'The Boss' of PP, Josh Angulo, is likely to allow anyone to drop-in on him any time soon. And rightly so too.
Speaking of Cabo Verde I was 'gutted' when a 'friend' pointed-out the size of my beer belly on the PWA's pic-of-the-day. (Fat lily-skinned bloke in hat to side of tower at 'Little Ho'okipa.) Obviously I've lost a lot of weight since then. Right. I'm off to the gym.
Brawzinho has also signed on with North Sails. I guess it was a package deal. `It sounds like Mistral is letting everyone go including Mark Nelson. I hope this isn't the end of a proud brand.
Posted by: Koop | January 11, 2009 at 07:04 AM