Sea, Sail & Surf news
2002 PWA Freestyle Qualifier Costa Brava
Six heats of the PWA Costa Brava freestyle qualifier have taken place
Two more days to go
samedi 15 juin 2002 –
The first heat kicked off around 6pm and with the wind blowing slightly offshore the smooth water made for idyllic flat-water freestyle conditions. Tati Frans (Gaastra, AHD), Tonki Frans (Gaastra, AHD) and Christiaan Gerard Dammers (Starboard, Gaastra) the Caribbean trio all advanced comfortably into the second round. All three sailors were nailing some extremely smooth looking moves and for sure are going to pose major threats here in Costa Brava. In the next round Tonki will face French young gun, Julien Taboulet (JP, Neil Pryde), Tati will go up against Pozo specialist, Orjan Jensen (North, Proof) and Christiaan will go head to head with Brazilian ’Samba sensation’, Kauli Seadi (Naish boards, Naish sails).
CHRISTIAAN GERARD DAMMERS (AHD, GAASTRA) : "I loved it today, the winds picked up and our team kicked some butt ! The wind took us all by surprise, it was a little bit gusty and a little bit choppy but the conditions were good for competition. I just hope it blows tomorrow !"
Also advancing into the second round was Chris Audsley (Mistral) of Britain who defeated local Spanish sailor Nacho Rocha (JP, Neil Pryde). Audsley busted out a worm burner, a spock 540 and several well executed transitions during his heat and goes through to face Martin Van Geenhoven (Mistral, North) of Canada.
Other impressive performances today came from Colin Sifferlen (Mistral, North) of New Caledonia, French sailor Baptiste Gossien (JP, Neil Pryde) and Luigi Colombo (RRD) of Italy. Most of the big guns who are competing here in Spain were given byes into the second round and did not compete today. Josh Stone (JP, Neil Pryde) Kauli Seadi (Naish boards, Naish sails) and Vidar Jensen (North) were all out on the water however taking advantage of practice session.
COLIN SIFFERLEN (Mistral, North) : "It was good today, doing nothing is boring and I was glad I competed. I feel very relaxed now. I don’t know who I have tomorrow, I don’t actually care, I am just out there sailing my best and doing it for myself"
The event here in Costa Brava has become one of the sailors favorite stopovers on the PWA freestyle tour largely due to the incredible hospitality of the local organizers. Every evening the sailors have been treated to local food and wine in various restaurants around the area. During the day when the winds have not been blowing there plenty of alternative activities around the Ballene Alegre 2 camp where the sailors are all staying. French sailor Bruno Andre (AHD, Gaastra) seems pretty hot on the tennis courts, Yann Sune (Fanatic, Arrows) also of France has proved to be the top footballer while British sailor Chris Audsley (Mistral) is claiming to be the table tennis champ !
We still have two more days to go here in Costa Brava and according to the locals we could be in for big winds over the weekend ! With some competition finally in the bag the atmosphere has become far tenser around the camp and sailors are preparing for a major showdown and an exciting climax to the event !
Dans la même rubrique
2002 PWA Freestyle Qualifier Costa Brava : The wind here in the south of Spain is currently blowing from the south
2002 PWA Freestyle Qualifier : Perfect Freestyle conditions today at Podersdorf
PWA WAVE GRAND PRIX 2002 : Wind and waves failed in Vargas
PWA WAVE GRAND PRIX 2002 : Calm before the storm !
