Day by day review:
Day 1
The 1999 Catalunya Costa Brava PWA Freestyle Grand Prix,
which begins today (09.06.99), is the second Freestyle event of the 1999 PWA World Tour.
This event sees the return of the Professional Windsurfers Association World Tour to
mainland Spain, and takes the Tour to a new and exciting destination - Roses Bay.
The Event Site
The competition site is just half an hour from the French
border and one hour from the cosmopolitan city of Barcelona. Massive crowds are
anticipated and the local organisers are predicting the biggest crowds a windsurfing event
in mainland Spain has ever seen.
For the PWA sailors the Spanish leg of the World Tour
will also provide the perfect opportunity for them to experience, first hand, a little
culture. One of Spain's most famous artists, Salvadore Dali, lived and worked in the
Catalunya Costa Brava area.
The Catalunya Costa Brava region is also one of Spain's
most important tourist destinations and therefore offers a wide variety of sport and
entertainment for visitors, from skydiving to scuba diving, from kart racing to
unbelievable partying, the area has something for everyone.
The Conditions
The region is well known for its Northerly winds, called
"Tramontana" by the locals. These winds are very active during the winter and
spring. They average Force 6, but can blow up to Force 8-9. During the summer
south-easterly and south-westerly thermal winds called "Garbí" and
"Xaloc", are common, reaching Force 4 to 6.
The Fleet
The event carries full Grand Prix points and has
therefore attracted a very strong fleet. E-11, Bjorn Dunkerbeck, the first PWA Freestyle
World Champion, will be here to defend his title from last years runner up US-10, Matt
Pritchard, one of the strongest freestyle sailors on the Tour. The hugely talented
showman, USA-6, Josh Stone, is sure to be a real crowd pleaser here.
Other names to watch out for are K-66, Nik Baker and his
brother Ant (K-77), who have both been firing at the opening events this season. The
Jensen's will be the other siblings to keep an eye on. Vidar, who placed third in the
Freestyle ranking last year, sailing for Norway and Orjan representing Spain will be doing
their very best to take the first Freestyle title of the year.
There are also several local Spanish stars competing here
at Roses Bay. Eduardo Bellini E-9, the National Wave and Freestyle Champion, heads the
Spanish contingent. Stephan Etienne E-66 and Ivan Aguado E-8, a local sailor from
Barcelona, now living in Tarifa, will both be hoping to make an impression on the PWA
scene.
The Weather Forecast
All weather forecasts predict epic conditions. On
Wednesday (09.06.99), the Tramontana (northerly winds) that averages force 6 to 7 are
expected to blow at full strength, so we can expect a blasting start to the contest. For
the weekend the forecasters promise strong thermal winds and sun. A real treat for the
thousands of spectators expected to flood into the area to see their PWA heroes in action.
And when the sun goes down ......
The Catalunya Costa Brava organisers have everything
ready for the perfect show. During the day, windsurfing action, and when the sun goes
down.... the partying begins. Rock bands, beach parties, and fireworks are just some of
the treats to look forward to.
Day 2 - First Day Of Competition
At ten in the morning all sailors gathered at the beach
to check conditions and listen to the first daily skippers meeting led by Frank Roguet,
the Race Manager for this event. The expected Tramontana did not appear as forecasted, and
so the sailors had to wait for the sun to warm up the land which in turn would bring the
breeze.
During the morning sailors used the time to prepare all
the gear they will need for this event and attend numerous media interviews. The Spanish
television journalists were anxious to get to meet the world's top windsurfers and kept
most of top ranked sailors occupied for the morning.
To mark the opening night of the competition a gala
dinner was held in the local town of Roses, which gives its name to the bay which is
staging the PWA Freestyle competition. Therefore a few sailors, who only recently arrived
in Europe from Maui were not too disheartened by the late start and could fully
acclimatise before the competition begins.
There have also been some late European arrivals.
Especially sailors flying in from the Canaries. Izquierdo showed up late on registration
day as Pozo had epic conditions and the sailors did not want to miss them.
"It's only about three times a year do you get to
see Pozo with mast high waves", said Marcos Pérez E-7, who also talked about Roses
Bay in glowing terms saying, "I know this place, I have been told by Bjorn that when
the Tramontana shows up it is like Pozo, so here I am ready for action, but now I'm
enjoying a bit of rest after my flight yesterday and a great welcoming night party."
At two o'clock the wind started to build and all sailors
started getting their gear ready for action. Some competitors jumped into the sea to test
the conditions whilst others waited on shore for the head judge to make a decision on the
days competition.
Unfortunately, at 16:30 when the conditions were suitable
to give go ahead to begin competition clouds filled sky cancelling out the thermal breeze,
which dropped off dramatically forcing the head judge to abandon competition on day one.
Luckily for the event organisers the weather forecasts
are really promising for the coming few days, and this afternoons clouds are expected to
move away. The sun should be back tomorrow and this will help the thermal winds to kick in
early to give us a prompt start to the competition.
Kike Heredia, E-82, the local wild card and a local
meteorological expert told us, "The real problem today was the Tramontana that was
not strong enough and the sun was not that strong so the thermals could not do their work.
But give them a chance and shortly you will see the area as we know it and enjoy it all
year round. The coming days will be incredible, you will see what we are talking about and
what brought the PWA World Tour here. Just wait and see."
Some of the French sailors that showed up here at the
event, also know what the conditions are like in the region, which is just over an hour
from the French border. Julien Taboulet, F-100, pointed out, "I live a few kilometres
up north in the French town of Leucate, and when the Tramontana is strong I often come
down to sail in Pals which is a few kilometres south and I tell the place is
incredible."
Tonight the PWA crew and sailors will be driven to
Castelló d'Empúries, where three lucky winners will have the chance to see the Roses Bay
area from 1000 meters up, as they will be taken sky diving with the Castelló d'Empúries
Sky Diving School. When they hit the ground safely they will be able to share their
stories with the assembled party crowd as we all enjoy a wonderful BBQ at the schools
airport.
Day 3
At 10 in the morning the clouds and sun welcomed the
sailors to the skippers meeting of the day and the decision on competition was clear -have
to wait for the wind to pick up. Therefore, the race manager released the sailors, who had
to wait on stand-by until the next meeting scheduled for 11, a welcome announcement for
those who had been enjoying the local hospitality the previous night.
As the wind did not pick up and the weather seemed to be
holding off the thermal gradient required for strong breeze, the organisers were able to
send the three lucky winners of the sky diving jump, into the sky. Matt Pritchard US10,
Antoine Albeau F192 and Andy Wolff G9, moved to the Sky Diving School in Castelló
d'Empúries for the ultimate rush of their lives. 40 minutes later the three guys landed
safely on the beach in right in front of their stunned PWA colleagues.
Matt a few hours later was still stoked. "It was
'the rush'. My legs are still knocking from the adrenaline. I knew I was going to do it, I
knew up there I was going to be scared, but I was ready for it. Its like facing your
fears, then conquering them. My legs are still knocking. Wow what a rush."
The Surf Alegre exhibition also got finally underway
today, all the booths were full and busy with people checking out the new kit and
equipment on the market. Sailors walked around, people kite surfing and some of the women
on the PWA World Tour were here to see their friends compete, answering from fans and
media on the womens Freestyle.
A new face on the PWA World Tour has made his debut as
the Catalunya Costa Brava competition. Rob Saint will be travelling on the tour helping to
keep everybody fit and ready for action. He sees the Tour as "a big family travelling
around. A bunch of guys doing something they like. From now on I will be travelling the
tour keeping everyone fit and healthy. A lot of the guys carry long term sports injuries
and this is the time (with no wind) when we can sort out these long term injuries and make
sure they are healthy for when the wind picks up. So far I've seen a lot of Vidar Jensen
he's recovering from a long term knee injury."
After a calm and relaxing day with the sailors on
stand-by PWA pros joined a boat trip for a not a so calm The boat took them across the
Rosas Bay into a tiny cove for a Pirate Party, where everyone had a blast and enjoyed the
wonderful Spanish food, as a Paella was served and everyone enjoyed sangria out of a
"Porrón" (typical Catalan drinking device).
Tomorrow.....
There a big change in the weather pattern is forecast.
The long predicted winds are already starting to be seen in the local area and the for
Catalan and the South of France looking good for competition tomorrow. .
Day 4
At 10 o'clock the sun was beaming down the wind was from
the right direction. Therefore sailors and crew were confident that the thermal winds
would soon hit the event site. At 12:30 the first boards planning could be seen on the
beach, although the sailors were rigging large race sails.
During the morning spectators to had plenty of time to
view the trade stands at the exhibition and attempt to get autographs and photographs of
their favourite PWA sailors. Conservative estimates were that today more than 2,000
visited the event site.
At three o'clock, as the conditions were still not
suitable for an official Freestyle contest, but the breeze had increased just enough to
stage an unofficial competition. The twenty sailors who opted to take part were placed in
two ten man heats. The first three guys of each heat advanced to the final. During both 15
minute heats the spectators had the chance to enjoy the breath-taking performances by some
of the world's best freestylers.
The sailors advancing to the final were Brian Talma KBA8,
Pascal Jolie F66 and Matt Pritchard US10 from heat number one, and Raimondo Gasperini
I157, Josh Stone USA6 and Spanish caddie Nestor Parres who performed typical longboard
freestyle manoeuvres, from heat two.
During the final the wind seemed to settle in strength
and the gusts were much longer, which let the sailors perform more radical jumps and
manoeuvres. The ten minute final was eventually won by USA6, Josh Stone. Not surprising as
he was the lightest sailor on the water and was therefore even able to perform speed loops
and Willy Skippers. Second was fellow American Matt Pritchard, US10, followed by Brian
"Irie Man" Talma.
Fortunately for spectators and fans, the show was not
over.
Frank Roguet, Head Freestyle judge decided to stage a
Super Final with the three winners. Josh, Matt and Brian put on an incredible show in the
marginal wind conditions. Spectators had a blast watching the top three performing Willie
skippers, pirouettes, sail flips, speed loops and all sorts of unbelievable manoeuvres in
the limited wind conditions. At the end of the competition it was Josh who finished first,
followed by Irie Brian and Matt in third.
After all that action the Head Freestyle Judge called off
the official competition at 17:30.
Tomorrow (Sunday 13th June 1999) sailors will be called
at 9:00 for their meeting as the weather forecast predicts Tramontana winds for early in
the morning, picking up to 25 knots by noon.
Tonight, the sailors will enjoy a typical Spanish Beach
Party, with Rock Bands followed by a club party where we will surely see the Top ranked
sailors dancing and partying like crazy with their adoring Spanish fans.
A minute with the stars....
Josh Stone, USA6, winner of the unofficial
Freestyle event was stoked to have the opportunity to perform. "It is really cool to
put out a show for the crowds. A lot of people turned out today and now we just need to go
for the official freestyle. When we have people on the beach it is important to get some
energy out there. For me winning the fun event is not important, what really counts is
letting people see the show and have fun with us".
Brian words matched Josh's, saying "I am very happy
we did get some action. Planning this unofficial freestyle competition was great, the
organisers did a cool thing, I like to be always on the water no matter how strong the
winds are, if they are light I just take a longer board and play around, I am sure it was
a great decision. Irie man".
Final Day
Rain welcomed competitors at the 9:00 skippers meeting,
so it didn't look too promising for the wind to kick in and let the organisers run the
needed heats to produce an winner of the first Catalunya Costa Brava PWA Freestyle Grand
Prix. The chances off getting the necessary wind increased when at 10:00 the rain stopped
and the sun started to appear. Unfortunately for sailors, organisers and spectators, the
only thing they would be available to do on the final day was to chill out in the Expo
area and sign autographs and talk to fans.
Some of the sailors could be seen on the event site
wearing sunglasses to hide the previous night party hangover. The local orgnisers put on a
superb show with a huge barbecue, free drinks and rock band right on the beach. Following
the band it was time for techno, and competitors were taken to the campsite club for a
techno sesion performed by one of Barcelona's best DJ's.
At four o'clock, the event Head Judge, Frank Roguet,
decided to call te event off as the wind strength and direction were not very promising.
Despite the lack of wind sailors and crew were very pleased with the local organisation,
and the hope to comeback to Costa Brava nxt year. Indeed, the Director of Tourism from
Catalunya has guaranteed funding for the event for the coming years.
At 16:30, sailors, spectators and media attended the
closing ceremony where politicians and sailors thanked each other for the event and wished
for a more luck in 2000.
A minute with the stars...
Stephan Ettiene E66, the Spanish Wave
Champion, was very pleased with what he saw on the event, "the organisers here
treated us like no one so far has done, I know the area, I have been competing here quite
a lot of times and I know it is one of the best places in Spain for windsurfing, just that
we had no luck with the wind, bad luck, be patient because next year will be amazing.
Organisation wise this event gets a ten out of ten, gee man we got to see wonderful places
and we have been treated like kings, what else would we need.... yes of course, wind, wait
and see, next year and that is a promise".
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