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The highlights
Although it wasn’t possible to run the official wave competition, four freestyle rounds were completed. Conditions for the first half of the week were a cat’s whisker away from being ideal, but the waves were just too small. The week’s highlights relate mostly to the new era of moves, which are pushing windsurfing forward into the new Millennium.

Francisco Goya stood out for his enthusiasm, he was on the water at every available moment. Always beaming from ear to ear and proving in- between heats, that he could have a budding career as a commentator. Josh Stone, the people’s performer will be remembered at this event for his beach manoeuvres. Literally, running his board up the beach and into the crowd. Jason Polkow obviously more at home in truly epic, life threatening conditions, ventured onto, what for him must be labelled ‘flat water’. At this event he will be remembered for an ‘Auto Rotator’ executed in the white water, close to the shoreline. On his part, this was an inspired flash of brilliance – a move performed with absolute perfection. Proving that the World Champion is very much on the pace – even in Euro conditions. Matt Pritchard is the undisputed ‘Freestyle King,’ at this event anyway with his ‘Willy Skipper 360.

What the sailors thought
The general consensus from the sailors was that the week had been a lot of fun and they had enjoyed the relaxed, more informal style of the freestyle competition. The spectators had seen the worlds elite perform on their doorstep. The organisers were happy, all their criteria had been met - people on the beach and action on the water.

At the end of the day though, it is the sailors who have the casting vote. Bjorn Dunkerbeck had this to say.

"When the wind blows, its pretty radical here. The organisers of this event are windsurfers themselves, they want to see the competition succeed and grow in the future. Even though we haven’t had official competition – there has been a lot of media attention, which is good. I think its great to have a competition in The North Sea – windsurfing has always been big in Holland. This competition will grow in the coming years and I’ll be back for sure!"

The Zandvoort Freestyle Results
Men overall results (after 4 Freestyle contests (with 1 discard)):

1.  US-10 – Matt Pritchard
2.  USA-6 – Josh Stone
3.  A-211 – Francisco Goya
4.  KA-0 – Steve Allen
5.  H-24 – Peter Volwater
6.  KBA-8 – Brian Talma
7.  D-0 – Michael Viscovitch
8.  E-7 – Marcos Perez
9.  G-307 – Robby Seeger
10.  H-72 – Ramses Landman

Women overall results (after 4 Freestyle contests (with 1 discard)):

1.  E-64 – Daida Ruana Moreno
2.  GR-1 – Antonia Frey
3.  E-63 – Iballa Ruana Moreno
4.  H-444 – Lucienne Ernst
5.  Z-14 – Karen Jaggi
6.  KA-929 – Jane Seman
7.  H-95 – Cornelia Van Der Schilden
8.  H-98 – Anne-Marie Reichman
9.  G-652 – Katrin Joachimsthaler
10.  AUT-123 – Uli Hotzl

Remark: Unfortunately there were not any wave contests that count for the official PWA ranking

©SSM Freesports / Dan Atkins

Photos by: © Stichting Surfpromotion Nederland 1999 - http://www.ssn.nl/