(April 30, 2003-Podersdorf, Austria)- As hoped, the wind gradually returned through out the day, allowing for a 2pm start to the finish of the Freestyle Double Elimination. Winds were a gusty 16-22 knots, from the south. Picking up as the heats advanced made for difficult decision making for the riders, regarding their kite sizes! The dreaded wind hole on the shoreline added to the drama as the Finals neared. Starting off with the Mens’ Heats #28 and #29, the following results came through, Lago ESP advanced over Hadlow UK, Aaron Hadlow is only 14 years old and represents the new school of young groms entering the competitive field, he was able to penetrate the Top 10 and is one to watch! Doyle USA, again a member of the younger riders entering the Pro domain, beat Tyburski USA. Phillip ANT, building on his progressive and strong performance in 2002, won Eloy FRA- a new face on the PKRA showing lots of promise as he rose from 25th in the Singles ladder to 9th place! And, Shinn UK, our 2001 Tour Champion passed by De Jong NED.
In Heat #15 for the Women, Goeschl NED, a new, positive force in the Women’s field, with a strong reputation already as a ‘no fears’ rider, beat last years newcomer Wedenig SUI. And, Bunton UK, showing progress and great intention, advanced over Peral ESP, a new and young newcomer who is currently also competing in windsurfing!
Back in the Men’s Freestyle Heat #30, Lago ESP finessed by Doyle USA, and Philip ANT in an anticipated confrontation, beat Shinn UK. In the Women’s Quarter Final, Bunton UK went on to beat Goeschl NED, who unfortunately missed most of her Heat! In the Men’s Heat #31, James USA, showing marked improvement and his signature style left behind Lago ESP. In the same Heat, Herraiz ESP, demonstrating the results of his determined training, won over Phillip ANT.
In the Women’s Semi Finals, Bunton UK happily advanced to the Women’s Finals over local favorite Koelbichtler AUT. In the Men’s Quarter Finals James USA took down the mighty Herraiz ESP. Continuing to the Men’s Semi Finals James USA, continued on to take down Koch USA, though Koch demonstrated much grace and flow.
In the Women’s Finals, it was the pervasive Cindy Mosey NZL who prevailed over Claire Bunton UK. The Men’s Finals was energy in motion, as James USA and his comrade Vari ARG exchanged tricks, it was Martin Vari ARG, who has blown everyone away here in Austria with his remarkable evolution and candid display of finesse, that clenched and maintained control of 1st Place in the Men’s Freestyle competition!
Results of Men’s Freestyle Doubles Elimination/Austrai 2003:
1st Vari, Martin ARG Cabrinha: 2nd James, Will USA North 3rd Koch, Adam USA Naish 4th Herraiz, Jaime ESP North 5th Lago, Abel ESP Naish 5th Phillip, Andre ANT Cabrinha 7th Doyle, Mark USA Slingshot 7th Shinn, Mark UK Nasih 9th Hadlow, Aaron UK Flexifoil 9th De Jong, Steph NED North 9th Eloy, Jeremie FRA North 9th Tyburski, David USA RRD 13th Meyer, Ben USA Naish 13th Brouwer, Christian NED 13th Solbach, Sky USA Gaastra 13th Deleau, Charles FRA North 17th Kellner, Steve SA Slingshot 17th Oneiva, Alvaro ESP Wipika 17th Gilbert, Chris USA Naish 17th Argano, Gianni ESP Slingshot 17th Fenoll, Javier ESP Naish 17th Miller, Leeshi ISL Naish 17th Kerherve, Yoann ESP 17th Bodenwinkler, Kurt SUI 25th Tobias, Jeff USA Slingshot 25th Sieber, Christoph AUT North 25th Franco, Paul USA Naish 25th Austin, Flash USA Wipika 25th Ciriaco , Jose DR Gaastra 25th Pages, Alex ESP Nasih 25th Vannucci, Simone ITA RRD 25th Kundernatsch , Bernie AUT Takoon
Results of Women’s Freestyle Doubles Elimination/Austria 2003:
1st Mosey, Cindy NZL North 2nd Bunton, Claire UK Takoon 3rd Kollbichler, Ingrid AUT Cabrinha 4th Goeschl, Petra NED 5th Peral. Angela ESP North 5th Wedenig, Fiona SUI Slingshot 7th Steindl, Gabriele North 7th Boese, Kristin GER RRD 9th Fischli, Sonja SUI 9th Kearsley, Laura USA 9th Glasman, Michele ARG Cabrinha 9th Rodriguez, Sofia ESP
After the Freestyle discipline, the wind grew stonger and filled in closer to shore, allowing for the Best trick course to be made where riders and spectators could see the intense action! Gust variances increased and made for dramatic displays of valor as landings were made more precious! 2 Men’s heats and one women’s heat was run with 15 minute duration. A Men’s Final heat of 8 advanced riders topped off the show. Brutal wipeouts and risk were the usual fare for this secondary discipline sporting a $5000 purse! Results for the Best Trick discipline follow:
Women’s Best Trick:
1st Cindy Mosey NZL North 720 Board-Off, kite low 2nd Claire Bunton UK Takoon 720 back loop with kite loop 3rd Fiona Wedenig SUI Slingshot Unhooked 360 Off Axis
Men’s Best Trick:
1st Martin Vari ARG Cabrinha Unhooked Backspin to Raley with Kite-loop 2nd Jaime Herraiz ESP North Toe-side PeteRose 3rd Alvaro Oneiva ESP Wipika Nack Nack (Blind to Blind)
A last large tent party, for the Awards, is scheduled tonight at 10pm, and will officially close the Spark 7 PKRA World Cup in Austria!
The PKRA, and all its members, are stoked at the quality and professionalism of this event, Organized by Gerhard Polak and all his fantastic staff! This first 2003 World Tour stop has been a fantastic success and has set the standards for the rest of the Tour season! We believe with this kind of action and dynamic forum for expression the sport is sure to benefit and grow! We look forward to the next PKRA Tour stop in Cabarete DR!