Coming back from a short week on Lanzarote with Team Future Fly Boards for the photoshoot and a incredible exciting weekend on the Formula 1 -circuit in Zandvoort, it was time to pack the freestyle gear again for the 2ndFreestyle-stop of the European Freestyle Pro Tour on Rhodos in Greece.
My compliments to the event organisers for the excellent pick-up from the airport , accommodation and event-set up at Surf & Kite Theologos
Arriving 1 day ahead of the start of the event, I took the time to catch up with good friend Gollito Estredo, his wife and son during a sightseeing tour on the island of Rhodos.
The first day of competition was traditionally with the registration of the riders and the stickering of the sails and the skippersmeeting.
After a few words from EFPT CEO Adam Sims and Race Director Danny Kater, the riders were released for the start of a long waiting game. With the wind not picking up, all riders were released at 16.30.
Event-details :
Divisions: Pro Men (32 riders) – Women (6 riders) + Juniors U18 (7 riders) Conditions: Cross-shore winds of 15-25 knots with waves Format: Riders can do a maximum 10 moves on each tack, 3 moves on each tack counting. – 9 minute heats
Day-2 What a day after the slow start yesterday. Time for some action. With the wind filling in earlier than expected, it was possible to run the complete three divisions: Juniors, Women’s and Men’s. The conditions were tricky as the waves and wind picked up in the competition area.
Equipment used : Severne > FR33K 5.2 ** Future Fly Boards > Tamado 101 ** LSDfins 20.5 Amado Pro ** Brunotti > Harnass/boardshorts
Single elimination :
Viewers from all over could follow the event via the live-streaming and scoring . Below a few heats.
Final Single – elimination
Out of the EFPT day-report :
Going for the win in the final were Jacopo Testa (AV-Boards/Point-7) from Italy and Amado Vrieswijk from Bonaire. With the sun already below the horizon both riders were actually above it for most of the heat. Getting a lot of height, we saw the aforementioned Shifty Shaka from Vrieswijk and a sick Pasko from Testa. Jacopo added to that with a beautiful Pushloop but Amado seems to have learned from his exchange with Neubauer as he left no stone unturned – securing another 40+ point heat. This awarded him the win for the men’s single elimination, and therefore the best starting position for the double coming up tomorrow.
Day-3 Was a waiting game for me as the double elimination was on it’s way and my opponent for 1st or second place was unknown yet.
Double elimination :
On day -4 It was Yentel who reached the final after an exceptional performance , racing up the ladder in 7 heats to fight me in the final. My mind was set to win the final and not Austria in April to do a superfinal.(runner up has to beat the winner from the single elim. twice )
Out of the EFPT day-report :
Amado already got up to 40 points within the first 3 minutes of his heat. Although the Belgian defended really well on his incoming moves it was the big jumps where Vrieswijk dominated. Yentel finished his heat with a double Forward Loop attempt, hoping to catch up, but unfortunately crashes. In the end it was the Bonaireian who defended his first position, relieving Caers from having to sail another heat in the super final. Amado Vrieswijk wins the double elimination, and the event, in a spectacular fashion.
On the last day we enjoyed ourselves on the beach and the award-ceremony at night.
A massive thanks to the EFPT-crew, the local organization/sponsors, to all riders and spectators on the beach for this great week on Rhodos. Hope we all can come back next year.
All made possible due to the excellent equipment by Severne – Future Fly Boards , Brunotti and LSD-fins, not to forget my coach Alison Maria on Bonaire.
In the meantime I’m in The Netherlands again to have a few days of rest before leaving for Lake Garda again to get back in to the IQFOil-mode and will check back to you when there is news to report.
Cheers
Amado Vrieswijk
NB20
