August 18, 2013 – The opening day of Red Bull Storm Chase Mission #2 saw a full round of competition completed in challenging starboard tack, side-onshore conditions at Temma Beach in North West Tasmania. Wind up to 64 knots and 25-foot Great Southern Ocean surf challenged all six competitors.
Thomas Traversa dominated the first round and took the highest scores in both categories. Speaking of the Frenchman’s skills Duncan Coombs said “Thomas rode the surf in the most critical situations and looked totally in control – it was like he was playing with the storm while others were struggling in comparison”. Thomas Traversa: “It was challenging and didn’t look too inviting’ but there were some nice waves coming through here and there with loads and loads of wind. We all tried our best and I personally enjoyed the starboard tack wind from the right conditions that I prefer for jumping. I hope tomorrow will be better for down-the-line wavesailing and that we can show everyone what we can do in clean surf conditions.”
Thomas Traversa – Pic: Sebastian/Marko Red Bull Contentpool
THE MORNING
Fresh wind and strong swell in the morning kept the level of tension high as the early squalls of the approaching storm swept through. Head Judge Duncan Coombs set a 20-minute heat duration and requested that competitors be towed out beyond the wind line in the middle of the bay by the Sea- Doo drivers. The sheer amount of moving water in the narrow bay demanded a lot of power that the building wind couldn’t quite supply and so the opening heat – Leon Jamaer vs. Marcilio Browne – was cancelled as both riders struggled to get into position for set waves or to line-up jumps.
GAME ON
As the wind built towards storm-force strength, it was game-on! More two-man heats followed, including a re-sail of the first match, all assessed by a judging panel including Head Judge Duncan Coombs, former World Champion Scott McKercher and Red Bull Storm Chase Sports Manager Klaas Voget. Instead of a knockout format, the scoring system counted each riders best two jumps and wave rides, the total of which will be used to determine the Top Four sailors for the final mission.
In the first round Thomas Traversa dominated and took the highest scores in both categories. Speaking of the Frenchman’s skills Duncan Coombs said “Thomas rode the surf in the most critical situations and looked totally in control – it was like he was playing with the storm while others were struggling in comparison”. Marcilio Browne pushed Traversa hard in the jumping department with a high tweaked push loop and solid wave scores. Marcilio: “It was hard to stay upwind after selecting the wrong size sail after my warm-up. I was motivated to do some high jumps but took a too small sail and struggled with the amount of foam and strong current.”
Marcilio Browne – Pic: Sebastian Marko/Red Bull Contentpool
Julien Taboulet – Pic: Sebastian Marko/Red Bull Contentpool
Julien Taboulet also impressed with excellent courage to come far inside near the rocks to gain good speed on his run up to the ramps outside. Julien: „This first round was hard going on the water. There was massive surf, the wind was super-onshore and there were lots of rocks to watch out for. The waves had lots of steps in them and the wind shifting around a lot – it was kind of a scary place for sure. But it’s good for your spirit sometimes to scare yourself like that.” Credit must also go to Leon Jamaer who went for outrageous wave 360s off vertical sections, the young German showing little fear in the intimidating setting. “I was in the tricky first heat that was abandoned and then re-sailed. In the second heat I was super overpowered and it was onshore and gnarly. It was difficult to wave ride in such storm conditions. Let’s see what we will get at ‘Back of Lighthouse’ being the spot tomorrow. I’ll be happy if we can show the world what we can do in huge waves, especially if we get an extra round or two in the bag,” Leon stated.
Tenerife-based German Dany Bruch also pushed hard in his heat against former World Champ and current world number 2 Victor Fernandez, but was caught out on the inside by a massive set only to lose his gear onto the nearby rocks. His sail was torn, but luckily his board survived with just a few small dings. Daniel Bruch: „Tasmania threw up difficult conditions with very onshore wind. It was hard to pick off set waves amongst the strong currents. There was heaps of white water to deal with, but tomorrow sounds better for wave riding.“
Leon Jamaer – Pic: Thorsten Indra/Red Bull Content Pool
Reflecting further on the day Duncan Coombs stated that “We came to Tasmania to ride a storm and we immediately got conditions that, in wave riding terms, exceeded Mission #1. There were rocks, kelp and strong currents to deal with – all in a very narrow competition area, yet there was full commitment all-round.“ The outlook for tomorrow is positive with forecast wind direction likely to suit ‘Back of Lighthouse’ as a suitable spot. There we can expect port tack wind and left-hand waves breaking over a heavy reef. Perfect stage to find the final four riders for the final mission of windsurfing’s most challenging contest.
Victor Fernandez: “This was probably the trickiest sailing scenario I’ve ever seen. There was very little space to work with and a huge shorebreak. It was much more challenging than Mission #1 in Ireland – but I’m looking forward to seeing what tomorrow provides.”
Well done everybody…looks wild.