Amado Vrieswijk starts with a victory into the new EFPT event season. The pro windsurfer from Bonaire was on great form and managed to show big moves in all of his heats. Amado won the final of the single elimination against Yentel Caers.

Amado Vrieswijk - Pic: Continentseven/Kerstin Reiger

Amado Vrieswijk – Pic: Continentseven/Kerstin Reiger

The conditions

Finally on the last day of the event the wind arrived and brought suitable conditions to start the EFPT freestyle windsurfing competition. With north-westerly wind, the bouy course was set in the morning and the horn for the first heat went off at 1.15pm. As this wind direction is much stronger further outside, the heat area got moved and the crew, judges, photographers and filmers got shuttled to a bigger boat. We as well spent around 5 hours on the boat filming the best action and taking photographs. We know the spot and have windsurfed there ourselves but never watched a freestyle competition at this spot before. It’s a nice place to run a competition right next to the big fields of reed and quite close to the green and gentle Leitha hills. The atmosphere was very relaxed and the riders took the gusty conditions quite easy, although the wind dropped to 5 knots or suddenly picked up to 20+ knots and they were a bit overpowered on their 5.2m sails. Some riders organized a caddy, who sailed out with a smaller gear set and the heat durcation got extended to 10 minutes after the third heat. The wind pushed big clouds over the lake and from time to time some raindrops hit the huge heat area and the judges on the roof top of the boat. Watching some of the world’s best freestylers from a boat in the middle of the lake was quite an exclusive situation. The event was definitely a good start into the international freestyle competition season.

Judges boat and heat area further outside

Judges boat and heat area further outside

 

The competition

Already in round number one, the action was amazing, considering the challenging conditions. Julien Mas showed his moves with a very smooth style and managed to take out local rider Max Matissek, to then be stopped by Belgian freestyle hot-shot Yentel Caers.

Riccardo Marca who was placed 6th overall in last years EFPT ranking, seemed to struggle a bit in the beginning, yet could get his competition game back on in the end, to take out Eliran Levi from Israel and Giovanni Passani. Once again, Yentel Caers was the one to stop this run.

Riccardo Marca - Pic: Continentseven/Kerstin Reiger

Riccardo Marca – Pic: Continentseven/Kerstin Reiger

An impressive performance was shown by German rider Andi Lachauer. He sailed super stylish in all of his heats landing a switch Forward loop, a Funnell Clock as well as power moves, which scored him points on all levels: diversity, style and technical difficulty. Andy, who showed a cool mix of old school and new school moves was taking out Loick Spicher from Switzerland and could then win over Nicolas Akgazciyan in a very close 2:1 decision. The German competitor was excited by his victory and stated, that he has already been sailing five times against the very experienced “Frenchie” in other competitions, yet could never pass.

Andi Lachauer - Pic: Continentseven/Kerstin Reiger

Andi Lachauer – Pic: Continentseven/Kerstin Reiger

 

19 year-old Sam Esteve from France, who won the Chiemsee Tow-In Championship in Neusiedl with a crazy triple rotation, was sailing on an outstanding level. He caused quite an upset by taking down Tonky Frans in the first and Adrien Bosson in the second round. After losing against Caers in the semi-final, he faced Jacopo Testa in the last heat of today – the losers final.

Sam Esteve - Pic: Continentseven/Kerstin Reiger

Sam Esteve – Pic: Continentseven/Kerstin Reiger

Jacopo Testa has been stepping it up big time in the past seasons and seems a lot more switched on in competition. He landed perfect Kabikuchis, double Spocks, brilliant Burners and Spock Culos in most of his heats and topped it up with no handed Flakas, a regular Chacho and completely one handed Shakas.

Jacopo Testa - Pic: Continentseven/Kerstin Reiger

Jacopo Testa – Pic: Continentseven/Kerstin Reiger

The final

Vice PWA World Champion from last season 2016, Amado Vrieswijk proved once again how consistent his windsurfing is, regardless of the conditions. The Bonairean landed Spock Culos, powerful double Culos, Konos and Burners as well super clean Shove-it Spocks and nice Shakas on both tacks. Vrieswijk closed the doors for Tim Ruyssenaars, Andi Lachauer and Jacopo Testa, to face his good friend and team-mate Yentel Caers in the winners final.

Amado Vrieswijk no handed

Amado Vrieswijk no handed

Yentel Caers - Pic: Continentseven/Kerstin Reiger

Yentel Caers – Pic: Continentseven/Kerstin Reiger

The wind in the winners final was a bit lighter compared to other heats but we still saw high-level freestyler. Both riders filled their score sheets, yet Amado Vrieswijk could take victory over the Belgian sailor.

Result EFPT IFCA Grand Prix Austria 2017

1. Amado Vrieswijk
2. Yentel Caers
3. Jacopo Testa
4. Sam Esteve
5. Adrien Bosson, Andi Lachauer, Antoine Albert, Riccardo Marca
9. Nico Akgazciyan, Tonky Frans, Rick Jendrusch, Giovanni Passani, Julien Mas, Davy Scheffers, Adrien Beholz, Tim Ruyssenaars 

The next EFPT contest will take place in Tarifa from the 18th-21st of May, where the chase for the EFPT title 2017 will continue.

Award ceremony

Award ceremony EFPT Austria 2017
play-sharp-fill

Award ceremony EFPT Austria 2017

Yentel Caers and Amado Vrieswijk - Pic: Continentseven/Kerstin Reiger

Yentel Caers and Amado Vrieswijk – Pic: Continentseven/Kerstin Reiger

Now we are off

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