For the third time in a row, an EFPT stage is hosted at the shores of Six Fours les Plages. For the second time now it will be the place where the European champion will be crowned. This year there has been a notable recognition amongst the crew and the riders about how much the event has been growing year by year.
After increasing the international interest in the event by raising the prize-money from 5.000€ to 10.000€, the hard work of the organization during the past years becomes obvious by entering the beautiful event-site at Brutal Beach. With two big marquees, many windsurfing related and out-of industry exhibitors and sponsors the area looks more professional than ever.
28 riders out of 11 Nations registered in the morning to take part in the last international freestyle competition in 2014. Amongst them big names who have been on tour with us for many years now, yet also some new talents whose involvement leaves us excited. Sam Ésteve (JP/Neilpryde) from France who recently gained fame in the social media with his huge air-skopu, as well as Riccardo Marca (North/Fanatic) from Italy and Christos Loizou (North/Fanatic) from Cyprus are debuting in international competition.
Since the forecast for today predicted no wind, the riders were still put to work and were invited for a little tow-in practice for a potential upcoming competition with 2.000€ prize-money in case the conditions will not be sufficient for the freestyle discipline. We have seen a high involvement in the tow-in practice with a special mention of the competitor from Cyprus Christos Loizou who tried this discipline for the first time and stomped a clean funnell on his second attempt. It was rewarded with a lot of cheering from the crowd and the other sailors. The good atmosphere shifted a bit when the same rider got injured during practice. Props to him though for this nice performance and we wish him a fast recovery!
Adrien Bosson (North/Fanatic)
In the beautiful evening light the riders presentation took part on the beach to introduce the pros to the public, the media, the politicians and representatives of the town and where the they received a warm welcome by all the people involved around the event.
As the conditions don’t seem to improve by tomorrow we got a functional fitness training session scheduled at 10.00am on the beach with a local trainer who is also helping Adrien Bosson (North/Fanatic) to keep fit and prepare for the next competition season.
Riders presentation
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