Italian Jacopo Testa (AV-Boards/Point-7) has officially become the 2022 European Freestyle Windsurfing Champion! In what is uncharacteristic of Leucate, the wind did not fill in to a satisfactory level during the 10-day waiting period, causing the EFPT Finals to be called off, settling the current championship rankings.  The lack of wind for the event means that the European Championship has been decided in favour of Testa, who claims the title for the second time in his career after a tight battle with Yentel Caers (JP/NeilPryde). The end of the season also brings along the announcement of the FPT Proving Grounds Series for this winter season as well as the FPT Awards. Read all the details below.

Testa becomes European Champion

The lack of wind for the 2022 EFPT Finals means that the championship battle has been decided. Jacopo Testa becomes European Freestyle Windsurfing Champion for the second time in his career after an impressive display at our events in Austria and Italy. The EFPT Surf Opening in Neusiedl am See saw him dominate in lighter winds to win the final ahead of Belgian Yentel Caers. Impressing the judges with consistent Chachoo’s, the Italian set the stage for a winning campaign. The disappointing result of 2021 European and World Champion Amado Vrieswijk (FutureFly/Severne) also meant he had one rival less to contend for the title with.

Testa came into his home event in Italy as tour leader, proudly wearing the yellow jersey. However, he lost out to Caers in the single elimination final, tying them for the tour lead. Luck was on his side though, as the wind turned out to be better than expected, allowing for a double elimination to be ran. Testa won the final in spectacular fashion, forcing a super final for the event win. Carrying on his momentum, he managed to dispatch Caers in front of a beach packed with his supporters. Not knowing it at the time, he had deservingly sealed his second European Title. The FPT would like to congratulate Jacopo Testa on his performance this season!

The Belgians completing the podium

Yentel Caers becomes 2022 Vice-European Freestyle Champion for a second year in a row. The Belgian is the man to beat in strong winds, but unfortunately the odds haven’t been in his favour this year. The close battle with Testa put him in a solid second place, miles ahead of the rest of the field. Completing the podium is Dieter Van der Eyken (Severne Windsurfing) who has shown his competitive consistency with a 3rd and 5th finish throughout the season. Congratulations to both riders!

Not far behind in the rankings were Steven Van Broeckhoven (Starboard/Gunsails) and Antoine Albert (Goya Windsurfing). In what would have been an epic showdown for third, the two athletes have to settle for 4th and 5th respectively. See the full 2022 ranking below.

The ending of the season also means that the 2022 FPT Awards are coming up. A night where the best action in our sport is celebrated along with the crowning of the 2022 European Champions. More information on the event will be released very soon!

No wind at the 2022 EFPT Finals

Leucate is known as one of the windiest places in Europe. When the Wesh Center Crew owner Julien Taboulet was keen to set up an on-forecast event with the FPT, hopes were high to run a strong wind freestyle event. However, with the waiting period starting on the 23rd of October, the forecast immediately left riders and crew wishing for more. With no suitable direction and strength, the waiting game begun. Being teased a couple of times by the weather models, the Freestyle Pro Tour even considered extending the waiting period a couple of days to ensure an epic season finale. Unfortunately the latest developments have indisputably confirmed the lack of proper conditions, leading to the difficult decision to call off the event. The FPT Team would still like to thank the Wesh Center Crew for their efforts and are working hard to carry this collaboration into the 2023 season.

FPT Proving Grounds Series

As the season ends, the Freestyle Pro Tour is announcing the all new Proving Grounds Series. In our effort to support local events, the tour will sponsor 5 events this winter, with €1000 each in prize money. Starting with Brasil and Cape Town, there are still 3 spots open. Are you a group of local motivated freestyle windsurfers who want to organise a freestyle competition? Get in touch with the FPT and pitch your event! More information about the brand new series coming soon!

 

2022 Overal Ranking Freestyle Men

	Name		Country	Board Sponsor	Sail Sponsor	Austria	Vieste	Total
						★★★	★★★
1	Jacopo	Testa	Italy	AV Boards	Point-7	300	300	600
2	Yentel	Caers	Belgium	Neilpryde	JP Australia	255	255	510
3	Dieter	Van der Eyken	Belgium	Severne	Severne	225	165	390
4	Steven	Van Broeckhoven	Belgium	Gunsails	Starboard	158	225	383
5	Antoine	Albert	France	Goya	Goya	195	150	345
6	Adrien	Bosson	France	Duotone	Fanatic	95	195	290
7	Sam	Esteve	France	Neilpryde	JP Australia	158	128	285
8	Michi	Czech	Austria	Severne	Severne	128	95	222
9	Matteo	Testa	Italy	F2	F2	95	95	189
10	Bodhi	Kempen	The Netherlands	Severne	Severne	65	95	159
	Ilay	Bamnolker	Israël	F2	F2	65	95	159
12	Tigo	Kort	The Netherlands	Neilpryde	JP Australia	65	65	129
13	Youp	Schmit	Bonaire				128	128
	Amado	Vrieswijk	Bonaire	Severne	FutureFly	128		128
15	Felix	Volkhardt	Germany	Severne	Severne	38	65	102
	Eugenio	Marconi	Italy	Duotone	Fanatic	38	65	102
17	Jamie	Howard	UK	Severne	Severne	95		95
	Dudu	Levi	Israël	Gunsails	FutureFly	95		95
19	Tim	Gerdes	The Netherlands	Severne	Severne	38	38	76
	George	Grisley	UK			38	38	76
21	Adam	Sims	United Kingdom	Sailloft			65	65
	Foivos	Tsoupras	Germany	Duotone	Fanatic	65		65
23	Mathias	Vingaard	Denmark	Severne	Starboard	17	38	55
	Piero	Rautnik	Italy			17	38	55
25	Alexandr	Sorokin	Russia				38	38
	Raphael	Bauer	France	Severne	Starboard		38	38
	Primus	Sörling	Sweden	Severne	Starboard		38	38
	Cesare	Ltino	Italy				38	38
	Eliran	Levi	Israël	F2	F2	38		38
	Niclas	Nebelung	Germany	Duotone	Fanatic	38		38
	Paul	Simmerl	Austria	F2	F2	38		38
	Paweł	Kaźmierczak	Poland			38		38
33	Nascimo	Fournier	France	Sailloft			23	23
	Aaron	Smith	United Kingdom	F2	F2		23	23
35	Maurizio	Moritz	Austria	Duotone	Fanatic	17		17
	Oliver	Townsend	UK			17		17
	Andreas	Rössler	Austria			17		17
	Pawel	Palichleb	Poland	Duotone	Fanatic	17		17