With the EFPT Awards coming up on the 21st of December, it is time that we announce the nominees for our Rider of the Year and Rookie of the Year categories. These two awards are meant to highlight extraordinary and promising performances on the 2021 European Freestyle Pro Tour. The Rider of the Year award will go to a rider who has impressed with their skill, sportsmanship and enthusiasm on tour. The Rookie of the Year category is similar, but will be awarded to a rider who has made their debut on the EFPT in the 2021 season. Let’s get into it!
Amado Vrieswijk claims victory in Austria (by Alex Lang)
Our Rider of the Year Nominees, in no particular order are:
Amado Vrieswijk (Future Fly/Severne) – No need to introduce him. Amado became European Champion after winning both freestyle events this year. On top of that he managed to one-up this achievement by also becoming World Champion later in the season – a title he has been after for years!
Felix Volkhardt (Severne/MUF) – The German rider impressed us with his progress and performance. Taking 11th overall in the EFPT Ranking, alongside names like Antoine Albert and Gollito Estredo, seems to be only the beginning in his rise to freestyle stardom as he has been turning heads outside of the competition scene as well…
Maaike Huvermann (Severne/MUF) – Becoming European Champion and Vice World Champion, Maaike is definitely not slowing down. The World title was not even that far away as she nearly dethroned Sarah-Quita Offringa herself…
Lennart Neubaer (Starboard/Severne/MUF) – An extraordinary performance from the young gun. Despite his age Lennart is taking down big names left and right. This season he became European Champion in both the Juniors and in the Tow-in Discipline. Furthermore, he also became Youth World Champion.
Yentel Caers (JP/NeilPryde) – Being super consistent was the name of the game for Yentel this year. With a beautiful 8 heat comeback in Theologos, and participating in every one of the three disciplines on the EFPT he managed to snatch the Overall, all discipline, European Title. And although he had to yield his European Freestyle title to Amado, he is definitely not done dominating the scene yet…
Maaike Huvermann once again dominating the womens fleet © PROtography 2021
Before announcing the Rookies of the Year nominees, we are excited to announce that this title will come with a special prize! Gun Sails is giving the Rookie of the Year one of their 4.8 YEAH Freestyle sails to aid them in their future endeavours on the EFPT. Check out what the YEAH can do in the capable hands of Steven van Broeckhoven:
Getting right back into it, our 2021 Rookie of the Year nominees, once again in no particular order, are:
Niclas Nebelung (Fanatic/Duotone/MUF) and Lucas Nebelung (JP/ Gun Sails/MUF) – The Nebelung brothers bursted onto the scene at our opening event in Austria, taking down some big names along the way. We hope to see them competing on the EFPT more, as they are sure to mix things up with their noteworthy performance.
Piero Rautnik – A very motivated young Italian ripper. He was sailing very well and showing a lot of skill at the EFPT in Theologos. With his focus he is for sure one to look out for…
Primus Sörling (Starboard/Severne) – Taking part in the rookie camp and then showing strong performance in the juniors in Theologos. He also showed an amazing passion and enthusiasm for Freestyle by spending every possible moment on the water in Greece, even if it the wind was barely enough for some flowstyle sailing.
Primus Sörling impressing at the EFPT Theologos with a Shaka! © PROtography 2021
Make sure to tune in to our website on the 21st of December when we will announce the winners of these, and many more categories. The EFPT Awards show will also be spiced up with some exciting announcements about the upcoming season! Don’t miss it!