Schon gestern Abend haben wir ein kurzes Update der “Red Bull Storm Chase” Mission 1 gepostet – über Nacht kamen nun alle Details in Form einer Pressemeldung. Es war wirklich der perfekte Sturm, den die RBSC Crew gestern in Irland einsacken konnte. Böen bis zu 74 Knoten (137 kmh) und 20 Fuß Wellen sprechen eine deutliche Sprache – von den Bildern ganz zu schweigen. Herzlichen Glückwunsch an alle “Stormchaser” die sich in diesen Bedingungen aufs Wasser gewagt haben – es war wahrscheinlich der radikalste Wettkampftage in der Geschichte des Windsurfens. Die Top 6, nämlich Marcilio Browne, Dany Bruch, Victor Fernandez, Robby Swift, Julien Taboulet und Thomas Traversa sehen sich bei Mission 2 – das Warten auf den perfekten Sturm beginnt wieder. 

10 of the world’s best windsurfers from eight countries completed a demanding competition in Kerry, Ireland during the first mission of the Red Bull Storm Chase – the most-challenging windsurfing contest of all time. Despite recorded storm-force gusts of up to 74 knots (137kmh) and fierce 20-ft waves, the sailors completed three rounds of competition in two locations on the Maharees peninsular. After possibly the most radical day in windsurfing history, Marcilio Browne, Dany Bruch, Victor Fernandez, Robby Swift, Julien Taboulet and Thomas Traversa advance to the second Mission of Red Bull Storm Chase.

Kicking-off at first light, the Professional Windsurfers’ Association (PWA) World Tour Head Judge Duncan Coombs, Red Bull Storm Chase Sports Director Klaas Voget and local Guest Judge Timo Mullen decided on a 10-minute heat format, with each competitor’s best scores in both wave riding and jumping counting. Five two-man heats were drawn and the tension rose as the enormity of the task ahead of the sailors sank in at a Brandon Bay beach known to windsurfers as ‘Dumps’.

Barely able to walk their equipment down the beach even the most experienced windsurfers present questioned if even launching was possible. First to make an impression was 23-year old German Leon Jamaer who launched into a barrage of high, floaty jumps and wave rides among the endless walls of white water and open wave faces topping 20ft. Another European, Thomas Traversa managed to throw in a perfect wave 360 over the savage shore-dump to the judges’ delight. The French sailors proved to be on-fire as Julien Taboulet raised the bar with a barrage of sky-high combo jumps such as extreme, delayed table-top forward loops. Germany’s Dany Bruch also notched a table-top forward and scored the most hang-time with a stratospheric jump as lasting seven seconds. Moroccan aerial specialist Boujmaa Guilloul got in on the act too with the full gambit of forward and backward combination rotations. With only borrowed gear due to airline delays, it was a frustrating day for Danish talent Kenneth Danielsen who struggled to show his full potential without familiar equipment in the testing environment.

Although the entrants were throwing caution to the wind both on and above the water, they were all issued with padded ION impact protection clothing and were equipped with Weatherdock GPS devices delivering real-time tracking. Watching over them during heats were expert Sea-Doo Personal Watercraft safety drivers while a storm-proof Heimplanet tent provided shelter on the beach as raging gusts of cross-onshore wind and hail showers ripped through.

With several former World Champions in-the-mix, the standard of competition would be pushed even further. Robby Swift (GBR) made the benchmark move of the contest with a perfect, dry-landed, pushloop-forward combo. More adrenaline-fuelled moves followed and Brazilian Marcilio Browne wowed the judging panel with a technical and stylish Goiter rotation during a wave ride – especially impressive considering the difficulties involved in making genuine turns in such strong wind. After two rounds and a GoPro Expression Session free-sail, the judging crew then threw in another challenge by re-locating to the sideshore wind and bone-crunching reef known as Hell’s Gate.

Mast-and-a-half high waves exploded onto stone as the sailors coped with wind gusting from 40-74 knots. Now fenced in by treacherous rocky islands and cliff-edged shoreline a different test was on the table. As they dodged closing-out set waves in the third and final round, timing was critical to scoring a steep ramp with adequate speed in the run-up. This was no problem for Tenerife-based Dany Bruch who threw down an enormous, extremely delayed forward loop and calmly posted a backside 360 on a wave. Julien Taboulet showed little fear as he flew off thick slabs of water and carved the powerful surf to shreds, as did Thomas Traversa and Robby Swift who both landed combination moves. In terms of overall impression the pedigree of the two waveriding World Champions present – Victor Fernandez (ESP) and Josh Angulo (CPV) – shone through brightly. Both displayed superior wave selection with linked turns and aerials conjured out of nowhere. As the light faded the six highest scoring sailors to successfully qualify for Mission 2 – Dany Bruch, Marcilio Browne, Victor Fernandez, Robby Swift, Julien Taboulet and Thomas Traversa – were paraded as an unforgettable day came to an end.

Red Bull Storm Chase, Results First Mission, Brandon Bay, Ireland:

1. Thomas Traversa (France)

2. Dany Bruch (Germany)

3. Julien Taboulet (Spain)

4. Marcilio Browne (Brazil)

5. Victor Fernandez (Spain)

6. Robby Swift (United Kingdom)

7. Boujmaa Guilloul (Morocco)

8. Josh Angulo (Cape Verde)

9. Leon Jamaer (Germany)

10. Kenneth Danielsen (Denmark)

The top six sailors from the first mission will compete in the second mission.

www.redbullstormchase.com

Sottomarina ist einer der besten Wavespots Italiens – es gibt dort zwar keinen beständigen Wind da eine “Bora Wetterlage” notwendig ist um dort surfen zu können, aber wenn Sottomarina funktioniert dann geht’s ab. Die Locals nennen den Spot auch “Pozomarina” – was damit zu tun haben könnte dass auch dort der Wind meist onshore für kleine Segel bläst und ziemlich gute Rampen am Wasser zu finden sind. Paolo Biondani sackt fast jeden windigen “Pozomarina” Tag ein. Unten gab es eine Session mit 4,2 und Sonne – was bei Bora eher selten gibt.

Sottomarina is one of the best wavespots in Italy. Definitely not so many days with decent conditions but if Sottomarina is on – you’ll sail with small sails and pretty good conditions for jumping. This is also the reason why the locals call their spot “Pozomarina”.

Paolo Biondani almost gets every windy day in “Pozomarina” – below a session on 4,2 which was pretty onshore but it looks like fun.

MFC Hawaii stellt für 2013 fünf neue Finnen im Bereich Quad Wave, Freestyle, Racing, Freerace und Single Wave vor. Die Finnen wurden auf Maui in Zusammenarbeit mit führenden Worldcuppern entwickelt und ausgiebig getestet. Die PROFLEX Linie bietet durch die neuen Materialien (S-Glass bzw. Vinylester) mehr Stabilität durch kontrollierten Flex über die ganze Länge der Finne.

Die MFC Kollektion deckt alle Disziplinen und Boxsysteme ab. Alle Multifins sind auch einzeln (Trifin) u. im Set (Quad – Center / Side) bestellbar.

Verfügbar sind MFC Finnen aktuell bei über 30 Händlern in Deutschland und Österreich.

Website: www.mauifin.com | Weitere Infos und Händleranfragen:

Freestyle World | Anna-Seghers-Str 16 | 86830 Schwabmünchen

Tel. (+49) 8232 908129 Fax (+49) 8232 908127

WWW: www.freestyleworld.com | Mail: info@freestyleworld.com 

MFC is proud to launch its new PROFLEX fin line this upcoming season. The line has been specifically designed to take into consideration the many needs for windsurfing.

MFC developed loads of new fins together with some of the best riders out there and invested a lot into research and development. The new PROFLEX line offers new materials, “flex & control” and “key sizes” for each board on the market.

For all informations make sure to check out www.mauifin.com

PWA Slalom Racer Pierre Mortefon testet im Video unten einen neuen Speedchannel in Südfrankreich. Das Teil liegt in der Nähe von La Franqui und scheint perfekt für eine Verbesserung des persönlichen GPS Rekords geeignet zu sein. Vielleicht sehen wir den Franzosen ja bei der nächsten Luderitz Speed Challenge auf der Jagd nach dem Weltrekord mitmischen.

PWA Slalom Racer Pierre Mortefon testing a new speed channel in South France which’s located near La Franqui. It looks like a perfect spot to improve your topspeed and who knows – maybe we’ll see the french racer next year at the Luderitz Speed Challenge.

Wie jeden Winter zog es Englands Freestyle Shooting Star Max Rowe nach Brasilien zum Freestyletraining. Jericoacoara und Camocim lieferten mal wieder 6 Wochen lang gnadenlos gute Bedingungen und ließen das Freestyle Level mal wieder mächtig ansteigen. Josh Willmot von Blacklab hat die vielen “Schnipsel” zu einem coolen Clip zusammengebastelt und gestern online gestellt. Das Ergebnis kann sich, wie bei jeder Blacklab Produktion, wirklich sehen lassen. Überzeugt euch selbt.

As every winter, Max Rowe – the freestyle shooting star from the UK – travelled to Brazil to get some serious trainingsessions in. For sure, he scored it epic and increased his freestyle level once more in Jeri and Camocim. Josh Willmot from Blacklab created the clip which you can find below. Great editing skillz and good music – as ever in a Blacklab Production. Check it out

Die Vorbereitungen für Mission 1 des Red Bull Storm Chase laufen auf Hochtouren. Auch die Spotwahl ist mittlerweile durch. Morgen früh soll es in Brandon Bay – einem ehemaligen PWA Spot zur Sache gehen. Wellen und Sprünge werden auf einer Skala von 1 – 10 bewertet werden wobei der Fokus auf Radikalität und Höhe liegt – es kann also passieren dass ein extrem radikaler Sprung mit einer nicht ganz so sauberen Landung besser bewertet wird, als ein perfekt gelandetes Manöver. Die ersten Fahrer sind bereits in Irland angekommen – andere werden es in den nächsten Stunden nach tagelanger Anreise “just in time” schaffen.

Alle Infos gibt es in der “Press Release” unten sowie auf www.redbullstormchase.com

Ireland green-lighted! After 6 months of waiting the official GO for the first Mission of The Red Bull Storm Chase has finally been given. 10 of the world’s best windsurfers and the crew are now en-route to catch the tracking storm in time. The first round of the most-challenging windsurfing contest of all time is expected to start on Monday, January 28.

The spot: Brandon Bay, Ireland: Ireland is known for heavy storm surf and howling winds. Brandon Bay is a former PWA wave spot, where Red Bull Storm Chase can find the right break for almost any wind direction within a couple of kilometers. The bay allows perfect camera angles with stunning backgrounds. The sailors will have to fight with the fact that wind develops more power in colder temperatures. For the participants used to the warmer temperatures at home, this might become tricky. Average Temperatures: Air (Jan-Mar): 5-12°C, Water (Jan-Mar): 10°C

The Athletes: 10 windsurfers will compete in Mission number one: Josh Angulo (CPV), Marcilio Browne (BRA), Daniel Bruch (GER), Kenneth Danielsen (DNK), Victor Fernandez Lopez (ESP), Boujmaa Guilloul (MAR), Leon Jamaer (GER), Robby Swift (GBR), Julien Taboulet (FRA), and Thomas Traversa (FRA). Only six of them advance to Mission number two.

The Judging: Waves and jumps are scored on a scale from 1 to 10. Focus is on radicalness and height. An extremely high jump without a clean landing can get higher scores than a clean landed one. In order to incentivise sailors for variety, points will be deducted for repeating (-1 point or three times -2 points) in their top-5 scored moves.

The criteria for sessions will be set by the three Judges – Head Judge Duncan Coombs, Sports Director Klaas Voget and Guest Judge Timo Mullen. Competitors will be mixed and drawn by the head judge. Every sailor will have the opportunity to go out for multiple sessions. Judges will present the actual ranking after every complete round of sessions. The 5 best jumps and the 5 best waves from all sessions during the mission will be taken into the final score. At the end of the day, the crew, judges and all “non sailors” will vote for the highest jump and sickest wave ride. Competitors will be awarded with 5 extra points for these. If two competitors have the same amount of votes, the extra points will be shared

Live Reporting: Real time mission reportings from the sailors and crew members, latest information and stunning images from the mission at www.redbullstormchase.com

PR: Julia Lauber – BSP Media | pics by Red Bull Storm Chase

Wir haben gerade den neusten Freestyle Clip von Jacopo Testa gepostet. Der Italiener gibt in Gostoso Vollgas – unten folgt nun das komplette Gegenteil. Mathias Genkel surfte Anfang Januar 2 Tage in Norddeutschland. Dort gibts nicht nur weniger Farbe als in Brasilien, sondern auch schlappe 30 Grad weniger auf dem Thermometer. Mathias leidet zudem noch immer an einer Rückenverletzung – die sich aber langsam bessert. Wir wünschen weiter gute und vollständige Genesung und freuen uns auf mehr Footage wenn Mathias wirklich wieder voll einsatzfähig ist. Hoffentlich schon im Februar.

We just posted the latest freestyle clip of Jacopo Testa from Gostoso – below you’ll find the opposite. It’s from Mathias Genkel who sailed 2 days at the north of Germany at the beginning of January.

It’s all in the title: “Shades of Grey” plus Mathias sailed with an injured back which’s the main reason why he has to take it easy for a bit.

Fingers crossed for a 100% recovery and we hope to see more footage from Mathias asap when he’s back on track.

www.matswindsurfingpage.blogspot.com

Gostoso ist der perfekte Spot um einen Jeri Trip noch ein wenig zu verlängern – denn der Wind bleibt bis Februar / März dort zuverlässig. Das wusste auch Jacopo Testa, der einen neuen Brasilien Clip veröffentlicht hat. Wie vor ein paar Wochen gibts dort nicht für möglich gehaltene Airtime zu sehen – alle neusten Moves hat Jacopo drauf und wir werden sehen, wieviel er davon in dieser Saison im Heat platzieren kann.

Here’s Jacopo Testa with another unreal clip from Brazil. Gostoso offers a little bit of everything. Flatwater, Chop and also some waves plus the wind keeps up till February / March – the perfect spot to extend a trip to Jeri. Jacopo shows once more some unreal moves with loads of airtime and a super high level. Let’s see if he can show it on the Worldtour also. Enjoy the clip

Fanatic hat heute ein neues Video von Gollito Estredo veröffentlicht. Wie jedes Jahr trainiert Gollito hauptsächlich “zuhause” für die neue Saison. El Yaque und Adicora bieten dieses Jahr wieder perfekte Freestylebedingungen und Gollito scheint bereits mehr als bereit für die neue Saison zu sein. Etwas Zeit bleibt aber natürlich noch und wir werden sehen, ob Gollito selbst – oder ein anderer Fahrer – noch nachlegen kann

Fanatic just published a new video of Gollito Estredo tearing it up in El Yaque and Adicora. Looks like Gollito is more than ready for the upcoming season and we’re already looking forward. Still some time left and the El Yaque wind machine is running pretty well this year. Let’s see

Über F2 gibt es bereits seit Jahren praktisch jede Woche neue Gerüchte und wir haben aufgehört darüber zu schreiben, solange es keine offiziellen Statements gibt.

Dieses Mal scheinen die Gerüchte allerdings zu stimmen, denn Daniel Aeberli selbst hat sie auf Facebook bestätigt.

Er verlässt F2 – seinen Kommentar lest ihr unten. Wir sind gespannt wie es weitergeht und halten euch natürlich auf dem Laufenden was Danny – und F2 – für die Zukunft geplant haben.

There are always a lot of rumours about F2 in general and we stopped to write about till we are sure that it’s true.

This time – it seems to be true. Daniel Aeberli just confirmed on Facebook that he’ll leave F2.

Danny: “Thank you and Goodbye. Dear FB Friends, just to avoid some bad rumors – here the official news from my side that i have left the company F2. It was a pleasure to work for them and amazing time of my life! Lets Rock the Future. Danny”

We’ll keep you posted what there is to come – with Danny and F2 in general.