Red Bull Storm Chase

Potential competitors for the world’s toughest windsurfing contest revealed

Joining the previous finalists from last Red Bull Storm Chase, ten new names are on the shortlist for a last-minute call to chase down a winter storm Force 10 or higher.

What does it take to plunge head-first into the roughest, toughest windsurfing contest around? Skill, bravery, years of practice, the right gear – and the following ten sailors have all that in abundance. When the contest window opens on January 9th, 2017, they could find themselves on a last-minute flight resulting in a date with one of the winter’s most ferocious storms.

Once the contest is given the green light, the judges will select four more finalists from the ten nominees listed below who will square-up against the four set riders in a storm sailing contest. Our expert panel will choose the final attendees last minute, depending on availability and skill-set. The nominees listed below are in no particular order of preference or ranking.

Nominees

Jaeger Stone (Starboard / Severne / SWOX / Shamal Sunglasses), Australia

Ricardo Campello (Patrik / Point-7 / MFC), Venezuela/Brazil 

Adam Lewis (Fanatic / NorthSails / SWOX), United Kingdom 

Antoine Martin (JP / NeilPryde / MFC), France 

Robby Swift (JP / NeilPryde / SWOX / Mystic), United Kingdom 

Philip Köster (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins), Germany

Kai Lenny (Naish / Naish Sails / MFC), USA

Camille Juban (Quatro / Simmer / MFC), France 

Victor Fernández López (Fanatic / NorthSails / MFC / Shamal Sunglasses), Spain

Jules Denel (JP / NeilPryde), France

Sailors Already Qualified

— Thomas Traversa (Tabou / GA Sails), France

— Dany Bruch (Starboard / Challenger Sails / AL360 / Shamal Sunglasses), Spain

— Leon Jamaer (JP / NeilPryde), Germany 

— Marcilio Browne (Goya Windsurfing / MFC), Brazil

Upon confirmation of the green light 72 hours before the start of the contest the sailors will have 48 hours to be onsite at the event location. Inability to arrive (with gear) means a sailor will forfeit their place to another rider on the nominee list.

Key Facts:

• The world’s toughest windsurfing contest, requiring a Force 10 storm in a

suitable location to occur

• Contest window begins January 9th, 2017 and runs to March 12th, 2017

• Riders judged on jumps and wave riding – execution of tricks

• Four riders are qualified from last event; four riders will be chosen from the

shortlist of ten nominees

• Fans (and riders) can propose locations

• Event is confirmed only 72 hours before the start of competition

Location and safety

As stated, the mobile and reactive nature of the contest means the location is yet unknown. However, priority will be given to locations that offer: a likely combination of Force 10 wind and waves; close proximity to an international airport, adequate medical coverage and emergency services, and an absolute guarantee of adequate water access. 

During the given weather window these conditions are most likely to form in the Northern Hemisphere. Full safety crews consisting of watersports and medical professionals will be onsite to assist in the event of an emergency.

Event Coverage and Timing

A ‘watch’ alert will go out approximately 120 hours before the event, and confirmation will come just 72 hours before the event, at which point, riders and event crews will travel to the selected location. Pre, during, and post-event updates will be available online at Facebook.com/redbullstormchase.