The 2003 Verizon Wireless, King Of The Cape PWA Freestyle Qualifier Registration
Based approximately 100km south of Boston on the East Coast of America, the PWA world tour has arrived at West Dennis Beach on the beautiful Cape Cod Peninsula for a $15,000 freestyle qualifier. This annual US event has been taking place over consecutive years since 1999, although this is the first year it has received PWA recognition.
Amongst the impressive list of entrants who registered today here in Cape Cod are the freestyle maestros from Bonaire Tonky and Taty Frans (Gaastra, AHD) and UK aspiring hotshots Robby Swift (JP, Neil Pryde) and Andy Funnell (F2, Arrows).
Just the mention of the presence of the Frans brothers on the water is enough to strike fear into the hearts of many of the established guard on the PWA freestyle circuit. All year round sunshine, warm water and constant winds at their home spot in Bonaire has provided the training ground to turn both Tonky and Taty into deadly competitors capable of winning in any kind of conditions. Last year they forgot to bring their wetsuits to Cape Cod (The temperature here can be somewhat colder than the Caribbean!) and were forced to borrow bright green suites from the local dive shop. This year they will be making no such mistakes!
Despite the fact he is only nineteen years of age, Robby Swift has been already been around on the PWA tour for several years. A member of the Scott Sanchez, MPG team, Swift has already mad a huge impact on the PWA tour and many are tipping him as potential podium finisher in both waves and freestyle at the end of this season. A year older but still a definite young gun, Andy Funnell is another British talent who could be going places. After placing fifth in the PWA Tarifa qualifier earlier this season, Funnell now has the taste for success and will be hungry to improve on that result here in Cape Code.
The King Of the Cape not only caters for the seasoned pro sailors who are here to compete for the cash and valuable PWA ranking points but also provides an opportunity for the average weekend warrior who dabbles in freestyle to compete in the amateur classes. Alongside the Pro /Am event there is also a Kids Camp, run by ex racer Nevin Sayre, which provides a chance for juniors to learn, sail with and gain valuable experience from the pro’s.
Another important ingredient here in Cape Cod is the party atmosphere which kicks off tonight with a huge Red Bull party open to both the sailors and the general public. There is more in store tomorrow night with another rocking Red Bull party so sailors should be kept suitably entertained both on and off the water!
Today was registration day, so for the Pro’s it was time to rig their equipment and mentally prepare for battle. The forecast is promising right through the weekend so official action should kick off tomorrow morning if conditions allow.
Watch this space for daily updates of all the latest news, gossip and results from the biggest windsurfing party in New England!