2001 spark7.com Windsurfing World Cup Neusiedler See Day 7
The extra day of the SPARK7.COM Freestyle Grand Prix in Austria. Another beautiful day, a holiday in Austria and therefore loads of people on the beach. Again very light south-easterly winds just not enough to start the competition.
Looking back to the past seven days quite a lot was happening just no Freestyle competition. Wednesday was inscription day only and as there was no wind at all everybody had enough time to prepare all the equipment. Thursday there were quite good north-westerly winds and the competition was on. Chilli temperatures accompanied with the wind made the competitors pull out their hoods, warm wetsuits, shoes and gloves. But unfortunately the wind didn't stay. After calling off heat number 9 twice the competition was postponed and couldn’t be started again until the end of this years SPARK7.COM Freestyle Grand Prix in Austria.
But still there was good action going on, on the water and especially for the Austrian competitors it turned out pretty good as most of them advanced into the next round! Kevin Pritchard (Gaastra/Bic) was in one heat together with his brother Matt (Gaastra/AHD). Both were fighting hard and finally both advanced.
This years mens fleet was filled with lots of new names like Nathan Mershon (Naish Sails and Boards), 15 year old Ricardo Alvarez (Neil Pryde/JP) from Venezuela, Diony Guadagnino (Neil Pryde/JP), Joshi Markthaler (Neil Pryde/JP) and many more. All these young guns couldn’t wait to show how they could go off but they unfortunately they had no chance to show their talents in this years SPARK7.COM Freestyle Grand Prix in Austria. They have to wait for the next competition and there they probably gonna be even more on fire!
As the first event of the freestyle tour 2001 the SPARK7.COM Freestyle Grand Prix offered a variety of activities for visitors and competitors besides the main event. The Splash Pipe Contest, which got pretty famous over the years was an attraction everyday and the participants got really innovative this year. There were a lot of presentations of new windsurfing equipment from different brands always accompanied by some well spoken words from the different star sailors!! All in all the whole event was pretty satisfying for the organizers and sponsors, although there was no result in the competition.
Martin Egger (Event organizer, DMG Marketing)
" We are very happy! I think it was a pretty good event although that it is a pity that we couldn't get a result this year. From the marketing point of view I must say that it was "good" that we didn't have strong winds, temperatures close to the freezing point and no spectators because like this all the sponsors are satisfied and that's very good for next years event. From the sportive point of view It`s a pity that we didn't get a result. It would have been so nice to get a combination of beautiful weather and good wind for the competition like in the years before but let's hope the best for the next years event!!
The number of visitors got really close to the number of last year and that’s a lot!
At 4 o’clock pm all competitors were called to the stage once more for the big goodbye ceremony. Some of them already packed their stuff in the morning as the wind didn't look too promising. Others still had their equipment fully rigged in the race tent and used this last day to relax, recover a little from the parties and enjoy Austria’s sun! Although there wasn't a competition everybody is looking forward to come back next year to get some good sailing like in the years before.
Josh Stone (Freestyle World champion; Neil Pryde/JP)
" I really enjoyed it! I think everybody had a lot of fun. It`s just very sad that we didn't get the chance to get a result. But I'm really looking forward to come back next year, to get good sailing conditions, good parties and a result!"
This years SPARK7.COM Freestyle Grand Prix 2001 at Lake Neusiedl in Austria is finished, but everybody is looking forward to coming back next year for a great competition!