Hello everybody
2015 has just started and the first contest of the year has already happened. Not in Freestyle this time but in Waves. End of last year I decided it was time for me to join a new discipline and thanks to my sponsors I will be able to compete on both the Freestyle and Wave tour next year, making me attend more contests and see new places!
pic. by JC
Over the past 2 months I have spent a great time in Western-Australia training for both disciplines together with some of the best wave sailors in the world. Last weekend I had my first wave contest of the year and my first ever Lancelin Ocean classic. After just arriving 3 days before in Australia I didn’t have any practice in waves before the contest started on Thursday. Lucky for me the Elite men were last so I could get a bit of practice before the heats would start. Wind was great and waves were a perfect size for Lancelin, as well as creating a really fun steep part at the shallow inside section.
pic. by JC
Entering the Elite men meant there weren’t going to be any easy heats and for the first heat I was straight away against Scott McKercher to make it into the top 4. I had a good heat but knew I could have done better so hearing I passed this heat and not being kicked out straight away got me fully motivated for the next heat against Ben Severne. With 3 waves and 3 jumps to count in a 10 min heat there was not much time for mistakes. I got a perfect rythm that heat and sailed better than I ever sailed before in a wave contest combining good top turns with fast takas and backside 360 to get into the final against Jaeger Stone.
pic. by JC
During this last heat I couldn’t really get into the same rythm anymore and obviously lost against Jaeger who sailed just at another level than everyone landing a backloop even higher than the Helicopter that was flying above the contest area for pictures. For me, I already won my contest by getting to the final and securing a 2nd place in my first international wave contest of the year. It all ended with a great party in the Pub on Saturday and a nice little BBQ on Sunday before leaving to search more wind and waves across the west-coast.
pic. by JC
Next contest in a bit more than a week in Perth at Woodman’s point! For now time to train some more Freestyle and wave in Geraldton.
Cheers Dieter
