All hail the King!
Ex PWA blow in sailor Kristoffer Living from Sweden has snatched the King of the Bay trophy by very narrowly winning on a count back to ZU Teamrider “Flacky” who I think may be suffering from mild concussion from continual crowd entertaining double forward loop attempts.
The KOB proceedings started a bit slow with only 20 to 25 knots at the official briefing time of 5pm. The decision was made to delay the start to 6pm due the wind forecasted to increase and South Channel already cranking at 30 knots.
Rigging before the wind kicked in
Big thanks to Severne Sails for sponsoring the Event
Drawing on 20 years of local Pookipa knowledge, all faith was with the official weather forecaster, Duncan, who ensured everyone the wind was going to crank very soon. As promised, come 5:45pm the wind starting to building to 25 to 30 knots and everyone was getting amped for a classic KOB. Rumor has it Channel 9 is seeking to employ Duncan as the prime time news Weather Reporter ousting Livina Nixon!
Our weather man in high vis gear (briefing group B)
With approximately 25 competitors signed up, the format for the evening was two expressions sessions followed by a final of 8 competitors. As soon as the horn sounded to start the first expression session, it was absolute carnage with everyone putting body and limb on the line and pushing themselves beyond the limit. Initial standouts were Victor and Flacky racking up some huge forwards and double attempts by Flacky who quickly sailed back to the beach during the heat to put on a helmet! The second heat saw the same intensity with the wind picking up even more. You could almost throw a blanket over the top 4 competitors in the 2nd expression session who progressed through to the final with a impressive display of forwards, backloops and pushloops.
Ex PWA sailor Kristoffer showing how it's done
When the hooter sounded for the final, the wind was peaking at 30 to 35 knots which put on one of the most impressive displays of windsurfing seen at Pookipa. It truly lived up to its name with end over forwards, big delayed forwards, back loops as big crashes. The flying Swede, Kristoffer had is game face on and sailed a very tactical heat by staying upwind and waiting for the gusts then sailing in at warp speed into the jumping zone and pulling off the biggest delayed forwards and back loops that have been seen in the bay. From the beach, Kristoffer appeared the clear winner however Flacky drew on points due to the bonus points for having the biggest big pair of cojonas and attempting legitimate double forwards. (apparently he wasn’t feeling well the day after)
Flacky creating some spray
Victor stalled forward
Tony with a great Gopro shot
Flacky bails mid double forward
Joel mid pushloop
Awesome spectacle from the pier
Following the days competition, everyone gathered at the local restaurant, La Porchetta for some very well earned beers and pizza and crowning of the King, Kristoffer Living. It was a great evening of windsurfing with everyone buzzing from the awesome conditions and incredible sailing. A big thanks has to go out to Severne Sails as the official sponsor and the boys from Elwood sailboarders for helping organizing and running the KOB.
Long live the King ! Kristoffer and Flacky sharing the spoils
1st Place Kristoffer Living (26 points)
2nd Place Steve Flack (22+4 points)
3rd Place Victor Depoorter (22.5 points)
4th Place Joel Ryan (19 points)
5th Place Paul Hurley (16 points)
Best double forward attempts Steve Flack
The bar has been raised for King of the Bay so watch this space for next year!
We have 75 amazing shots from Jussiox, we will post a link later today so you can see all the shots. If you want full resolution shots please come and see us at The ZU Boardsports (bring a usb stick).
LINK: Coming soon !
Some further great pictures can be found at Leashed Photography www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.942687019100491.1073741839.819074208128440&type=3
Please share any other pictures on this thread so we keep it all in one place !
Ripper event an awesome conditions. Pookia delivered. Well done to all the helped, competed and watched!
Awesome photos, kudos to the photographer. Love the lighting in the back loop, storm clouds in background, sailor in the light.
More photos of the comp are up on our page... the new album is of the warm up before the comp, hopefully we can have the rest of the photos up in the next day or two
www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.943891422313384.1073741840.819074208128440&type=3&uploaded=61
Next upload is now on our FB page ... (112 photos uploaded)
www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.944068492295677.1073741841.819074208128440&type=3
Here are a few examples, including a couple of optical illusions
The editing has been completed and I have just uploaded the album on our FB page...
www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.945011328868060.1073741842.819074208128440&type=3&uploaded=83
Thank you for your excellent feedback and comments on our page... for those who asked about high resolution image files or prints have a look at the part 2 comp album comments for options.
Cheers
Rick
KOTB winners, Steve and Kristoffer are now officially aded to the King of the Bay trophy.
Looks like a lot of crew are practising forwards this summer, nearly more people Looping than gybing on a windy day. So promises some great action for next season !