| CAPE COD, USA-(8-6-2003) Taty Frans (Gaastra/AHD) has been crowned King Of the Cape here at the Cape Cod, PWA freestyle qualifier. Light offshore winds here today prevented any official action that would count towards PWA rankings but instead sailors competed for $10,000 of the prize purse in a light wind freestyle format. Three pro rounds were held this afternoon, each with two semi finals and a final. Todays competition here at West Dennis Beach, Cape Cod was watched by around 3000 spectators with the Pro's, Novices and Amateurs all putting on an incredible show considering the conditions.
Taty Frans who hails from Bonaire in the Dutch Caribbean was undoubtedly the outstanding sailor today, impressing the crowds and the judges with his incredible freestyle trickery. Amongst his maneuvers were inside the boom 360's, pirouette gibes and fin first back to the sail riding. In the testing conditions Taty showed that he is a true all round freestyler able to compete to the highest level in light winds as well as the stronger winds to which he is more accustomed. Hot on his heels in second was his brother Tonky Frans (Gaastra/AHD) who made a strong comeback today after failing to reach the first of the three finals. Taking the final podium position was American longboard freestyle specialist Mike Burns (North) who kept the crowds entertained with his amazing traditional freestyle routine.
Also taking to the water today were the amateur fleet, novice fleet and more fun and games from Nevin Sayre's Kids club, making for non-stop windsurfing action and entertainment for the enthusiastic crowds. Many manufacturers have also been displaying their latest boards and sails have also been available to the public for demos.
Despite marginal conditions the King Of the Cape, windfest put on an excellent show and went down a storm with the New England crowds. Windsurfing is definitely alive on the East Coast of the United States and hopefully the PWA will be back next year for more action.
Next stop on the PWA world tour will be one of the biggest events on the calendar - The Pozo, Grand Slam in Gran Canaria, taking place between the 26th of June through July 3rd. Kevin Pritchard (Gaastra, Starboard) and Nik Baker (Mistral, North) who have both been out of action due to injury will hopefully be back to full strength in time for Pozo. There is a strong chance that they could come up against women's world champion Daida Moreno (Mistral, North) who has been awarded a special wild card to compete in the waves against the men's fleet. Moreno will be seeded as one of the lowest ranked sailors so will have to compete against one of the top ten male sailors in the first round of the single elimination.
Watch this space for all the news, results and pictures, which will be posted daily as the action takes place.
RESULTS (not towards PWA rankings)
1. TATY FRANS (GAASTRA, AHD) $3000.
2. TONKY FRANS (GAASTRA, AHD) $2000.
3. MIKE BURNS (NORTH) $1250.
4. JACE PANEBIANCO $1000.
5. RILEY COON (STARBOARD) $675.
6. ROBBY SWIFT (JP, NEIL PRYDE) $675
7. KEKE DAMMERS (STARBOARD) $525
8. NIK WARMUTH (GAASTRA, STARBOARD) $375
9. JAYSON JONGE $250.
10. ANDY FUNNELL (F2, ARROWS) $150
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