DAY 6 REPORT WHITE AIR 2007

Saturday 1st September

Saturday 1st September

Today has been an absolute blinder with loads happening on the water, on the land, and in the sky! Spectators were treated to an expert 23minute display from the Red Arrows, together with pro comps across a range of extreme sports.

Tim Wills, pro trials rider, drew the crowds in on his mountain bike, performing tricks and stunts on his scaffold and stage constructed park. Tim was jumping onto 7 foot high platforms, and bouncing down to lower platforms in huge precision jumps. Tim’s technical ability to put on these displays is outstanding, managing to land in exactly any spot he wants, whether it is in between somebody’s legs, or directly on top of a coffee cup.

On the main park, the Mountain Board European Championships wowed keen onlookers. Professional international riders from Switzerland, Belgium and the UK were chosen from yesterday’s qualifiers to take part in the comp. There were also two wild cards chosen to compete; Jamie 2 and island rider Will. Ten riders really made the most of impressing the crowds, with MBS rider Arno VDV pulling backside 180’s and rodeo’s over the hubba hubba, Trampa rider Tom Reece pulling backside 360’s, and the highlight of the whole comp, Swiss rider Marco Dalher managing a massive double backflip. The headwind tested the riders, but also meant there has been plenty of action on the water today!

The ‘Pierats’ were back on the beach at Yaverland with their jetskis bopping through the water. Randi Martin, Mad Butcher and Radical Tan were performing a whole host of stunts including barrel rolls, bulldogs, flares, tail stands and nose stabs. These guys really know how to jibe in the waves. The slightly choppier water today has meant better free riding rather than the routines they were performing yesterday.

The Thundercats have also been battling it out in four races held today. These powerboats are absolute stunners to watch, the power and adrenaline of these boats is fantastic.

The World Windsurfing Grand Prix Formula also took place today. The small but strong fleet managed to race twice, knocking the total number of races up to seven. The ‘sidewinder’ course was tactical as it was also much windier today than previous racing days. Gonzalo Costa Hoevel won both races, putting him in first place overall. In second place was Steve Allen and in third, Jesper Vesterstrom. Steve and Jesper both have 9 points, but Steve took second place as he discarded a 3rd position whereas Jesper discarded a 4th position. The results are proving to be very close; Alberto Menegatti took fourth place, and Hubert Mokrzycki took fifth, but both sailors have 21 points. There will be more racing tomorrow, along with the UK Freestyle Windsurfing Championships.