The 2011 PWA Austria freestyle world cup event started on the 3rd of may with really strong wind and cold weather conditions. It's just surprising on how quickly and out of nowhere the wind can get strong, "really strong". It's like expect the unexpected.

May 3rd, single elimination: The wind build in at around mid day and got stronger as the day goes on. It was like survive of the fitness. Super windy never in my 4 years coming here I saw such wind in Austria, Podersdorf. Most guys were on 4.2 4.5. My smallest sail I toke was the Loco 4.8.

The heats started with wind probably gusting around 30-35 knots for sure. Well my 4.8 was still working pretty great in these conditions as for times the gust was making it hard for everyone to do moves, but I made the best out of it to do what I could do.

As far we got in the quarter and semi finals of the single elimination the heats where getting harder as the wind kept blowing and hands where freezing cold. My mission was to at least get in the top 4 in the single elimination. Made it to the semifinal against Kiri while I was not really feeling my hands and face.. Was crashing to many times. I couldn't really get it together and lost against Kiri, but I have to say Kiri did good.

Having to compete against gollito for the 3rd or 4th place I was really doing good with, I really thought I won but in the end they gave the third place to Gollito so I got 4th place in the single.

Kiri went to face Steven: this heat was really insane, Steven got his game by sticking only air moves, while Kiri didn't get so much air and stick to his combos moves, and it was clear that Steven air moves impresses the judges more and he won and left Kiri with 2nd place.

4th May double elimination: Skipper meeting was at 6 o'clock. Wind lighter then the previous day. While I was already in the top 4 was a long way before I could sail. So I wait and watch the guys fighting to see who I will have to face. Philip Soltysiak and Davy Sheffy were the best guys out there who were always accelerating at first and having the best big moves. When these two guys were to face each other to advance to face me, Sheffy really step his game up and was sailing solid and advanced to face me.

As the wind was a bit lighter I toke out the 5.2 Loco and it was the sail that I need for this wind, sailing upwind was perfect on 5.2. But just 2 minutes the heat start the wind was getting lighter and  shifty. I was most of the time no planing, it's like the wind or the white caps were teasing me, it was really tricky.. I was struggling to do moves but still pumping and do my best with the 5.2 to do some moves at the end I didn't do no big moves like, kono,cull or burner. Sheffy really sailed solid and was inform to advance against me.

So this left me to finish 5th in the double and 5th overall in the 2011 PWA Podersdorf freestyle world cup event. At the end Sheffy beat Gollito, while Kiri stopped Sheffy winning game. Again we had Kiri v.s Steven. First heat Kiri won Steven but because Steven won the single elimination, they had to go at it again. Last final heat: saw Kiri pulling some big air kono's and culo was crashing the landings while Steven really kept it solid and save with culo, kono's, air flaka, burner, air funnel, and some sliding moves to take the event win. Still it was. 0,5 win for Steven, but like they say win is a win.

Overall event results : Steven, Kiri, Davy, Gollito and me.

Overall I believe it was a very hard event and conditions for everyone, and I still feel okay to finish 5th pace here in Austria. I could have done things different now that I sit down and think about it. But that will be a lesson learn. Having your hands freezing cold and not even feeling your hands touching the booms is really a bad feeling. I really want to congratulate Steven on his first ever PWA win.

Bonaire is next.

Taty Frans NB-9

Photos : PWA/Carter