What a long 10 day event this has been. This year we had very difficult wind conditions. The waiting game was very much in the pocket. But that gave me enough time to rest and gave me the strength to recover from the long flight we had from Bonaire to Westerland Sylt.

The event started on the 24th with the usual open ceremony with a hugh crowds looking at all the competitors from all different countries. It's always amazing to be in SYLT because this is the biggest event from the whole PWA tour. The crowds come and the beach is always packed with people watching the action.

I came to Sylt in 6th position but knowing that I can still have a great Overall freestyle ranking if I stay focused and make sure that Steven, Kiri, Tonky finish behind me. But I hadn't sailed for eight weeks after Fuerteventura it was kind of weird to be in this cold weather in Sylt and compete directly in the heats. Even though I know I won last year  it was different because last year I sailed for eight weeks straight and I came to Sylt fully prepared. This year in Bonaire the conditions were different.

On the first day of the event there was not sufficient wind and so I took this day to build energy and to stay focused and make myself relax in my mind so that I can perform at my best. Looking back at some freestyle video which Bogo sent to me some weeks back was a great thing to keep me in the groove.

On the second day pretty late in the afternoon  the wind remained gusty and not so good to do a start of freestyle, so I went out at 3 O'clock and sailed for three hours, It was very gusty but every now and then you can find some wind to train some moves. It was great to sail again and to be able to still have the moves working.

The third day of the event the wind was gusty and not from a good direction but it was enough to start the freestyle heats. Head Judge Duncan had the heats running for 12 minuuts  with 6 moves and the three best counts from both sides. It was enough to complete a single for this day and with this kind of wind direction and the forecast wasn't really looking so promising. It wasn't 100% sure that we can have a double elimination finished before the end of the Event. So a mistake wasn't a good thing. I put that out of my mind and built positive thoughts in my mind. I gained confidence in myself so this was a great feeling to have. :) I was so happy and greatful for this feeling

1st Heat: Taty - Yarden Meir
My Loco 5.2 and Starboard 98 was the best choice for this wind. My first heat was with Yarden Meir from Israel. As we had 12 minute heats I took this heat with ease using my time to really do the best big moves and as the time goes in between do some combination moves. I knew I won the heat because it's just the feeling I had that I was better.

2nd Heat: Taty - Maarten van Ochten
With each I was advancing thru the competitors were getting stronger. Maarten van Octhen really did show a great heat against me but I really had to play it safe and didn't really go  big as in the previous heats as I had to save some energy for the heats that are coming. I did mostly combination moves like: double flaka, puneta diablo, shaka flaka, switch chacho and so on. I won but Maarten told me it was a 1 point different.

3rd heat: Taty - Andy Chambers
I remember before we went in this heat I remember Andy telling me I think I am going on my 5.7. I said to him I will keep my 5.2 loco.. because this sail is very good in medium gusty conditions.. and when the green flag went up the wind was really strong I was powered up with my 5.2 and I started the heat with a high SHAKA then straight into a CULO after that I was just pulling KONO, BURNER, DOUBLE FLAKA move after move because I just need to win the heat so that I can at least  have a shot to be in the semi final and get a good podium finish for Sylt. I felt very relaxed in and after this heat and I was feeling warm. Winning this heat was a great feeling.

4th heat SEMI FINAL: Taty - Kiri
This was a hard heat because If I beat Kiri then I know that I can sure have a podium finish here Sylt and maybe also a better Overall ranking. Nothing was scaring me and I was only focusing to go out on the water and sail heat after heat and  to make sure that every move I do was done with style and speed. Started off with a great SHAKA FLAKA with the help of a wave then again straight into a CULO. back to the beach I did PUNCH,DOUBLE SPOCK, back out switch chacho, HIGH KONO I was just nailing every move I had in my head and plan to do in this heat.. Yes I did crash like two times but i had good feeling I won because I knew I had great and BIG moves. After the heat ended I went to the judges tower for the scoring and DUNCAN looked at me and raise his tumb up I was like YES WOOWWWWWWWW…………… :) BIG SMILE. because now for sure I know I have a podium finish

Back to the other heat Gollito beat Steven. So I was like... okay... cool this can be great because now I know I can get a top three in the overall for the year.

Winners Final Heat: Taty - Gollito
I started with some great moves using the tricky gusty wind to plane and do couple of the air moves but then I went to much on the inside while Gollito stick to the outside and started pull off the Burner, Culo and a sick Punch. I think that the last three moves he did really gained him enough points to have a win.

Loser final: Kiri - Steven.
I didn't really look at this heat all the way to the final but I saw Steven pulling sick air moves and while Kiri was just sliding around. It was kind of close between Steven and Kiri.

As we got on the stage and the announcer said:

1st place goes to Gollito
2nd for Taty Frans
3rd place goes to Steven
4th to Kiri

All that I can say you can't not have a better final with the best four guys fighting it for the top spot. All that I can say at this moment is I am very happy to have finished 2nd in Sylt and with having this results with Kiri in 4th and Steven in 3rd gave me the chance to climb from the 6th position to being the VICE WORLD CHAMPION for 2010. It's just a great feeling to be back on top after 3 years of having really bad results just when I thought I have lost it all I have found the COURAGE, the POWER, and POSITIVE MIND to work and be back on top. What a great feeling and just a great wonderful overall Result.

I want to thank: all my Sponsors: MauiSails, Starboard, Maui Ultra Fins, Bonaire WIndsurf Place, Mystic clothing for their support.

NIGHT SUPER SESION

Was the best but hard to get going with the Jetski as it was dark wavy and also the wind was blowing and this is not so good to do jetski sailing but what do you do when you have thousands people at the beach at night just ancious to watch the best freestylers putting action on the water. So we did it for the crowds and I think it's the best thing they have seen so far.. People where screaming and they where just loving it.. Gollito came in first with a nice Burner. Ricardo came in 2nd with a great Funnel one handed. I came in 3rd with an Airfunnel into flaka but didn't really quite pull the landing so well in the end but still I got the third place.

For sure this tow jetski windsurfing will be something great for places with no wind and still a great attractive for the crowds.

Well
That's it for now.
Thank you for reading
Taty Frans NB-9

Photos : PWA/Carter