Matt Pritchard was crowned Red Bull King of the Lake 2001, making him this
season’s first winner of a PWA World Cup competition in Freestyle Windsurfing.
World champ Daida Ruano Moreno of Spain took the throne in the first ever female
category, winning the Queen of the Lake title. Best rookie and Prince of the
Lake is freestyle talent Riccardo Campello from
Venezuela.

Perfect wind conditions on the final day of the Soul Surfing Festival at Lake
Garda, guaranteed radical action right in front of the excited crowd. More than
3,000 freestyle enthusiasts made it to Conca d?Oro surf centre to be thrilled
and entertained by the world freestyle windsurfing elite.

American Matt Pritchard was undoubtedly man of the day, thoroughly deserving
the crown this year, after coming thirds place in 2000. In a dramatic final
he gave the other three guys a run for their money, including world champion
Josh Stone. Matt impressed the jury with the most radical moves, the best tricks
and the most expressive and dynamic overall impression. Flying Dutchman Remko
De Weerd was judged third followed by Web Pedrick of the USA.

“It was awesome! I felt really strong today! Hey man, it’s great to
be the King of freestyle!”

…with the beautiful Daida Moreno as the Queen by his side!

“I loved being out there. Really enjoyed it!”, stated Daida
Ruano Moreno with a big smile on her face. The young Spaniard from Las Palmas
is the current Overall and Wave PWA World Champion. Colette Guadagnino, elder
sister of last years King Diony, came in second and third place went to Daida’s
sister Iballa Ruano Moreno. 12 young freestyling maidens had come to Italy to
compete for the title Queen of the Lake 2001 and to show their male colleagues
what the true spirit of Soul Surfing is all about. They did, guys!

The search for the Prince of the Lake was also on. A bunch of young surfing
talents had the chance to prove their skills in front of the jury. And the crowd
loved them! In the end, Riccardo Campello from Venezuela made it into first
position. Second place went to Robby Swift from the UK with Brazilian Kauli
Seade coming third.

During the last competition, the Super Session, all riders rocked the waves
with style. High jumps, volcans, Willy Skippers… you name it, they did it!
In the end, American, Vidar Jensen took the honour and the $1.000 cash. At the
Super Session, all riders sailed in the high waves of a speedboat.

Soul Surfing Festival at Lake Garda

Soul, Sun and Surf: that’s what lies at the heart of the Red Bull King of the
Lake! Once a year, the true spirit of freestyle windsurfing is relived at the
“King”, where there are few rules (only those that are absolutely
necessary) and every amateur can fulfil his dream of competing against the world’s
greatest windsurfing champions in a PWA World Cup contest! And the King is much
more than just a windsurfing contest. Torbole saw three days filled with action:
parties, thrilling half pipe action with top skateboarders and BMX junkies,
a rock-concert featuring the bands, Natural Born Hippies and Liquido driving
thousands of spectators crazy on Saturday night ? what more can you ask for?

The contest consists of elimination competitions, with 48 participants (24
professionals and the same number of amateurs) competing against each other
in groups of four. The competitors who move on to the next round are those that
succeed in wowing the jury – composed of professional windsurfers and snowboarders
– with the most extreme manoeuvres, the most dazzling acrobatics and the best
overall impression.