The Professional Windsurfers Association is proud to announce the 2 new Freestyle
World Champions for 2001. Now that the Sylt Grand Prix has been confirmed as
a Wave Performance event, the final wrap has been put on the Freestyle tour
for 2001. In a year that has seen the most diverse action from the Freestyle
fleet, in locations as different as Neusiedlersee in Austria and Lake Garda
in Italy, to Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura in the Atlantic, two new names have
prevailed to take the titles in the Men’s and Women’s divisions.
Frenchman Antoine Albeau (F-192, Neil Pryde/AHD), dominated in the atomic winds
of Gran Canaria, using brute force and incredible skill to overpower all of
the competition and finish in first. Antoine then sailed a very consolidated
and well-rounded performance in Fuerteventura to hang on to a very respectable
fifth and thus take the title as the number one Freestyler for 2001.
Antoine’s victory clearly ends the domination of former World Champion Josh
Stone (USA-6, Neil Pryde/JP Australia), who had commanded the discipline since
it’s inception. Josh was not left too far behind though finishing 2001 in second,
with the undeniable consistency of Matt Pritchard (US-10, Gaastra/AHD) assuring
him third.
In the Women’s division Venezuelan Colette Guadagnino (V-711, Neil Pryde/JP
Australia), fought off notable challenges from the likes of the Moreno twins
(E-63/E-64, North/Mistral) and Karin Jaggi (Z-14, Arrows/F2), to prevail as
the new Women’s champion. Colette’s performance has planted her firmly on top
as the superior female trickster, clearly labelling her as one of the most consistent
girls on tour.
With two events left on the PWA Wave Tour, the titles are still very much up
for grabs for both men and women, so as battle commences this week in Germany
and then 2 weeks later in Ireland it will be all to play for, for those left
in the running.
