KING OF THE CAPE – FINAL DAY

The final day of the 2002 Verizon King of the Cape Freestyle Pro-Am saw
winds, blowing from the SW in the 15-20mph range with higher gusts. Weather
forecasters, iWindsurf and NOAA, were spot on this time in predicting the
days winds. As such, the event got under way early so that all the rounds
could be completed for the remaining pro, amateur and novice heats.

Starting off in the morning the novice heats were run with Juniors first and
then the adults following. Most of the Novice Junior Division heats were
dominated by Christopher Bernabella [Bonaire], Will Johnson [USA], and Bjorn
Sargoza [Bonaire]. The Long Island contingent, brought by Jace Panebianco
had their hands full trying to match the skills of these more experienced
freestylists. Top of the heap from the NY crew was Adam Dannewitz [USA] who
pulled through to the finals to finish in 3rd place. Closely matched were
Bernabella and Sargoza, with 10 year old Bjorn Sargoza, the youngest
competitor coming out on top.

In the Novice Division, Francois Dufault [Canada] was smooth as butter
pulling of some very nice sail body 360s and some very nice Heli Tacks.
Clay Emer [Bonaire], was also equally impressive with a plethora smooth
transitions which sent him into the finals. Remsley Anthony [Bonaire] was
the best of the lot, pulling out some moves such as a VERY impressive duck
tack and push tack, putting him on top in the finals. In the end, Clay won
over Francois in a close battle between 2nd and 3rd.

Probably one of THE most impressive groups in the contest was the Amateur
Juniors, where MANY of the tricks being performed pushed the envelope,
possibly putting them in impressive finishes in the Pro Division. It was
such a close fight between first and second place, with Kiri Thode [Bonaire]
and Sammy Vingerhoets [Bonaire] battling it out, and a VERY close fight
between third and fourth place, with Jeremiah Malina [USA] and Bradley Louw
[South Africa] fighting till the end. The "on-the-rail-clew-first-tacks"
that Kiri and Sammy were performing even impressed many of the tour weary
veterans. On top of that when the planing conditions started pumping,
Vulcans and Grubbies were NOT uncommon. In the final count, Sammy beat out
last years champion, Kiri for first place and Jeremiah put Bradley down for
a third place.

The Amateur Men Division was certainly the breeding ground for some not so
distant future pros with enough aerial maneuvers to probably knock out a few
of the pros in the bottom of that division. Local sailor and wave sailing
standout, Jerry Evans [USA], pulled off some impressive flat water forwards
to push him into the finals. Also breezing through to the finals was Javier
Sint Jago [Aruba] who dazzled the judges with some smooth Spocks, Vulcans,
and event a few attempts at a Diablo. But, in the end Juvannie Thielmann
[Bonaire] showed these guys what freestyle was really all about by pulling
of some of the best aerial tricks of the division, putting him on top.

Finally, it was time to run the Pro Division and the planing conditions had
filled in perfectly with 20mph+ winds blowing. For the women, Daida Moreno
[Spain] and Colette Guadagnino [Venezuela] dominated the division by planing
sooner and more often enabling some really amazing aerial maneuvers.
Colette performed probably one of the best Grubbies in the contest,
practically planing out of the maneuver onto another transition. Daida was
equally impressive in her One Handed Spock-540s just feet from the beach,
wowing the crowd amassed at the shore. Freestyle newcomer to the pro scene,
Nori Hubbs [Canada] pulled out all the stops to get herself into the finals,
besting tour veteran Karin Jaggi [Switzerland] with some real smooth
Vulcans, Spocks, and willy skippers. Local resident sailor, Petra Kanz
[Austria], pushed the ladies when the winds lightened with her rock solid
planing maneuvers, but not quite enough in the aerial category to get a
podium finish.

The Pro Men Division was about the most impressive displays of freestyle and
such close competition that judging this group was the hardest. Any given
time during a heat, any one sailor was on fire. One heat leading up to the
finals was so close that it had to be re run as there was a tie all round as
each sailor matched each others moves for move. In the end, Matt Pritchard
[USA] and Keke Dimmers [Bonaire] pulled through that heat into the finals
and battled against last years King of the Cape, Martin VanGeehoven [Canada]
and Tati Frans [Bonaire]. Sometimes in the end, experience and a fluid
routine will win over youthful exuberance as Matt Pritchard took home the
crown of King of the Cape for 2002. Closely following was Tati Frans, who’s
majorly impressive Double Grubbies were not quite enough to pull him to the
top. Keke Dimmers [Bonaire] and Martin VanGeehoven battled it out but
couldn’t stay upwind enough to pull them into prime position for powered up
maneuvers off the wind. As such they suffered slightly in their moves.
Keke ended up over Martin in the end, but both put in great effort and a
wonderful display of skill.

The 2002 Verizon King of the Cape Freestyle Pro-Am would not have been
possible without the generous support of our sponsors: Verizon Wireless &
SuperPages.com, Paul Mitchell Systems, Hyannis Nissan, Vision Performance
Group, Gaastra Sails, AHD, Fiberspar, Cape Cod Windsurfing Association,
WindsurfingClassifieds.com, Caribbean Wind&Sun Vacations, Red Bull, Can-Am
Sailcraft, Cape Cod Windsurfing Academy, New England Windsurfing Journal,
Windsport, Windsurfing Magazine, Chatham Pottery, Hy Line Cruises, Venus
Swimwear, Uzzi Amphibious Gear, Cape Cod Potato Chips, Bonaire Hotel and
Tourist Association, Divi Flamingo Resort, Jibe City, Hertz/Bonaire,
iWindsurf.com, Dennis and Cape Cod Chamber of Commerces, Dagger Optics, John
Willis, Sports MD, Da Kine, Sky Light Jewelers, Mysterioso, Curtis Fins,
Ocean Potion Suncare, Corsair Cross Rip Hotel, American Windsurfing
Industries Association, and US Windsurfing.

And the amazing support of our volunteer staff: Ann Phelan, Marc Lefebvre,
Peter Hart, Jim Desilva, Nevin Sayre, Chris Decerbo, Bo Pierscionek, Steve
Saunders, Chuck, Ayesha Wadud, Chris Caron, Mike Morales, Adam, Jerry Evans,
Bill and Deb Reid, Janice Digoia, Jen McBournie, Mary Ryan, Dave Boynton,
Scott Wilson, Maggie Wynter, Kelly Decerbo,
Katherine Kimball, Nancy Sheeley.

Mark your calenders NOW, the 2002 King of the Caribbean Freestyle Pro-Am is
slated for second week in December with a prize purse of atleast $35,000USD.
This freestyle World Cup event for men and women will be taking place on the
island nation of Bonaire. Stay posted for MORE details as they come
available.

Pro Men:
1) Matt Pritchard ($3000)
2) Tati Frans ($2000)
3) Keke Dammers ($1375)
4) Martin VanGeehoven ($1000)
5) Tonky Frans ($750)
6) Ricardo Campello ($600)
7) Diony Guadagnino ($525)
8) Brian Talma ($375)
9) Jace Panebianco ($250)
10) Pablo Wohlgemuth ($125)
11) Ro Mayer
11) Olivier Matte
11) Mike Burns
11) Ruben Petrisie
15) Nathan Mershon
15) Luke Nagel
15) Darby Marriott

Pro Women:
1) Colette Guadagnino ($1500)
2) Daida Moreno ($1250)
3) Nori Hubbs ($1000)
4) Karin Jaggi ($750)
5) Petra Kanz ($500)

Amateur Men:
1) Juvannie Thielmann
2) Javier Sint Jago
3) Jerry Evans
4) Fred Vetterlein
5) Lawrence Hoff
6) Bill Reid
7) Jamey Clark
8) Neil Malik
9) Peter Kimball
10) Chris Lowrie
11) Mark Goldman

Amateur Junior:
1) Sammy Vingerhoets
2) Kiri Thode
3) Jeremiah Malina
4) Bradley Louw

Novice:
1) Remsley Anthony
2) Clay Emer
3) Francois Dufault
4) Stewart Snoddgrass
5) David Richardson
6) Dottie Daniel
7) Tom Whittemore
8) Ace Ali
9) Nancy Liu
10) Christine Tarantini

Novice Junior:
1) Bjorn Sargoza
2) Christopher Bernabella
3) Adam Dannewitz
4) Will Johnson
5) Jimmy Solbeck
6) Chris Schilling
7) Marianna Scamboli
8) Kristin Avlolio
9) Solvig Sayre