LA COUPE DES ISLES PWA FREESTYLE GRAND PRIX, DAY 4

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Thursday September 5, 2002
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The wind refused to play ball today here in the Magdalen s. Following an
intense day of competition yesterday, sailors have been taking advantage
of a rest day, to relax aching muscles, attend to any equipment repairs
and chill out whilst waiting for the hourly announcements. Head freestyle
judge, Klaus Michael made the call this afternoon to move over to Corfu
beach but the wind never picked up much above twelve knots. Local
forecasters are calling for strengthening winds overnight and it looks
like we will be back in action tomorrow.

Ricardo Campello (JP, Neil Pryde) took first blood here in Canada
yesterday after winning the double elimination final against Matt
Pritchard (AHD, Gaastra) of America. Nik Baker (North, Mistral) and Robby
Swift (JP, Neil Pryde) from the Team MPG took third and fourth slots, with
Hawaiian sailor Josh Stone (JP, Neil Pryde) and Kauli Seadi (Naish Boards,
Naish sails) of Brazil sharing 5th.

John Skye (F2, Arrows) who came to Canada lying in second in the PWA
freestyle rankings suffered further disappointment in the double
elimination. After winning his opening heat in the losers round against
Canadian sailor Oliver Matte, Skyboy lost his second heat to highly
talented tour newcomer, Konan Lang (Naish boards, Naish sails) of Brazil.
Meanwhile his British traveling buddy, Chris Audsley (Mistral) had an
excellent day by making it through to 9th after defeating Chris Dammers
(Starboard, Gaastra) and Konan Lang before eventually going out to Diony
Guadagnino (JP, Neil Pryde) of Venezuela.

John Skye (F2, Arrows)
I am pretty disappointed! I didn t have a chance to practice too much
before I came here. I stayed in Fuerteventura to train and there wasn t
much wind. I also had a bit of pressure on me before the event. When I did
well in the Canaries I had nothing to lose. Over here I was ranked number
two in the world and that has been playing on my mind!

Martin Van Geenhoven (AHD, North) is currently the highest placed Canadian

after placing 9th yesterday. Van Geenhoven took victories over Dutch
sailor Eric Troosthiede (North, Mistral) and Richie Foster (Naish,
Fanatic) before suffering defeat at the hands of Josh Stone in the fourth
round.

Martin Van Geenhoven (AHD, North)
I had a great day yesterday and made it through a couple of tough heats. I
eventually
lost to Josh Stone but I think the score sheets were pretty close.
Tomorrow I think we will be at Corfu, which is my favorite beach in the
Magdalen s. If it is windy I am hoping for some big jumps and maybe some
doubles!

Many sailors enjoyed a taste of island hospitality last night at the body
painting session in local bar Barachois. Brian Talma (F2, Arrows), who is
well known for his artistic talents, was given the opportunity to show his
skills with the paintbrush. A local female volunteer took the risk of
letting the Irie Man loose with the watercolors and ended up with a PWA
logo on her back and Caribbean style artwork over the front of her
anatomy! Talma had joined local artists up on stage and was jeered on by
the likes of Josh Stone, Vidar Jensen (North) and Diony Guadagnino.

With two days of competition remaining here in the charming Magdalen
Islands there is still all to play for and ample time for more rounds of
action. Locals are calling for 35 knots and if that is the case, the
contest could go out with a bang over the last two days!

RESULTS AFTER FIRST DOUBLE ELIMINATION

1. Ricardo Campello (JP, Neil Pryde).
2. Matt Pritchard (AHD, Gaastra)
3. Nik Baker (North, Mistral)
4. Robby Swift (JP, Neil Pryde)
5. Josh Stone (JP, Neil Pryde)
5. Kauli Seadi (Naish Boards, Naish sails)