LA COUPE DES ISLES PWA FREESTYLE GRAND PRIX, DAY 5

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Friday September 6, 2002
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Nik Baker (Mistral, North) and Matt Pritchard (AHD, Gaastra) have shared
the overall victory here in the Magdalen s after a dramatic closing double
elimination of La coupe des Isles, PWA, 2002 Freestyle Grand Prix. Baker
and Pritchard finished in second and third positions behind Josh Stone
(JP, Neil Pryde) of Hawaii who took his first victory of the season here
today in Canada. The combined results mean that Baker and Pritchard have
finished the event with equal points and both share the spoils. Stone s
victory here today was enough to move him up into the final podium
position following a disastrous day for Ricardo Campello (JP, Neil Pryde)
of Venezuela.

The predicted winds arrived in force overnight here in the Magdalen s and
today s competition, which was held at Corfu, beach saw solid 25-knot
winds and up to logo high waves. Stone was on fire today, obviously
reveling in the more wave orientated freestyle conditions. In the single
elimination he defeated Chris Audsley (Mistral), Eric Troostheide
(Mistral, North) and Diony Guadagnino (JP, Neil Pryde) on route to the
final. Stone pulled out all of his ammunition today and was throwing huge
forwards, push loops, back loops and a variety of on the wave freestyle
maneuvers. His opponent Matt Pritchard was also posting some solid heats
and had won through against Peter Volwater (F2, Arrows), Vidar Jensen
(North) and Nik Baker (Mistral, North). Stone took the single elimination
final after producing a largely aerial routine and was all smiles when the
results were announced.

Ricardo Campello, who won the first round of double elimination here in
Canada was not really tuned into today s hectic conditions and went down
in his opening heat to Konan Lang (Naish boards, Naish sails) of Brazil.
In the double elimination, Campello was obviously out to make amends but
once again failed to deliver the goods, this time against John Skye (F2,
Arrows) of England. His early exit meant the door was now wide open for
Baker and Pritchard to take the overall event victory.

RICARDO CAMPELLO (JP, Neil Pryde)
I am not really happy with my last result here. It was not my day today.
That is life! You lose and win. In Bonaire I am going to do my best!

As the heats boiled down towards the final, Nik Baker and Matt Pritchard
once again came through the losers round to face each other. At stake, was
a place in the ring against Josh Stone and more importantly the overall
event title. The heat went to Nik Baker who pulled a variety of moves
including a Crazy Pete, a table top forward and a spock, straight into a
clew first spock! Pritchard battled bravely but failed to match the Bakers
more varied repertoire.

MATT PRITCHARD (AHD, Gaastra)
I had a great time out there today. They were my type of conditions; I
love this kind of wind, waves and this direction. I could of done better
but you have to go with the punches. I was on my 5m and powered up most of
the time. I had no excuses today and was a bit bummed I did not win the
second double

Nik Baker then went on to win the first of two double elimination finals
against Josh Stone who had been waiting patiently for his chance to secure
his first elimination victory this season. Stone had failed to nail
several key moves and now had to take on Baker for a second time to seal
the deal. Baker was on his own personal agenda of winning the overall
event title and was well fired up for the challenge. In the second final
it was Stone s turn to pump up the volume! He opened up with several huge
jumps whilst Baker struggled to plane and seemed underpowered. Baker came
back with some strong moves towards the end of the heat, whilst Stone
struggled to land his closing transitions. When both sailors came back
into the beach the tension was clearly visible on both sailors faces as
they waited for the decision. Stone was once again elated when the
decision was announced, 3-2 in his favor.

JOSH STONE (JP, Neil Pryde)
Matt Pritchard owes me some money! That feels good that s is all I have to
say about that. This year has been tough for me. I have been fighting hard
and have been worked by the both young guys and the old guys. I felt today
was my kind of conditions, bigger waves, which is my specialty&freestyle

on waves. I went with a bigger sail in the second final and it looked like
Nik, who stayed with his 5.3m was a bit underpowered. The crowds on the
beach made all the difference today. I am stoked!

NIK BAKER (Mistral, North)
I was a bit disappointed I did not win that last final and take the
overall for the event. I feel I could of won but Josh sailed a great heat.
We have had a fantastic competition from flat water freestyle to freestyle
in waves. I have used 6.9m all the way down to 4.5m. If you look at the
results I think you will see that experience has come through with myself
and Matt Pritchard. I have been training hard for this and it seems to
have paid off. I will have to thank Scott from MPG for that!

The event closes tomorrow with an amateur long distance race and of course

the prize giving ceremony. The charming Magdalen Islands have won the
hearts of all the PWA sailors both in terms of its warm hospitality and
its superb conditions. The islands have undisputedly delivered the goods
for the first visit of the PWA world tour with two incredible double
elimination freestyle eliminations.

TODAY S RESULTS
2. Josh Stone (JP, Neil Pryde)
3. Nik Baker (Mistral, North)
4. Matt Pritchard (AHD, Gaastra)

EVENT OVERALL RESULTS
1. Nik Baker (Mistral, North)
2. Matt Pritchard (AHD, Gaastra)
3. Josh Stone (JP, Neil Pryde)

PWA FREESTYLE OVERALL RANKINGS
1. Ricardo Campello (JP, Neil Pryde)
2. Nik Baker (Mistral, North)
3. Matt Pritchard (AHD, Gaastra)