PHIL HORROCKS (JP) wins single elimination but all to play for in the double!
It was dark when the Pros met for Skippers Meeting this morning! But once daylight emerged, Gwithian was looking very tasty; cross offshore, mast high in the sets. It took a while to drag flags, judges and kit upwind where the wave had a better shape, but then the 18 Pros started off just after nine in the morning with 18 minute heats, two waves to count.
A welcome return to the Tour for Jan Sleigh who is now living in Newquay, but he was up against the Giant Slayer of the day, Dave Horrocks (younger bro of Phil). Dave was on fire in the port tack/Cape Town ish conditions. He then went into a heat with Timo Mullen (Starboard), Sam Neal (JP/NeilPryde) and Ben Proffiit (Simmer) and came second, knocking out the current BWA tour leader. But his fine run was stopped in the next round by Andy Chambers (JP/NeilPryde).
The usual suspects got through to the last eight; Andy King (Goya), James Cox (Ezzy) Jamie Hancock, Chris Murray (Starboard/Tushingham). This was Jamie’s first BWA event of the year and he was looking good the day before but landed an aerial late into the pocket in his heat and damaged his calf muscle and had to pull out the competition. So into the last eight and Andy King and Phil Horrocks got past James Cox and Chris Murray (who was really going for it and getting some of the biggest aerials) and Timo Mullen won over Andy Chambers and Dave Horrocks.
It was decided to hold a four man final so after one heat break the four were sent out. Phil was ripping, his bottom turn and top turns were linking nicely, choosing the right wave and had a cracking aerial to confirm his first place. Timo did clock the biggest aerial of the competition but didn’t gather enough points to make it into second. That place went to local boy Andy King who got plenty of very controlled aerials and towards the end of the heat trying backloops of the lip! Chris Murray came fourth, really consistent and more ballsy than normal, his fourth finish is much deserved and of course he could do better as the double has already started.
South-westerly winds are forecast for Saturday and of course the amateurs, masters and ladies register tonight at the SandSifters in Gwithian.
Thanks goes to the event sponsors after a cracking day one; Pura Vida, RB Sails, No Limitz, SandSifter and K38 Safety.
BWA Team
