2016 European Youth Freestyle Championships starts with a bang

by Kite Classes on 15 May 2016 2016 European Youth Freestyle Championships - With the Skippers meeting at 9am this morning we opened the first Youth European Championships in Noordwijk. In total we have 58 riders from nine different countries battling for the title of the European Champions 2016.

After some difficulties with the anchors on the buoys we were able to start the competition at around 10:30 with the first U16 heat of the day. Spanish Rider Javier Jimenez competed against the French Edgar Ulrich and secured his first win of the day. The second race of the day was led by Martijn Smeets (NED) followed by Tom Wiersma (NED) and British Rider Toby Cooke.

With increasing wind, strong current and waves we were able to finish the first round of the U16 boys without any problems. Polish Rider Mateusz Wlodarczyk showed his best tricks and won against the Italians Matteo Dorotini and Nicoló Korff. Next one who advanced straight into the third round was Nino Liboni (FRA) wining against Dutch competitor Evan Klijn. Maxime Chabloz from Switzerland won his heat against Best Teamrider Laurens Meyer-Kittel (GER). Théo Fermon, brother of World Cup Rider Antoine Fermon, proved that he is as good as his brother and ready to do his best to become the next European Champion.

With a tough race against Jonas Ouahmid (Airush) from Germany he made his way straight into the third round, whereby Jonas got another chance to stick his tricks later during the day. The following race was a Dutch battle between Kimo Verkerk (first position), Lucas Keuning (second position) and Tjibbe Jorritsma (third position), followed by an outstanding performance between North Kiteboarding Team Rider Tom Bridge (UK) and Cohan van Dijk (NED). Tom Bridge advanced straight into the next round and competed later during the afternoon against Jonas Ouahmid (GER) who unfortunately couldn't use his second chance to climb up the Elimination Ladder.

The first round of the U16 was done and it was time that the U18 guys showed their best tricks to the International Judges and the big crowd at the beach. The first round included seven races which gave an idea what we could expect for the rest of the day. We saw a tough French battle between Romain Giuliano and Lazare Gournay who advanced straight into the third round.

German Rider Julian Hein took the right decision this weekend competing at the Youth European Championships instead of attending the first round of the German Nationals. He won his first race against Dutch Freestyler Max Berg-Andersen and met Lazare Gournay next to Matthias Lancsár in the third round.

In race number three Maxence Dubois (BEL) lost closely against Pepijn Herrewijnen (NED). Killian Martineau (FRA) won against Matthias Lancsár (ITA) and met Maxence Dubois in the second round where he won again and made it into the third round against Gournay and Hein.

Dutch Rider Stig Hoefnagel dominated the race against Stijn Mul (NED) and made it after several rounds into the Loosers Final against French Rider Gournay. Rover Dullaart (NED – first) and Guus ten Dolle (NED - second) were riding against each other in heat number six before Italian Davide Fontanesi won against Dutch Rider Youri van Rooij.

Back at the U16 Elimination we saw close and exciting races from Tom Bridge, Mateusz Wlodarczyk, Javier Jimenez, Maxence Chabloz and Nino Liboni, which is the reason they all made it through the first rounds into the Quarter Finals. After a very long, cold and windy competition day Javier Jimenez fought against Maxence Chabloz for the third place of the event. Tom Bridge needed to beat Nino Liboni in the final to become the new U16 European Champion in Freestyle. The results are still with the Judges and Contest Director and will be announced on Monday afternoon at the Prize Giving Ceremony. The riding level of the young competitors is very high and we are looking forward to the future competitions to see more Freestyle Tricks like Front Blind Mobe and 313's.

At the U18 Elimination Lazare Gournay met Stig Hoefnagel at the Loosers Final. French Rider Louka Pitot (Core) made his way into the finals after winning races against Davide Fontanesi, Stijn Mul, Rover Dullart, Stig Hoefnagel and Joris Herrewijnen. At the finals he met Cabrinha Teamrider Romain Giuliano, also here we will keep the results secret and announce the happy winners on Monday afternoon.

The forecast for tomorrow looks very promising so that we will start with the Skippers meeting at 09:30 and hope for a first possible start of the girls division at 10:00. Also U14 competitors like Hugo Zirkzee and Ties Verlinden need to show their best tricks to the beach audience and Judges tomorrow morning.

Next to the action on the water, the Kiteboard Open offers Kitesurfing clinics, festivals and a great skateboarding ramp down at the beach.

A very big 'thank you' needs to go to the Team around the Kiteboard Open! So far this event is a big success and we are looking forward continuing with the Elimination of the girls and the U14 boys tomorrow morning.

Tonight we welcome all competitors, their families and guests for the Live Acts at the big tent down at the beach.