European Freestyle Pro Tour
March, 2008
Toro Andaluz, Tarifa-Spain

Once again, the EFPT tour kicked off down in the south of Europe.  The last two years the Toro Andaluz event in Tarifa became the season opening event for the ultra-competitive Euro-freestyle tour.  With 35 riders on the entry list,  this event has certainly grown over the past two years.

Competitors in the event riding Loftsails:
Rossi (Michael Rossmeier, www.tricktionary.net, Loftsails International), Zan Andraz (Loftsails Slovinia), Rafael Cervero (Loftsails Espa?a), Ruben Petrisie (Loftsails International), Roeland DeRyker (Loftsails Belgium).
Jelle Caers (Loftsails Belgium) also registered, unfortunately Jelle injured his ankle while practicing the day before the event.

Day 1:
Skipper meeting was held at 10:00am and first posible start was set for midday.
Because of the big entry list,  6 new riders had to go thru a qualification round before they could be squeezed into the 32-man single elimination ladder.
Sailing conditions: winds between 14-18knots Poniente (wind from the right) water temp 15C?, choppy, air temp 17-20 C?.
A little after noon the green flag went up!
The early heat of note was Rossi who threw out a new-commer from Brasil.

Second rounds:
Zan faced the Norminator and was eliminated.
Rossi faced another Brazilian- who turned into another tricktionary victim.

Third rounds:
The big surprise of the day- or lets say of the whole event- occurred...
2007 European freestyle Title holder Andre Paskowski was beaten by Mr Rossi!
Rossi used his Loft 360Free 5.2.
Rossi quotes:
In the 3rd round where I was set up against Andre Paskowski from Germany, the current European Freestyle Champion. I managed to give my best, afterwards it seemed that it was a close decision as we both did crash several times. Actually I came to the beach with the thought that Andre won, but looking at the score board, it said that I advanced into the final!
Rossi then met with the Dutch high-energy kid Kevin who threw him into the loser finals.
There he met with Antxon Otaegui from Lanzarote, a strong sailor, to fight for the 3rd and 4th place. Rossi looses and arrived in 4th place after the first single elimination.
That was that for the day still 3 hours to sunset, and riders fully planing until late afternoon…
still the double elimination was set for the next day.

Day 2 double elimination:
Many riders where stoked to go for the double elimination-  everybody had a second chance to climb up the ladder, loose or confirm his place from the single elimination.
Conditions changed to Levante (wind from the left) 18-25knots, flat-choppy water with gusty winds outside, water temp 20C?, air temp 23C?.
First Loft rider on the water was Roeland who took the victory over Seyss from Austria.
Next up and super motivated was Ruben who smoked Pollet from Brasil.
Next heat we had Jelle- who lost against Spadea from Italy, Jelle´s bad ankle detracting from his performance.

Second round of the double elimination:
In the first heat we found Mr Roeland against  his big friend from Belgium Mr Van broekhoven who gently knocked him out.
Second  heat we had Jakub from Poland Vs Ruben.  Both stylers almost  managed to pull out the exact same moves, but in the end it all came down to the judges... Jakub wins.
Heats went on untill it was Rossis turn to defend his position against a strong new comer Mr Van Broekhoven.
Rossi quotes:
It was a tough heat and I crashed too many times in my switch moves, so I lost this heat and was kicked to 5th place. In the double elimination every rider has to confirm his position from the single by winning one heat- and advances one place by winning two or more heats. If you loose your first heat in the double you loose one place.
With 5th place I am very happy... its a good starting position for further 08 EFPT-events, especially for the next big Event in Podersdorf Austria.
One hour after the final heat, the event comittee decided to run straight into another single round.
Many riders managed to fight thru some heats, but it the end it did not matter as the wind dropped.... and for the final day the forecast did not look promising.

Final day:
Some how the last day turned into a ´SUPER SESSION´.
With 2 eliminations done, a single at half way, and another double ready on the score board- the event came to its end.
Lots of riders where on the water busting moves and jumping of the small waves that where breaking on the sand bank infront of restaurant El Cozo.  The winner of this session would get his picture on the front cover of Spainish Magazine Surf A Vela.
After a few hours of heavy action the awards ceremony was held on the beach at the event site Toro de la Pena.
The final result of the EFPT Toro Andaluz - Tarifa 2008

1. Normen Günzlein (G-186)
2. Kevin Mevissen (H-79)
3. Antxon Otaegui (E-169)
4. Steven Van Broekhoven (B-72)
5. Michael Rossmeier (AUT-256)

Tarifa, 9 April Ruben Petrisie

Photos by Noella Caers: