PRESS RELEASE:
Potential competitors for the world’s toughest windsurfing contest announced – meet the riders waiting to take on the storm!
Joining the previous finalists from last Red Bull Storm Chase, ten new names are on the shortlist for a last-minute call to chase down a winter storm Force 10 or higher. What does it take to plunge head-first into the roughest, toughest windsurfing contest around? Skill, bravery, years of practice, the right gear – and the following ten sailors have all that. When the contest window opens January 9st, 2017, they could find themselves on a last-minute flight to a date with one of the winter’s most serious storms. Once the contest is greenlighted, the judges will select four more finalists from the ten nominees listed below who will square off against the four set riders in a storm sailing contest. Our expert panel will choose the final attendees last minute, depending on availability and skillset. The nominees listed below are in no particularorder of preference or ranking.
Nominees
Jaeger Stone, Australia
Ricardo Campello, Venezuela
Adam Lewis, United Kingdom
Antoine Martin, France
Robby Swift, United Kingdom
Philip Köster, Germany
Kai Lenny, USA
Camille Juban, France
Victor Fernández López, Spain
Jules Denel, France
Competition Slot Guaranteed
Thomas Traversa, France
Dany Bruch, Spain
Leon Jamaer, Germany
Marcilion Browne, Brazil
Upon confirmation of the green light 72 hours before the contest start, riders will have 48 hours to be onsite at the event location. Inability to arrive (with gear) means a rider will forfeit their place to another rider on the nominee list.
Key Facts:
• The world’s toughest windsurfing contest, requiring a Force 10 storm in a suitable location to occur
• Contest window begins January 9th, 2017 and runs to March 12th, 2017
• Riders judged on jumps and wave riding – execution of tricks
• Four riders are qualified from last event; four rider will be chosen from the shortlist of ten nominees
• Fans (and riders) can propose locations
• Event is confirmed only 72 hours before the start of competition
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Location and safety
As stated, the mobile and reactive nature of the contest means the location is yet unknown. However, priority will be given to locations that offer: a likely combination of Force 10 wind and waves; close proximity to an international airport, adequate medical coverage and emergency services, and an absolute guarantee of adequate water access. During the given weather window these conditions are most likely to form in the Northern Hemisphere. Full safety crews consisting of watersports andmedical professionals will be onsite to assist in the event of an emergency. Event
Coverage and timing
A ‘watch’ alert will go out approximately 120 hours before the event, and confirmation will come just 72 hours before the event, at which point, riders and event crews will travel to the selected location. Pre-, during, and post-event, updateswill be available online at Facebook.com/redbullstormchase
<ENDS>