BWA Chairman Nigel Tracey talks us through the event!
PRO FLEET
DAY 1
Salmonn takes the lead
The Pro fleet competition was fiercely contested over 3 days starting with a fierce single elimination. No big surprises in the single with Phil Horrocks, Andy Chambers and Lucas Meldrum joined by German International sailor Julian Salmonn in the final... And it was Salmonn who took the first win with some massive jumps in ballistic conditions.
DAY 2
Cox advances and the Young gun Meldrum takes out Horrocks
The double elimination saw impressive performances by James Cox who advanced through 4 rounds before being halted by Phil Horrocks. However the biggest upset of the day was by Lucas Meldrum, a prodigy of the Mailing Room Future pro project, who managed to pull out a convincing win against the current British Champion, Phil Horrocks. Phil still couldn’t get past Julian Salmon and would have to wait for the possibility of a triple elimination.
DAY 3
Horrocks fights back
With strengthening conditions, Head Judge Adrian Jones announ for battle to continue in the rarely used Triple Elimination. James Cox managed to advance to 4th place pushing Andy chambers back to 5th. In a closely fought semi, Phil Horrocks wrestled his position back from Lucas Meldrum but was no match in the final against Julian Salmonn who had been Mr consistent from day 1.
WOMEN’S FLEET
Then there were 3
This year saw a small attendance of only 3 women at the Tiree Wave Classic. Despite the small numbers the quality of wave riding and jumps was more impressive than ever with judges commenting that some individual performances belonged in the pro comp. Judges put the women through their paces in 12 rounds of varying conditions. Returning the defend the title and claim the Tiree Sword, French International, Marine Hunter, put in solid performances claiming 11 wins out of 12. ‘New girl on the block’ Cori Macfarlane put in some fantastic performances to take 2nd place from the current British Champion, Liath Campbell who finished in 3rd. Marine Hunter has now announced that she intends to enter the Pro Fleet in 2023. This will be the first time a woman has stepped up to the men and we can tell you Marine is coming to win. There will be some upsets in that fleet next year!
FUTURE PROS
Day 1
The kids are coming for ya!
Starting in 2014 with the support of The Mailing Room, the FuturePros project has focused on developing young wave sailors into the UK Wave Tour. Tiree has proven a most effective training ground with top coaching under the guidance of local centre, Wild Diamond. This year’s 24-strong squad enjoyed a full week of top coaching around the island whilst mingling with the pros. Then 7 of the best were invited to compete in 2 challenging days of professionally judged competition. The first day at Crossapol in shoulder high waves saw Kai Beattie, Dylan Galloway, Euan Lindsay and Eddie Maclean make the final with a convincing win from Maclean.
Day 2
Kids at the Maze
Day 2 was an equally brutal competition with head high waves at the infamous ‘Maze’. Beattie, Galloway, Lindsay and Maclean once again met in the final where young Eddie Maclean put in a mind boggling number of wave rides and one-handed jumps to take the Youth Tiree Sword.
AMATEUR FLEET
Summary
Every year this fleet gets more competitive and this year was no exception. Sam Anstey who only started competing in waves last year rose quickly through the ranks to take his first win. Impressive considering, he was on the island to film the event for TV! Old hand Matt Cox took 2nd and he and Sam will now have the opportunity to join the pro fleet in 2023. A standout performance from Nick Welsh who battled through 4 rounds in the double to take 4th overall.
MASTERS FLEET
Summary
This year saw a strong 21-man fleet competing in the over 40’s. Despite the senior years these sailors are no slouches. Friendly ale drinking companions on the beach turn into extremely competitive rivals when the comp starts. This year was no exception with new arrival Joe Mcivor upsetting old hands Henderson and Pettit in his first wave comp.
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