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Al Bentley claims the 2012 New Zealand Freestyle Nationals
Monday, 10 December 2012 15:50

New Zealand Freestyle Nationals: strong winds and great sights

Al Bentley has claimed the 2012 New Zealand Freestyle Nationals, after defeating Tom Taylor in an epic final with 40 knots of wind, in Wellington.


Sun and wind greeted windsurfers, as they battled their way through a single into double elimination round, at the Ngatitoa Domain.

William Novak and Nick Thyne brought their best to try topple favoured Jo Tildesley. The Youth final was between Novak and Tildesley. A series of floaty chop hops, duck gybes and good vulcan attempts saw Tildeslay take the youth title.

Seven minutes, 40 knots and two top sailors: Taylor and Bentley. The final was on. Taylor had been previously beaten by Bentley, in the end of the first single elimination and had to beat Bentley twice to take the win.

The British windsurfer came out storming with a super floaty shaka. This was not to put Taylor off, hitting a sweet shovit and flaka to respond.

They dwelled in hard and fast conditions with spocks, spock 540s, flakas and switch vulcans. In the end it was Bentley’s shaka that made the difference and the title was decided.

2012 New Zealand Freestyle Nationals Results:

1. Al Bentley (Overall Winner)
2. Tom Taylor (Best NZ Windsurfer)
3. Rob Harrision
4. Tim Haxell
5. James Court
6. Eric Torvelainen
7. Jo Tildesley (Best Youth Windsurfer)
8. William Novak
9. Nick Thyne


 

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