Nuno Stru has conquered the Portuguese National Kitesurf Finals, in Guincho.
The best riders in Portugal congregated at Guincho beach in world-class surfing conditions. Over three days they took on all conditions competing in conditions up to 40 knots with 2m+ waves.
A huge field of riders was supported by nearly as many sponsors, both from within and outside the industry; showing just what a great event can be put together when everyone cooperates with each other.
Thanks again must go out to the people who helped make this amazing event a reality - Filipe Saint Marta, João Hail, Diogo Fernandes Breads, Sofia, Bruno Melo, David Cóias, and all the sponsors and riders who took part.
Interviewed after the event Nuno was his typical succinct self, obviously pleased with the result and also the conditions. Here is his round-up of the event and the final rankings.
"The 1st day was long, heats were ultra-competitive with riders putting down their best in solid conditions, 18 knots average wind and 1m waves. We managed to work our way through 7 heats on the 1st day- mine was due to be the 8th.
The 2nd day started with great weather and wind again and my heat was first- good job I didn't drink too much the night before. The wind was blowing 35 knots with waves coming in at 1m but carrying a lot of power behind them. I battled the conditions and my competitor with my Bularoo 5m and rode strapless. I won.
Later that day we advanced on through to the 2nd round, the wind had dropped a little but the waves had picked up. You had a little more time to find your wave and pick your line and more space to express yourself. With a 7.m Kahoona in the air and my strapless board under my feet, I progressed through to the next round.
The third day bought world-class conditions to Guincho with 40 knots of wind and 2m faces on the waves all the remaining competitors were pushed to their limits. Guincho isn't a forgiving spot and in these conditions, you cannot afford to make mistakes. Riding strapless and relying on my 5m Bularoo I got pounded on my first wave, fell, and wiped out. I managed to recover and relaunch and with some nice sets still to be caught I managed my way through once more to the semi-finals.
In the semi's I focused on staying on the right side of the board, rode safely but with power, and slipped on through to the finals.
For the finals, the wind had steadied a little, but the waves were still 2m high and pounding. I stepped up a gear for the finals and decided that if I wanted to win I had to ride unhooked as well as strapless. What can I say the plan paid off- I won!"
1º Nuno "Stru" Figueiredo | Stru Surf Shop / Best
2º Gonçalo Gomes | Naish / Vianalocals / ION / Holmes Place / Bomcar
3º Luís Bruno Melo | Takoon / SPO / Gulliver
4º André Nery
5º Paulino Pereira | Royal / Boarder Club Portugal
5º Sérgio Fonte
7º Francisco Lufinha | RRD / Live2Wind.com
7º Pedro Nunes Rosado | Takoon
9º Filipe Costa Clérigo
9º Arnaud Van Dussen | RRD / Kalu Beach Bar
9º João Fernandes | Triologia
9º Tiago Alexandre Rocha
13º Jorge Balau | Royal / Boarder Club Portugal
13º Alexandre Duerholt | X-Cult / RRD
13º Diogo Alberto Fernandes | Underwave
13º Vitor Teodoro Ferreira | No Limits4Fun
17º Duarte Nuno Bandola
17º Luís Filipe Blanco
17º Henrique Jorge Cláudio
17º Ricardo Grijó | F-One / Katavento
17º Felipe Santa Marta
17º Ricardo Braz Nogueira | Cabrinha
17º Rui Tiago Oliveira | Blade Kites
17º João Saraiva | RRD
25º Filipe Nunes Feijão
25º Diogo Gomes Leitão | WindClub
25º Ricardo Maia | Gustykite / Wainmam Hawaii / Pat Love / XCult
25º Vasco Oliveira
25º André Pires | Takoon / Ferox - surfboards
25º Diogo Manuel Queimada | SurfMilfontes
25º João Carlos Silva | Kiteproschool by João Silva / Liquid Force
25º Paulo Silva | Guincho Wind Factory / Mystic
33º Inês Correia
33º Fábio Andrade Dias
33º Tiago Gusmão
33º José Leitman | Cabrinha / NPX / Triologia / KSPC / Kitesurf Way
33º Marco José Moreira | Onda / Advance / Gabrielakiteshop
33º Marlo Simoni