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Chrono - The Essex Cup

16/07/2014

So after a successful first round at Pembrey sands in Wales it was time for take two of the Rawkite British Power kite Tour.

This time it was at my home spot Essex Kite Park, world famous for its hospitality, Ramps and kite boarding.

After a much preparation from the team, and myself the kite park was ready for the weekend. The ramps were given a make-over, the grass was freshly cut and the generator ready to pump good vibes around the kite park.

It was the third year the British tour has come to us here at Essex and I was excited as ever, it gives me as a rider an opportunity to ride somewhere I love, my roots are at this place, this is where I develop my riding so that I’m ready to push my self in competition. With this home field advantage I was really hoping to make a dent in this years rankings! After coming away from the first round with a joint first place with fellow riders Abe, Will and Kris it was any bodys guess as to who could take the championship this year.

So with no wind Friday or Saturday it was down to Sunday for all the action, because the winds were ranging from light to moderate I decided my best option was for the 18m Chrono. This is a kite that has really allowed me to progress my old school riding to a level I thought never possible. On LEIs single rotations with the odd 5 to blind was pretty much it, but with the Chronoany thing is possible!

I have never flown a kite that’s so floaty, with out a doubt this is one of the best high-performance foils ever produced and I’m so lucky that I have had the opportunity to fly it. If you want float, stability and speed… well, its Chrono time!

If you want to see what this kite is like in action, check out a video of it in action with me and my Essex comrades, shot by Ben Hole - https://vimeo.com/99449549

Anyway, competition time had come and my first round was up, I was up against pro newcomer Will Rose. Will has been showing some really smooth style and he would prove difficult to beat. The heat got off to a tough start with me crashing out on a back 7 transition early on; at that point all the frustration came out, the stress of competition can weigh heavy on even the best pros out there, it was one of those moments. But I quickly got back into it and landed some good board off variations and sweet rotations, my Trampa HolyPro moving perfectly through the air and absorbing all my landings allowing me to ride smoothly through out. I eventually took the heat with a close decision from the judges.

So that left me in a great position catapulting me into the final against team mate Floyd also riding the 15m Chrono. So it was an all Trampa and Ozone final, the stage was set, the wind was on and the tunes were pumping!

I got off to a great start, the wind was a little bumpy mid way in the competition zone but on the edge it was great so I made sure I did my tricks high and wide.

I peered over my shoulder and kept seeing Floyd doing these crazy rotations, grabs, board offs you name it, he can do it while spinning.

In the end, Ithink I had a great heat; I landed all but one trick making this one of the most consistent heats I have ever ridden and I got to spend it with one of my best friends, there’s not a lot of perfect sessions out there but this is one of them!

So it was over, all the comps were run and I would say it was pretty successful.

Alls I can say is a massive thank you to the Kite Park team as well as Red Bull and Raw Kite the event made a hefty contribution to keeping the kite park open.

The results were in and I am please to announce that I came in on top, in the end beating Floyd with my consistency but what a round it was!

I can’t forget to mention though that Floyd also competed along side the pros in the Senior category and took the win home! Massive probs to him for doing both, he put in twice the effort and deserved the win! A double win for the Chrono!

Massive thanks to the sponsors of course Ozone Kites and Trampa Boards for the support.

The next round is at Westward Ho where the first RawKite British Champion will be crowned watch this space!

Results:

1st Ash Garwood – Ozone / Trampa
2nd James Tideswell – Trampa
3rd Abe Alzouman – MBS / Flysurfer

Peace!

Words by Ash Garwood.