The Freestyle Pro Tour Cape Town stop delivered an unforgettable showcase of high-level freestyle windsurfing. Over two action-packed days, riders battled through extreme winds and challenging conditions, pushing their skills to the limit on the smallest gear. The unique event format featured a single elimination on flat water and a double elimination in the waves. This one-of-a-kind format offers flatwater freestylers the chance to get challenged by wave riders. Our Starboard rider and reigning Freestyle World Champion Lennart Neubauer collected another win after a dramatic final in the double elimination.
Lennart Neubauer Claims Victory at FPT Cape Town
Lennart made a strong statement in the single elimination, where he took down last year’s event winner, Jacopo Testa. Moving into the double elimination, the intensity only escalated as the two met once again in a heated final showdown. In a dramatic moment, Lennart broke his mast on landing of a massive backloop, forcing him to leave the sail and wave-surf back to shore on his board. His support team had another sail ready, and he was back on the gear in under one minute. Despite this challenge, he remained focused and delivered a winning performance, securing his place as the FPT Cape Town Champion. Lennart is hungry to defend his World and European Title this year and he is on the right track.
Lennart was using the Starboard iGNiTE 93L in both spots of the event.
Lennart about the unique concept of the event and his final dramatic heat:
“I really like the concept of combining freestyle and wave disciplines in one contest. Mainly because it brought together both the regular freestylers and some very skilled wave sailors. This made things incredibly interesting, especially during the double elimination in the ocean. Out there, it was all about jumping and getting height off the kickers, which gave the wave sailors a clear advantage.I felt more comfortable in the waves since I have moves like shifties and back loops, which really helped me progress through my heats and score well.
On my third trick in the final, I broke my mast while landing a back loop—it just snapped like a toothpick. Even in the air, I had this thought: What if my mast broke?—and then it did. I quickly disconnected my gear, grabbed my board, and left my sail. Luckily, a wave came right away and carried me all the way to the beach. Thanks to the quick help from my friends, I was back out and landing my next move just 45 seconds later. It was a bit stressful, but I think I handled it pretty well. I stayed calm. The wind was around 40 knots, and when my 4.0 sail broke, I had to switch to my 4.4, which made it super windy. But I still managed to land my moves—I think I got a spock into double culo, a push loop, a double burner, and an air funnel into the burner, all on the big sail. I was really happy with how everything worked out. It felt like a challenge, but that just made it even more fun.”
Photo Credit: Freestyle Pro Tour / PROtography
