Kiri Thode, dropping jaws mid-move. So what else is new? Currently the young star from Bonaire is doing his thing at the PWA Freestyle event in Fuertaventura (check out more amazing photos from the event on the PWA website.) I once had the priviledge of some on-the-water interaction with him, as a very young Kiri asked me to get out of his way during the warm-up session for the 2001 King of the Cape Pro-Am (Kiri competed brilliantly in the junior division. My star did not shine as brightly in the novice class.) These days I watch him sail in Bonaire whenever I'm there.
Here's Tyson Poor putting on a show for the crowd at Fuertaventura. In 2005 when my wife Sally and I went to Bonaire with windsurfing friends Massimo and Karin for an ABK windsurfing clinic we were lucky enough to have Tyson as one of our instructors. Tyson did help me with my push tack, though I can not say my improvements since have been as spectacular as his (that would be my fault...Tyson is a fine instructor...work with him if you get the chance.)
One of the special things about windsurfing in Bonaire is that the superstars manage to practice very close to the beach, and yet do not disturb the beginners and intermediates sailing just a few yards away. On our most recent trip in 2006, I decided to follow Tonky Frans outbound as he sailed across Lac Bay towards the mangrove forests. He didn't do anything as spectacular as his move above; instead he quite maddeningly just shot across the bay on a full plane, while lazily spinning the sail in endless 360's. Clew first, mast first, clew first, mast first, with the board maintaining perfect trim and him losing not a drop of speed. I shouted in confusion, outrage, and joy.
(Photos: John Carter/PWA)
That sounds IMPOSSIBLE!
But fabulous.
Maybe he knew the right person to pay off to be granted an exemption from those boring old rules of physics?
Posted by: bonnie | July 30, 2007 at 07:18 PM
Bonnie, if you believe in the laws of physics (as I do) these people can piss you off. Except that they sail so full of joy that you shout, laugh and cry at the same time.
I love the Einstein quote on physics: "I want to know God's thoughts...the rest are details." I often think that these extaordinarlyi talented sailors have a complimentary thought, something like "I don't care what the experts say can and can not be done. I want to try to do what's never been done before. Give me a few weeks and come back and see how I'm doing."
Posted by: Michael | July 30, 2007 at 09:50 PM