The 2017 Tiree Wave Classic boasted one of the largest entries in recent years and a host of international sailors. Most importantly it was windy, very windy! We hear from some of those involved in all the action on and off the water and why this year’s event was one to remember.
RICHARD WHITSON - PHOTOGRAPHER
Right from the first warm-up session at Balevullin, two days before the event, it was obvious that the young-gun pros Marc Paré Rico and Julian Salmonn were going to be strong contenders for the title. Both showed a great eye for the waves, confidence and the flexibility of youth to pull off some cracking moves in logo to mast-high surf with goiters, wave-360’s and airs in abundance. Adam Lewis, fresh from his success at Sylt also looked confident and on form as did Phil Horrocks who was pulling off some massive back loops and forwards. Ben Proffitt was nursing his broken foot and, so he told me, was trying to take it easy, but when you see how contorted his legs and feet are when doing a wave 360 I wondered what he would look like if he was firing on all cylinders! Julien Taboulet was pulling out some super contorted table-top forwards and I had to look twice at a few photos to work out which way his legs were facing!
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