Opening Day of RBSC – Devil Storm hits Tasmania
The open day of Mission #2 of the Red Bull Storm Chase saw a full round of competition completed in challenging side-on, starboard tack conditions at ‘Temm’ in the North West of Tasmania. Strong winds reaching 64 knots and large swell up to 25-foot facesmeant it was game on!
Temma
A series of reefs near Temma Harbour offer good side-shore (wind from right) options in North or North West wind directions. The access is good with plenty of grassy areas for the crew infrastructure and athletes to prepare their equipment. Having a harbour and slipways nearby aid the safety backup crew and provide further launching options for competitors in large surf conditions.
The Heats
Competitors were divided into two man heats, with a twenty minute duration. Head Judge Duncan Coombs made the call for competitors to be towed out of the more sheltered bay behind the main foreshore and beyond the wind line in the middle of the bay.
Instead of a knockout format, the scoring system counted each riders best two jumps and wave rides, the total of which will be used to determine the overall winner following each further round.
The Action
The first heat between Leon Jamaer and Marcilio Browne was cancelled as both riders struggled to get into position for set waves or to line-up jumps. Rainbows followed heavy showers and, as the wind built, peaking at 64 knots it was game-on!
At the end of the day Thomas Travers dominated and took the highest score for wave rides and jumps. Head judge Coombs said, “said “Thomas rode the surf in the most critical situations and looked totally in control – it was like he was playing with the storm while others were struggling in comparison”.
Marcilio Browne also impressed with a very hight tweaked push loop and some solid wave scores. Leon Jamaer went for gnarly wave 360s off vertical sections, showing little fear for the insane conditions.
In another heat Dany Bruch ended up on the rocks after getting caught by a massive set. Luckily the only casualty was his sail