An interview Ross and I did at the BKSA finals with David Powell from the North Devon Journal!!!
BKSA Tour
The Crathornes in KITEWORLD mag
In the December issue, thanks for the words Mark Ward.
One little mistake: I came first in the pros not the ams!!
We are the champions!!!!!
I headed down early to BKSA finals in Devon to test the conditions, I was met by brilliant winds and sizeable surf on Wednesday. But by Thursday the wind had dropped meaning super light conditions for the comp (and crazy sore arms from the day before!!). We ended up running two rounds and six heats. The last couple of heats were slightly exhausting as they all seemed so close together, but it was a beautiful beach and there was no rain!!!! Holly Kennedy beat me the first round with some impressive riding but I came first in the next round (meaning joint first place for this event). Danielle Durrant wowed me with some super powered tricks and placed third.
The results weren’t released until Saturday night, party night. So we had a tense windless wait. Instead of kiting we went for a surf (or rather a kneel on the board) and did some investigating of Barnstaple and numerous nearby supermarkets.
The joint first for this event cemented my lead in the rankings and made me the extremely pleased British Pro Freestyle Champion for the season!!!
Jemima and Dad (Ralph) came second and third in their separate fleets; Amateur Ladies and Seniors. Success all round!!
Thanks to Cabrinha UK for the GREAT kit, as well at the BKSA race crew (my competition family) and my real family.
Photos Credits: Mummy Crathorne and Jemima
Click here for some great shots of the pro comp by Mark Glendinning
A successful round four of the British Championships – Redcar
On the way home in the van – full of my fam, Sukie and Sam – from a great round four of the BKSA.
Redcar delivered wind on Friday (unlike previous years) so we had enough time to run two rounds to make up for rounds lost to windless weekends in Clacton and Hunstanton.
On the journey up on thurs we had the added excitement of the van breaking down on the hard shoulder. Two tow trucks later – the first was too small – we were driven to ‘safety’. And after the third AA man, we were able to drive the last ninety miles in third gear (arriving s l i g h t y later than expected).
In the first round I had two pretty good heats; which gave me a first place. In the second round it didn’t go as well. And I lost my first heat meaning I had to win an extra one to get into the final. I ended up coming second and so first overall for the weekend!!?!
With no wind on Saturday or Sunday Jimmy and Dad couldn’t compete, instead Saturday night was BBQ night and beforehand we had a salad and skewer production line going in the van. Also, the excitement of new kites being delivered kept us busy. So excited for some wind to try out the new Cabrinha Chaos!!! On the way back we nipped by the village of Crathorne.
Arrr so psyched for the final round in Westward Ho (exclamation mark) in two weeks time. Waves baby.
Printed – the Crathornes and their good friend Rodg
We’re in the paper for our triple podium finish in Troon.
In case of confusion: the gazette have replaced Ralph’s name with ‘Roger’!!!
In case of confusion: the gazette have replaced Ralph’s name with ‘Roger’!!!
Three podium finishes for the Crathornes!!!!
3.30am this monday morning saw our arrival home from a very successful round three at the BKSA Freestyle Championships in Troon, Scotland.
The Crathornes took three podium finishes (a BKSA freestyle record) Dad came third in the Seniors, Jemima came joint first in the Ladies amateurs and I came first in the Pro Ladies. Success all round!!?!
The weekend started off slowly with no heats run on Friday or Saturday due to the lack of wind. The Scottish windfest event was happening at the same time, so the time was filled with an interesting talk from Mark Shinn on board design, the ACDC tribute band member stripping, Pebbles (the local club with a dungeon-themed interior) and managing the bidding war on items I was selling on eBay.
Sunday morning came and as promised, so did the wind (for a little- bit). During the few hours of wind, several heats were run but not all of the categories were completed. Jemima got in to the final, but the wind died before it was run; meaning an equal first for her, Chloe and Rossana. Dad and I both had the ‘Round Robin’ format; and it ended up being down to one heat in both categories.
It was great to catch up with the other Pro ladies, Holly Kennedy and Danielle Durrant. Not to mention Sukie and all the other visitors in the van!!
Xsport Interview with Nikki Rudd
Here’s the link to an interview I did with Nikki Rudd this time last year….
http://xsportmap.com/blog/2011/06/pollycrathorne/
Polly Saskia Crathorne 