With no wind at the first AWT event in Santa Cruz the team headed north to the frigid waters of Pistol River, Oregon. Notable absentee from the windless event Ingrid Larouche (Fanatic / North / Black Project) spent much of he winter and spring injured with a broken foot. Returning to action just a couple of days before competition started in Oregon but that did not stop her!

Pic: AWT / Si Crowther 

“What a great event! Pistol (and Cape Sebastien) really delivered this year! I am so happy to have been able to be part of it and compete! And even though this is my 5th AWT title at Pistol River, winning this year was way above my expectations with the high level of sailing from the ladies and having been only recently back on the water after my injury. Couldn’t be more stoked! Huge thanks to Sam Bittner for yet another amazing contest, Ted at Inn at the Beachcomber for accommodations and prize money, Si Crowther for his great work behind the camera, Head Judge Chris Freeman and all the volunteers that made this event possible in he challenging wind and surf! For this event I used my new [FLX] quad set up with 13.5cm MiniEPIC [FLX] rears and 7cm Thruster [FLX] fronts which I have been loving ” Ingrid Larouche  

In the Pro Division Black Project Fins riders sailed amazingly well but narrowly missed out on the final;

Nathan Mershon – 5th=

Morgan Noireuax – 7th=

Casey Hauser – 13th=

Russ Faurot – 13th=

(Chris Freeman,  AWT Head Judge was sidelined due to injury and did not compete) 

In the Amateur Division up and coming team rider Ruben Lemmens who was seeded #2 for this event sailed some very smart heats and progressed to the final but was kept off the podium and will look to Peru to claim his first piece of 2014 silverware.

The Tour now has a 6 week break before the start of the Pacasmayo Classic 3rd – 10th August.

More to follow…