2024 FPT Naxos - Day 3

Kiri Thode was one of the first to impress today - 2024 FPT Naxos © PROtography Official

Maaike Huvermann (Severne/Maui Ultra Fins) and Lennart Neubauer (Starboard/Severne/Maui Ultra Fins) become the 2024 European Freestyle Windsurfing Champions after winning the 2024 FPT Naxos. Yentel Caers (JP/NeilPryde) and Lisa Kloster (MB-Boards/Sailloft) finish the event with the vice European Championship, while Steven Van Broeckhoven (Starboard/Gunsails) and Elena Dominick (Severne) complete their respective podiums.

The wind machine kept blowing in Naxos, and after the exciting result of the men's single elimination, the double elimination began in full force today. Riders had the opportunity to battle their way back up the rankings in this comeback round, and with the stakes being high the crowds were treated to some epic freestyle.

Kiri Thode (FutureFly/Gunsails) made his mark early, boosting his final ranking by taking out both Rafael de Windt and Julien Join. Kiri brought back some of the oldschool freestyle, busting out some Toads in his heat to everyone's delight. Meanwhile, Foivos Tsoupras, back from sickness, managed to win a heat. The german rider sought out the limits of the competition area, even landing a Ponch "ankle dry" on the beach. His comeback was cut short by Niclas Nebelung though, who was eager to redeem himself after his early exit in the single elimination.

Niclas Nebelung rotating blisteringly fast - 2024 FPT Naxos - photo © PROtography Official

Nebelung wasn't the only one determined to make a comeback. Dieter van der Eyken (Severne) also had something to make up for today. His heat against Meiky Wieczorek (Starboard/Severne) was one of the day's highlights. Dieter led the heat until the final moments when Wieczorek pulled off an insane Double Air Culo, scoring an 8.6 in the last 20 seconds to take the win, adding yet another major upset to the event after the took out Niclas Nebelung the day before.

Jamie Howard in action - 2024 FPT Naxos - photo © PROtography Official

As the competition heated up, Jamie Howard (Severne) knocked out Kiri Thode and then went head-to-head with Wieczorek. An incredibly close heat ensued, which saw a tie on points. A re-sail was issued, and this time Howard came out on top.

Jacopo Testa was unstoppable today, winning multiple heats in a row - 2024 FPT Naxos - photo © PROtography Official

On the other side of the ladder, Nebelung faced an unstoppable Jacopo Testa (WeOne), who was on a tear all day, winning six heats in a row in the double elimination. After defeating both Nebelung and Howard, Testa found himself in a rematch against Takumi Moriya (Severne), the young rider who had knocked him out of the single elimination. This time, Testa claimed the victory, but his day wasn't over yet.

Yentel Caers is a competitive machine - 2024 FPT Naxos - photo © PROtography Official

Testa was then up against Yentel Caers, who once again relied on his incredible Double Air Culos to win the heat by a single point and move on to face Steven Van Broeckhoven. Although Van Broeckhoven gave the move a go himself, he couldn't match Caers. Van Broeckhoven had to make do with third place, although the 5 times European Champion was more than satisfied with his result at this event.

Can anyone still stop this man? - 2024 FPT Naxos - photo © PROtography Official

As the beach filled with excited supporters, the grand final between Lennart Neubauer and Yentel Caers got under way. Neubauer, riding the momentum of his home crowd and local knowledge, was in top form. Despite Caers' best efforts, it was Neubauer who came out on top, officially becoming the 2024 European Freestyle Champion.

Caers and Neubauer after their final - 2024 FPT Naxos - photo © PROtography Official

Women's Double Elimination

The women's double elimination kicked off after finishing the single on day one and it was finally time for the ladies to get another shot in the comeback round. A clear standout was Melina Vingaard-Schütt (Starboard/Severne). She stormed through the competition, winning three heats in a row against Ziva Batis (Gunsails), Bijou Shahmirian (Starboard/Severne) and Linda Mankova (Starboard/Severne).

Melina Vingaard-Schutt was on a roll today in the double elimination - 2024 FPT Naxos - photo © PROtography Official

She was then up against Elena Dominick. In a super close heat, Dominick managed to hold on to her podium position with a buzzer beater Shaka. In the battle for second Lisa Kloster did not give in and managed to fend of Dominick for another chance at challenging the reigning European Champion.

Elena Dominick with a buzzer beater Shaka - 2024 FPT Naxos - photo © PROtography Official

The final was incredibly tight. Lisa Kloster showed her training is paying off, being incredibly consistent with her moves. Despite a near perfect Funnel and a nice Kono, she could not stop Huvermann who exhibited perfect Shaka's, on both tacks! Adding a Culo and a Kono to the mix, Huvermann claims her sixth European Championship.

That's it for the official competition here in Naxos! However, with more wind on the horizon, the action isn't over yet. Stay tuned for more updates and the official Double Elimination Highlights! Check out the official results from the competition below.

2024 FPT Naxos Women's Freestyle Results:

2024 FPT Naxos Men's Freestyle Results

www.freestyleprotour.com