In an exciting finale to the double elimination it was to be Steven Van Broeckhoven who stole the limelight ahead of an on form Adrien Bosson.

After a year of highs and lows Van Broeckhoven returned from injury to come 5th in Holland and now 1st here in France. Winning the single elimination Van Broeckhoven only needed to defend his place from whoever would return back through the double, at first it was looking hopeful for Julien Mas as he dispatched of one competitor after another to find himself facing Amado Vrieswijk. Unfortunately for Mas, it was Vrieswijk who stopped his charge and put an end to the Frenchman’s run.

As the final heats played out it was looking incredibly close between Bosson and Vrieswijk, with the heat going in favour of Bosson. This paved the way for the same final we had seen in the single elimination the day before.

Action packed and full of the highest level moves for these conditions it didn’t disappoint. Even for the crowds watching on the shoreline, some 500m upwind, you could still make out the impressive display of moves. Not least the highlight of the entire competition as Van Broeckhoven launched a gravity defying air kabikuchi of the smallest of chop and on some pretty big equipment. Following this up some 50m later, he powered through a faultless spock into culo. Nevertheless it wasn’t an easy ride for Van Broekchoven as Bosson also had a few highlight moves of his own, including a perfect regular chachoo to open the heat, culos on both tacks and much more.

After the short boat ride back upwind to the awaiting crowds, Steven was crowned champion of the EFPT Six-Fours Les Plages event here in France and also took the title of vice European Champion in spite of his injury this season.

Yes I am super happy to be on this podium and to win here in France. To be honest after my injury this season I didn’t even expect to make the overall podium but to be vice European Champion is great, Adrien and Amado were sailing really well and it wasn’t easy but yes I was quite happy after this kabikuchi and had a lot of motivation to win the heat. I hope to return next year but we will see, I learnt from this year that you never can know what will happen. – Steven Van Broeckhoven.