For the first time the title as European Champion in Freestyle Windsurfing goes to Spain. Antxon Otaegui led the Euopean Freestyle Pro Tour EFPT through the whole season. In the end the 24 years old talent from Lanzarote could retain his lead and become new European Freestyle Windsurfing Champion. In the season 2007 Antxon took the third place.
The 23 years old German Normen Günzlein finished his EFPT season as Vice-European Champion for the second time in a row. “The progress Normen did in the last year on tour is amazing and everyone expects very good results every time he hits the beach”, said Mike Piechura, CEO/Tourmanager of the EFPT.
Third place goes to Nicolas Akgazcyan from France. Also 23 years old he brings great honors to the “Grande Nation”. Andre Paskowski, European Champion in 2007, was fifth.
In fourth position we have to mention Steven van Broeckhoven. Belgian newcomer and definitively the “rookie of the year”!!! Coming out of nowhere he ends in a top position and everyone expects this guy to go anywhere but up.
Unfortunately the 2008 winners could not be honored in a proper price giving ceremony. Due to the latest political crisis in Georgia the Black Sea Cup had to be cancelled. One of the conflict areas was very near to the competition place so it would have been quite inappropriate to hold a windsurf event. So the EFPT 2008 had to be finished without an official end.
European Freestyle Champions 2008:
1. Antxon Otaegui (ESP)
2. Normen Günzlein (GER)
3. Nicolas Akgazcyan (FRA)
4. Steven van Broekhoven (BEL)
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