One of Aruba’s most promising athletes has done it again. During the Prokids World Championship Freestyle Windsurfing in Sardinia, Italy, held between the 22nd and 27th of June 2009, first place in the category under 12, was once again conquered by Steven Max Lageveen from Aruba.
Sixty plus kids battled against each other on the water during very strong almost overpowering and gusty winds, for the huge honor of becoming the world champion, and Steven Max succeeded with flying colors, literally, because of his very bright colored sail, naturally.
The beach was packed every day with windsurfers and spectators from all over the world who came all the way to Palau, to be part of this event. The organizers Riccardo Genazzani and Jason Hands made sure everyone was well taken care of.
During each day of the 5 day event, several freestyle heats were held in several age categories, ranging from 9 to 19 year olds, in front of the surf school in Porto Pollo under a stark blue cloudless sky. Water temperatures were a lot colder than the competitors from Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao are used to, which made it harder for our athletes to compete and special warm protective gear handed out by the organization was gladly accepted. All week long these young competitors showed off their incredible moves, blowing everyone’s mind with their impossible sail tricks and high jumps.
Our Caribbean boys did extremely well taking home 1st place prizes.
The overall results of the Starboard Prokids World Championship Freestyle Windsurfing are:
In the under-12-years category Steven Max, Aruba, 1st , Konstantin Schmirnov, Russia, 2nd and Alice Capucchi, Italy, 3rd.
In under 15-years: Youp Schmit, Bonaire, 1st, Francesco Cappuzzo, Italy, 2nd and Steven Max, Aruba, 3rd — another impressive achievement for this 11 year old!
Rick Jandrusch, Holland, placed 1st in the under-17-year category, Matteo Romeo, Italy, 2nd and Nick van Ingen, Holland, 3rd
And in the under 20-years division, Dieter van Eyken, Belgium. took 1st place, Mattia Fabrizi, Italy, 2nd, and Vittorio Morzocco, Italy 3rd .
Aruba and Bonaire were represented especially well during this great event for young athletes and many of the other competitors and their friends and family members have said that they can’t wait to come to Aruba. They have been warmly invited to come and visit any time!!