BBC SPORT | OTHER SPORTS | Shinn storms to victory

By BBC surf writer Simon Alexander at Watergate Bay

Briton Mark Shinn is on a high after winning the fourth leg of the World Professional Kite Surfing Tour in Cornwall.

Shinn dominated from the start at Watergate Bay, defeating his three nearest rivals - Frenchmen Julen Sudrat, Sebastien Cattelan and world number one Christophe Tasti.

It was a sweet victory for the former windsurfing ace, who hails from Bournemouth but now lives in Tenerife.

A faultless display in waves caressed by a strengthening breeze moves him up to third place in the world rankings.

Surf's up at Watergate Bay
Not bad for someone who only took up the sport two years ago.

Shinn, eager to take the wind away from Tasti, told BBC Sport Online his focus was now on winning the world title.

"It hasn't been the best of years for me so far on the tour, but I'm really stoked to win on home turf," he said.

"I've beaten everyone here, so I'm feeling very confident now and it's a great boost for kite surfing in Britain.

"My strength is really my technique. I practise that a lot - it's the reason I'm now doing so well.

"Training interests me the most because I like learning new tricks. Every contest I try and do something new to impress the judges.

"The sport is so young, it means I can pull off any manoeuvre I want to in the water. I'm free to express myself, it's a good feeling."

Britain's women are also pulling the strings in a sport that is rapidly growing in stature.

Home-grown talent filled the top three places in the women's event, with Kirsty Jones, from Wales, getting the edge over Cornwall's Drea Wharry and Littlehampton's Deb Carling.

The sport itself is looking very healthy and the depth of talent we have means Britain is well placed for the future

Drea Wharry

British number two and former winner of the television series Gladiators, Wharry says kite surfing is taking off in a big way.

"As far as the contest is concerned, I'm disappointed and should have done better, but Kirsty sailed really well," she said.

"The sport itself is looking very healthy and the depth of talent we have means Britain is well placed for the future."

To prove Wharry's point, the stars of the future look impressive to say the least.

Take 12-year-old Aaron Hadlow, from Penzance, for example.

The Cornish youngster finished second overall in the British finals, won a wildcard into the world tour event and went on to win the British Hang-Time final with a mid-air jump of 3.89 seconds.

As the newest extreme sport glides ever onwards, British kite surfers are perfectly placed to reach the heady heights of recognition all over the world.

The pro tour now moves to New Caledonia before the last event in Rio de Janeiro.

[an error occurred while processing this directive]		Sunday, 23 September, 2001, 20:54 GMT 21:54 UK Shinn storms to victory Surfers hang tough in this new extreme sport By BBC surf writer Simon Alexander at Watergate Bay Briton Mark Shinn is on a high after winning the fourth leg of the World Professional Kite Surfing Tour in Cornwall. Shinn dominated from the start at Watergate Bay, defeating his three nearest rivals - Frenchmen Julen Sudrat, Sebastien Cattelan and world number one Christophe Tasti. It was a sweet victory for the former windsurfing ace, who hails from Bournemouth but now lives in Tenerife. A faultless display in waves caressed by a strengthening breeze moves him up to third place in the world rankings. Surf's up at Watergate Bay Not bad for someone who only took up the sport two years ago. Shinn, eager to take the wind away from Tasti, told BBC Sport Online his focus was now on winning the world title. "It hasn't been the best of years for me so far on the tour, but I'm really stoked to win on home turf," he said. "I've beaten everyone here, so I'm feeling very confident now and it's a great boost for kite surfing in Britain. "My strength is really my technique. I practise that a lot - it's the reason I'm now doing so well. "Training interests me the most because I like learning new tricks. Every contest I try and do something new to impress the judges. "The sport is so young, it means I can pull off any manoeuvre I want to in the water. I'm free to express myself, it's a good feeling." Britain's women are also pulling the strings in a sport that is rapidly growing in stature. Home-grown talent filled the top three places in the women's event, with Kirsty Jones, from Wales, getting the edge over Cornwall's Drea Wharry and Littlehampton's Deb Carling. The sport itself is looking very healthy and the depth of talent we have means Britain is well placed for the future Drea Wharry British number two and former winner of the television series Gladiators, Wharry says kite surfing is taking off in a big way. "As far as the contest is concerned, I'm disappointed and should have done better, but Kirsty sailed really well," she said. "The sport itself is looking very healthy and the depth of talent we have means Britain is well placed for the future." To prove Wharry's point, the stars of the future look impressive to say the least. Take 12-year-old Aaron Hadlow, from Penzance, for example. The Cornish youngster finished second overall in the British finals, won a wildcard into the world tour event and went on to win the British Hang-Time final with a mid-air jump of 3.89 seconds. As the newest extreme sport glides ever onwards, British kite surfers are perfectly placed to reach the heady heights of recognition all over the world. The pro tour now moves to New Caledonia before the last event in Rio de Janeiro.		See also: 15 Sep 01 \| Scotland Hebridean surf festival a winner 13 Sep 01 \| Golf Kite surfing takes off 07 Sep 01 \| Northern Ireland Elkerton retains World Masters Other top Other Sports stories: Jeter hurt as Yankees win New award for Redgrave Racing bulletin: Friday's action Vinokourov ruled out of Tour Ullrich fails drugs test Hamilton plans Armstrong payback Hawk Wing heads Eclipse field Egan keeps licence after hearing Links to more Other Sports stories are at the foot of the page.


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