Gabriele Steindl: Professional Kitesurfer & Freelance Writer - Action, Lifestyle & Travels

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Stimorol Engadinwind Lake Silvaplana, Switzerland, 7-9 August 2004

This was my first time in the beautiful region of Engadin, situated on 1800 metres altitude high up in the amazing Swiss Alps, the 7 1/2 hours drive from Vienna, passed super fast – … well, what else would one expect, driving a luxury vehicle like my KIA Carnival Van! – and were definitely worth it as the scenery at the Lake Silvaplana is absoluetly unique and breathtaking.

For the past two years, the Engadinwind couldn’t take place due to a lack of wind; this year, however, the forecast was good and the locals extremely positive ..

Yeah, and they were right – ‘always trust the locals!!’ – on Saturday, 07.08., first day of the event, shortly after noon the Malojawind set in and the first rounds of the mens were run. Later in the afternoon the wind turned quite gusty and due to the fact, that the race committee decided on a ‘Dingle Elimination’ for the men – a format that’s quite time consuming – the race was stopped shortly before seven o’clock in the evening, just before the women’s heats would have begun.

Sunday, 08.08., was a rainy, no-wind day but then on Monday, reserve-day, the wind came back and races could be held. My toughest competitor was Kristin Boese (GER), who just won the latest world cup competition in Fuerteventura. I was sailing strong in the first heat, in the second, however, the wind suddenly dropped and totally underpowert on my 14sqm, just managed to stay in the area and came second in the main event.

A judged 30 minute expression-session followed in which I got another chance to impress the judges with my riding. Totally lit on my 16sqm I flew high and came ex equo with Kristin first!

In the men’s division won Marc Ramseier (SUI) over Olivier Caillet (SUI) and Mikael BlomVall (SWE).