2012 Triple-S Wrap up // Strapless Kitesurfing

Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, USA — June 9, 2012 Bringing the seventh annual Triple-S Invitational to a close, Friday night’s award ceremony concluded the prestigious week-long Surf, Slick and Slider competition.

Staged at the REAL Watersports compound, the massive waterfront backyard provided the perfect venue to watch a spectacular sunset and kick off the celebration. With the industry’s leading fleet of sliders anchored in the basin, amazing music, great vibes and the smell of grilled pig filled the air.

Attracting high-profile riders from all over the world, the invite-only kiteboarding event showcased and advanced the world’s most progressive wake- and surf-influenced kiting. With a $10,000 purse at stake, competitors rode hard throughout the week, slaying the surf and throwing down the most technical and jaw-dropping moves imaginable. The setup? An epic flatwater utopia, REAL’s industry-leading obstacle park, and Cape Hatteras’ head-high surf.

Unlike any other kiteboarding event on the planet, Triple-S’ unique format encourages competitors to take risks, trying new tricks and riding styles, and not worrying about playing it safe like at a conventional contest. With the introduction of a cash purse, a panel of judges and dual hour-long heats this year, the atmosphere and spirit on the water remained the same: in a high-energy frenzy, riders fed off each other, pushing themselves and the sport to incredible new heights.

Photo by Byan Elkus

Once the riders, media and panel of judges cast their votes in the late afternoon, the festivities commenced with an awards dinner and autograph session. Hundreds of people came out to meet the pros, see who won in each of the three disciplines, and enjoy the blow-out party, which featured music from Dub Island and The Dubplates.

Amidst a sea of spectators, the 33 Triple-S competitors took to the stage and the energy level went through the roof. As Trip Forman, Triple-S and REAL Watersports co-founder, kicked off the awards ceremony by announcing the first result, excitement and anticipation cut through the air.

On the men’s front, Brandon Scheid took four podiums, including 1st in Sliders and 2nd in Slicks. Eric Rienstra topped the podium four times as well, including Best Session and 3rd in Sliders. Billy Parker graced the podium three times, including 2nd in Sliders. And with his powerful, technical, go-bigger-than-anyone flatwater riding, Alex Pastor won the Slicks category. On the Surf side, Mark Miedama won for the second year straight.

On the women’s front, wild card winner Colleen Carroll bagged a whopping five podiums, including 1st in Sliders and 2nd in Slicks and Surf. And multiple-time World Champion Gisela Pulido scored a trio of podiums with 1st in Surf and Slicks.

For the full list of results, see below.

As things wound down at REAL, the crowd moved to the after-party, where the band played until 5 a.m.

Follow the Triple-S Invitational on Facebook at www.facebook.com/realwatersports or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/realwatersports. For more information, visit realwatersports.com.

The 2012 Triple-S Invitational is supported by REAL Watersports, John Wayne Cancer Foundation, Outer Beaches Realty, Stance magazine, SBC Kiteboard magazine, Liquid Force, Slingshot, Best Kiteboarding, BWS, Naish, Dakine, Arnette, Skullcandy, Rebootizer, Soloshot, Watermen’s Retreat, and MOJO’s Sunset Café.

And a special thanks to the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau for sponsoring the 2012 Triple-S Session Reports.

Mark Miedama © William Parmeter

Teddy Lyons

Andrea Pico Estrada

Gisela Pulido by Andrea Pico Estrada

RESULTS: 2012 Triple-S Invitational

Men’s Sliders 1. Brandon Scheid 2. Billy Parker 3. Eric Rienstra

Men’s Slicks 1. Alex Pastor 2. Brandon Scheid 3. Sam Light

Men’s Surf 1. Mark Miedama 2. Teddy Lyons 3. Sam Bell

Men’s Combined 1. Brandon Scheid 2. Billy Parker 3. Eric Rienstra

Men’s Winch 1. Brandon Scheid 2. Billy Parker 3. Eric Rienstra

Women’s Sliders 1. Colleen Carroll 2. Sensi Graves 3. Claire Lutz

Women’s Slicks 1. Gisela Pulido 2. Colleen Carroll 3. Susi Mai

Women’s Surf 1. Gisela Pulido 2. Colleen Carroll 3. Sensi Graves

Women’s Combinbed 1. Gisela Pulido 2. Colleen Carroll 3. Sensi Graves

Women’s Winch 1. Claire Lutz 2. Lulu Vroman 3. Colleen Carroll

BEST SESSION Eric Rienstra

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR Craig Cunningham

SLICKSTYLE ATTITUDE Joby Cook & Davey Blair

Original article original Brian Wheeler : http://www.realwatersports.com/news/2012-triple-s-session-report-7/