JAMIE’S APPROACH
Using a combined quiver approach, Jamie opened up each heat with a barrage of massive mega loop board off combinations with his Ozone Edge 7m (on 24m lines) and Code V3 132cm board to explosive effect.
The Surfr device that each rider wore to show their jump stats on the livestream saw Jamie consistently triggering heights of over 15 metres with megaloop combinations and regularly covering distances well in excess of 150 metres as he carefully coordinated multiple spins with his body at the same time.
In the second half of his heats, Jamie would then switch to a smaller 5m Ozone Enduro V4 (on 25m lines) – the all-rounder in Ozone’s kite line up – capable of faster and tighter turns, allowing him to tackle the critically important double mega loops.
It’s crazy how in the space of 12 months it has become impossible to win a heat in big air kiteboarding competition without landing a double mega loop. Having these two kites in his arsenal, Jamie is showing how the ultimate in powered height and hangtime is possible with the Edge, and the super dynamic handling of the Enduro can be combined for dramatic effect.
Although he lost out in the semi-final to the eventual event winner, Whaley, Jamie’s own performance was one of the most consistent throughout the entire competition; never dropping a heat score below 20 points from a three trick total.
Unlucky to narrowly finish second in his first heat to Jeremy Burlando by just 0.17 points, Jamie didn’t panic and confidently maintained his levels to despatch Nicolas Gambier in round two, Stino Mujl in round three and Giel Vlugt in round four, before meeting Whaley in the semis.
