Crathern jumps to two podium finishes

More than 60 competitors registered for the event, where Crathern was placed first in the big air competition and second in the freestyle open.

He finished ahead of Canadian Stefan Koenig and Billie Kipling in the big air event and said: “Big air is my favourite discipline, so I expected to do well in that. It has now got really exciting as we all have devices on our boards that register our exact height. My winning jump was 10 metres.”

In the freestyle discipline, Crathern was second behind American Brandon Sheid and ahead of Canadian Craig Cunningham. He said: “I really didn’t expect a podium position in the freestyle but it all came together in the final. I think it was the best eight minute freestyle heat I have ever ridden.

“The competition here goes down as one of the best results in my career as some of the competitors I go up against are half my age.”

Squamish is located one hour north of Vancouver and is widely regarded as the kitesurfing capital of Canada. With vast mountains surrounding the town, a thermal wind creates suitable conditions which attract kitesurfers and windsurfers worldwide. Whistler, which hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics, is half-an-hour away and provides more sports for outdoor enthusiasts.

Crathern now focuses on the Virgin Kitesurfing Armada, which will take place on the first windy weekend of September 18-20, October 2-4 or October 16-18 in Hayling Island.

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