The competitors were greeted with a relaxing first day on tour, giving them the opportunity to prepare their gear and acclimatise to the Austrian lakeside lifestyle. A total of 46 sailors registered their intention to compete, including the current world champion, Jose 'Gollito' Estredo (Fanatic, North), Kiri Thode (Starboard, Gaastra), and Tonky Frans (F2, Gaastra), amongst many new comers including British born rider Max Rowe (Mistral, Simmer), and the young Belgian Dieter Van der Eyken (Starboard, Severne).

During the opening ceremony the organisers unveiled another exciting activity. The competitors have been given the opportunity to win themselves a further ?1,000 by launching themselves off an indoor style jump ramp. Qualification for the finals of this mini competition will take place tomorrow, and on Sunday those that make it through the initial heats will battle it out with the best. If the wind fails to show up on cue, the competitors will be towed towards the ramp at full tilt, which will ensure a crowd pleasing spectacle occurs!

Whilst the sailors were on standby we took the opportunity to chat to the current world champ, Estredo, to find out what he's been up to, and see if he's nervous about all the newcomers that have turned up here in Podersdorf.

PWA: How have you been preparing for the 2010 freestyle tour?

JE: "I've been at home in Venezuela for quite a while, but I've also been to a spot in Columbia which is really good for freestyle with Diony Guadagnino (Hot Sails Maui, MFC)."

PWA: What were you working on?

JE: "Instead of learning anything new, I've been concentrating on improving my style, and also the consistency of the moves that I can already land."

PWA: Having trained without the other key players on the tour, and not learnt anything new, aren't you a bit scared that there might be a few people who have overtaken you?

JE: "There's definitely a chance that there could be people that not only surprise me, but also the judges, and everyone else. We'll just have to wait and see when the competition starts."

PWA: What's the most difficult move to land in freestyle at the moment?

JE: "It's got to be the Escudo which is Davy Scheffer's (Tabou, Gaastra) move. It's a bit like a kono into a flaka, which makes it really difficult to land. It's a crazy move."

PWA: Can we expect to see Scheffers and yourself landing such moves here on the lake?

JE: "If we get some strong winds then we will be able to give it a go, but in lighter winds it is virtually impossible. I think it will be a move that you'll see later in the year at venues like Fuerteventura."

PWA: How does it feel when you land such a complex and difficult move?