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Finlands Rami Kajala claimed victory at the 2nd ProBASE season event ahead of Switzerland´s Melanie Goldoni and Carlos Briceño of  Venezuela.

 

The ProBASE Beach Challenge 2011, sponsored by Apex BASE, The Community of Symi, Anes Boat Lines, Adrenalinsports.gr, BASE Jump Greece, Pressurized, Intrudair, Zoom Optica, Hellenic Duty Free Shops, Shark Energy Drinks and Tag Heuer precision timing, took place at Saint George´s bay on the island of Symi in Greece. The event was part of the ProBASE World Cup Tour 2011 which will conclude next month with the Wingsuit Race in Switzerland.

The event, put together on the initiative of greek BASE Jumper Stratos Giamokouglou, who also opened the jump about 2 years ago, had started on the 5th of August with exhibition and practice jumps, as the competition was scheduled from the 11th to the 14th of August. The community of Symi, headed by the mayor and local businessman Mixalis, had done a fantastic job leveling the landing area and preparing the beach for a major event. The infrastructure had been improved significantly form last year, boats were organized to transport spectators back and forth from the town, a variety of local specialties and cold drinks were available at all times and a DJ entertained the crowd. Saint George´s bay was ready  to host the biggest extremsports party the island had ever seen!!
Unfortunatley the strong winds did not allow for any jumping during the first official contest days, but in foresight competition rounds were concluded already previously to avoid a total blowout. Rami, the selfproclaimed "most accurate landing Finn" showed from the getgo that he was to be counted with in this competition and  put down his Troll close to the center of the target several times. Also the brazilians, all ahead Ruy Fernandes and Marcelo "KIKO" Wendt showed that they knew how to land a canopy on target, and Venezuelas Carlos Briceño was also close.

After 3 days of windhold, Sunday finally brought calm conditions and it would also bring a decision in the comp. Over 1000 spectators lined the beach in anxious anticipation and dozens of boats, including a few million dollar yachts, had anchored in the bay fighting for the closest slots. 
The energy was electric during the comp rounds, with Rami Kajala getting ahead of the game by landing a perfect 0 in the 2nd round of the day. Behind him the battle was on and the surprise of the day was swiss newcomer Melanie Goldoni, who in her first ever competition kept improving quietly throughout the rounds and finally brought home 2 near perfect jumps to claim second place, beating Carlos Briceño by the slimmest of margins. Behind those three the brazilian team with Ruy, Kiko and Keds placed 4th 5th and 6th and the top 8 were completed by norwegian Kimi Moeller and italian Giovanni Silvestri.
The jumpers were greated with massif cheers and surrounded by dozens of fans amongst them many children eager to get hi-fived by their heros after landing. Only after specifically clearing the landing zone after each jumper, the comp could continue. 
At the award ceremony the mayor of Symi held a speech and handed each participant a medal as well as a certificate. Rami as the winner furthermore claimed the 300$ winners cheque, a pair of hi end shades sponsored by Zoom Optica and gifts from Apex BASE. Second placed Mel claimed a 200$ check, a pair of shades by Zoom Optica and Carlos won a pair of Track Pants by Intrudair and zoom Optica shades as the third prize. All further competitors also received sponsored gifts from Apex BASE and now the party could get started. A local dance group performed a show and as evening decended onto the beach, a famous greek band came on for 2 hours to give the jumpers and the crowd a huge final party.