Picture: Christian Black
On the 4th September 2002 Chris was involved in a fun event with a difference. Brunotti Sportswear, one of Chris's sponsors, also sponsor The British American Racing team in the Formula 1 car racing tour. The drivers on BAR are Jacques Villeneuve and Olivier Panis. Kitesurfing has gained recognition in the driver's circles and so the suggestion arose that the two be mixed for a fun day trying to jump over the car itself! Plans were made to float the car on the water and, being a part British team, the location for the jump chosen was West Wittering on the South Coast of the UK. Chris was the obvious choice for the stunt, being a "Brit", sponsored by Brunotti and also having a reputation for reliably boosting over solid objects for fun.
The event's success was of course entirely dependent on wind... the waiting period was to be two days on the 3/4th September as the car could only be held for two days... along with it's body guard who seemed to regard the car as his baby. The tension was high for 36 hours as everybody kept busy with preparations... and stressed over weather forecasts! Would it blow?
But the stress was for nothing because, as with many Brunotti adventures, the wind came through in the last hour, perfectly timed with sun and a low tide, providing super flat water. Everything was perfect as the invited media bank of TV cameras and cameramen went into overdrive... the wind kicked in. Jinne Sietsma, the man behind Brunotti boards and Charlie Merle also of Brunotti joined in in the jumping frenzy..
Picture: Christian Black
Chris:"It was a blast! I must have jumped the car about 30 times! I touched it once or twice with a hand but that wasn't an accident. Jinne hit it I think! Man we were lucky with the wind!"
