July 6, 2012
Robby Naish about the Shortlist
It's the 5th day of the 2-week long public voting period. 50 registrants have been nominated and are currently hoping for a spot amongst the Top 10.
Robby Naish was head of the jury which selected the shortlisted sailors. It wasn't easy for him to choose his favorites... He told us about his overall impression of the registered riders fleet, what he was looking for in the sailor's profiles and gives some great advice for all shortlisted sailors and voters.
How's your overall impression of the registered riders fleet?
I was impressed with the number of guys that signed up, and the variety of locations that they come from.
Of course I expected to see so many of the top World Cup guys on the list, but am happy to see a lot of new names and faces on the list too. I am happy that the final ten will be chosen by the public and not by me, because it will be a difficult choice.
What did you look for in the sailor's profiles?
I was really hoping that it would not simply be the "same old names and faces" that one would see at any wave event on the World Tour, or out at Hookipa during photo shoot season. Of course there are many of these well deserving guys on the list, but included with them are others that maybe few people have heard of that may have more of what it takes to really charge in tough conditions than a guy that is good at sailing Hookipa every day.
There have been a lot of the "worlds best" wave sailors from Hookipa that have been just about unable to get out of the shorebreak at Sylt in the past. So I have tried to read between the lines of the riders list to see where they are from and where they are used to windsurfing... look at their shots to see if their level is up where it needs to be etc, and go from there.
What's your advice for the 50 nominated sailors?
Now that the voting is down to the public to reduce the 50 to 10, I would get in there and make my profile as accurate and compelling as I can. Tell your story. Make the public want to see you out there in the contest. It will be tough to go up against the names that people know from videos and magazines.... but just because you are not a top sponsored guy does not mean you do not have a chance to make the top 10.
For the public that are now doing the voting, I would also look at the guys that are hard core enough, strong enough, and have some experience in radical conditions and strong as shit winds.... not just pick the guys that you know.
I wish everyone good luck for sure! It will be a great opportunity and experience for the chosen few.