Ben Proffitt Wins The 2011 Tiree Wave Classic

BACK TO BACK PROFFITT WINS TIREE WAVE CLASSICOn a thrilling final day of action, defending champion Ben Proffitt battled back to win the 2011 Tiree Wave Classic. It capped a memorable week of windsurfing for the 25^th anniversary of the prestigious event, which is held on the Hebridean isle of Tiree in Scotland.Proffit, 33, had to beat three-time winner John Skye twice to secure the title.“It feels good, it feels really good,” said Ben, who’s from Shropshire.  “I was a bit gutted when I lost the lead on Monday but to come back in the triple - and to win it –  feels better than if I’d have been leading all the way,” he said.“To win back to back is special. I didn’t really think about until I was talking to a couple of people from the camera crew, and I wasn’t really expecting it because it was a really strong field this year, but I’m really happy about it,” said Ben.It leaves Proffit on top of the standings for the BWA (British Wavesailing Association) Wave Tour title, with one contest – in Cornwall – to come.“Obviously Tiree is the one event you really want to win,” said Ben,“But the best to win is the overall title. Now I’d be quite happy if we had no wind in Cornwall! Or if there’s wind and I win there too, that’d be even better!”17-year-old from Canvey Island, Aleksy Gayda won the Amateur contest, Mark Lloyd won the Masters while Debbie Kennedy won the Ladies.Tiree is well known across the world among windsurfers for its windy conditions and beautiful sandy beaches.Full results:Professionals:1^st Ben Proffitt2^nd John Skye3^rd Phil Horrocks Amateurs:1^st Aleksy Gayda2^nd Lewis Merrony3^rd Scotty McDowell Masters (Amateurs aged 40+):1st Mark Lloyd2^nd Davey Edmiston3^rd Keith Shorrocks Ladies:1^st Debbie Kennedy2^nd Sophia Joy Gilje3^rd Kariina Perhonen Youth:1^st Tom Bennett-Lloyd2^nd Torin Prescott3^rd David Taylor