Day 2, Proffitt Takes Up Where He Left Off At Tiree

Proffitt Takes Up Where He Left Off At TireeThe reigning Tiree Wave Classic champion Ben Proffitt has begun this year’s event in the best possible way, by leading after the first round of action.In tricky conditions, the 33-year-old from Shropshire impressed the judges with his consistent wave riding on the Inner Hebridean isle.Cornish sailor Andy King – taking part in his his first BWA (British Wavesailing Association) Wave Tour event of the year - lies in second place, with Plymouth’s Andy Chambers in third.The day was slow to get underway with light winds at Balephuil beach, but the gusts arrived in time and several hours of competition was able to be had.Dozens of amateurs took to the water and 17 year old from Canvey Island, Aleksy Gayda ended the day in charge.The teenager looks to have a bright future after winning the previous two BWA Wave Tour Amateur events.Second and third among the amateurs are west Wales pair Alfie Hart and Lewis Merroney respectively.Leading the women’s contest is Debbie Kennedy from Hayle in Cornwall, with St Andrews University student, Sophia Gilje, from Norway, in joint second with Finland’s Kariina Perhonen.Head Judge Duncan Coombs said, “We’ve made the most of average conditions so far, and really we’re hoping for better as the week goes on to give the sailors more opportunities to show what they can do.”