The WFDF 2017 Freestyle Event starts tomorrow (July 28 @14:00 (UTC +0)). You can watch it live here. Jason Salkey took the time to share more information about the event.
Jake: Tell me a little bit about Basingstoke and what inspired you to hold the competition there?
Jason: The inspiration all came from Robb Hamilton, intrepid member of the Basingstoke Golf Club. UK Jammers have, of course taken charge of the Freestyle element. Possibly Robb was inspired by the fact that Liz Hurley is a native Basingstokie. I’ve also heard the local music festival called Basingstoke Live used to be called Jammin’ in the Park. A bit of subliminal inspiration perhaps!
Jake: Being an FPA Major Class event, the standard FPA competition format will be used. Which divisions will be a part of the event?
Jason: This year at WFDF 2017 there will be two division Women’s pairs and Men’s pairs.
Jake: What is the venue for the event?
Jason: The Basingstoke Rugby Club has kindly let us stage this year’s WFDF. The competition will take place on the grass in the centre of the practice track. Which is superbly flat and open, it was previously thought we could do the rounds on the rugby field, but the grass is little rutted and divot strewn.
Jake: How many Freestyle teams do you expect? Are there any top teams we should be watching out for?
Jason: We are hoping see the largest gathering of top freestylers since Jam Britannia II. As is the custom, freestylers are fairly relaxed about getting registered, but I can throw out a few names to savour:
Tom Leitner, Bianca Strunz, Dan O’Neil, Larry Imperiale, Ilka Simon, Paul Kenny, Sophie Rickers, Juliana Korver, Ryan Young, Charlene Powell just to name a few. That should make for strong competition and sweet, sweet Jams.
Jake: Anything else you’d like to add? Anyone you’d like to thank?
Jason: Thank you to all freestylers from around the world who are coming or thinking of coming to Basingstoke. These shores haven’t hosted a WFDF since Colchester 1989 where Adrian Wainwright and Konn Cummings came away with the freestyle title. So we really want to host a successful event and confirm the UK as a top freestyle destination. Big thanks to Robb Hamilton for successfully bidding for WFDF 2017 and the Rugby Club for hosting us. See you on the field and remember to pencil Jam Britannia III in to your jam diaries (11/12 Nov).