Large trucks strung across the canal banks promoting sponsors, beer tents, RVs and millions of pounds worth of powerboats set the stage. The music was pumped into the air with engine exhaust, anxiety and adrenaline to once again create that unique Diamond Race atmosphere.
Former world champion and 1980s legend Danny Bertels was there promoting his balloon flights and faces new and old from all over Europe converged here to prepare for Europe’s biggest event in 1998.
With four races at stake, Sunday 31 May was about to be busy, providing ten thousand spectators with first class value for money. Around six thousand paid their £5 each, while a further four thousand were injured with free admission.
There was a degree of disappointment when Steve Robertson did not arrive after the earlier announcement that he would be taking the 12,000-mile trip for the race, but his compatriot Jason Martin was there to fly the Australian flag.
All eyes were on Kirkland and Cramphorn, but Italy’s Carlo Cassa and Devid Conti were also confident. Then, of course, the Belgian contingent of Micha Robijn, Filip Vervecken and Peter Bertels were good bets due to their recent level of skiing and special experience on the canal water.
Kirkland’s No Mercy Hallett had started the weekend playing and the mechanical disgrace that dogged this team in 1997 was once again trying to rear its head. But all was going well for the start of the race.
The races started with an open category where Dan Cramphorn took the field by storm and dominated the race until he entered (no, he didn’t crash -ok Dan-). It was Chris Cole who was there to pick up the pieces and record his second straight victory in the open race here in Belgium.
The cocky Belgian piece of dynamite named Rick de Brabander took over F3 while the British team Pog with skier Glenn Manchett suffered a mechanical misfortune. Ashley Copper, Steve Bird and other Brits did a great job finishing this grueling event.
But the big surprise of the day was in the Junior race when Belgium’s Christoff Van Gaeveren put on a ski exhibition that reminded me of Wayne Mawer’s debut performance here in 1996. This tiny piece of dynamite put on a gutsy performance in his home water and the The young man is ready to go far. But a crash put him second behind teammate Magdeleyn, while Britain’s Kim Lumley was third after recently recovering from a subsequent crash from last year’s Worlds.
It was time for the main race. At 4 pm the teams lined up on grids. At the five-minute flag, tension built up in the channel and on the banks. The first flag dropped giving 19 drivers thirty seconds to pull out the short 190-foot ski lines, and then they were gone.
Screaming down the first flat straight, the teams pushed their skiers to the limit on such short lines. Two big disappointments were that Micha Robijn’s boat failed to start and Filip Vervecken missed the start. But the rest was gone.
Carlo Cassa was the first round behind a new twin of Bernico Foxy with Devid Conti 100 yards behind with Martin McLaughlin’s Cyclone. Kirkland was trailing 100 yards further back, but it’s usually not a quick start.
As the race progressed it was clear that Carlo Cassa was back on form. It also became clear that the young Conti was further up the ladder to the top and is determined to follow in the footsteps of the Great Gregory.
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Briton Jamie Cramphorn was not far behind, with ambitions to follow in the footsteps of another former world champion. Those of Steve Moore MBE-his uncle.
Kirkland’s boat broke after several slips, and although he is recognized as one of the most talented sailors in the world, he has probably also suffered more bad luck than anyone else. It was just his third time on the water since the Worlds in October and his first race of the season. Competitors Cassa and Conti ski every day, backed by significant funding through the Italian Federation. The reality is that Kirkland is constantly at a distinct disadvantage. A tragic situation for this world-class British athlete.
Cassa dominated the event, overcoming the tough conditions, but with Conti always within reach of 30 seconds. And the race ended that way, with Belgian Peter Bertels in third place and Cramphorn in a good fourth place.
As Cassa climbed ashore, she was met by champagne, flowers, and a cheering crowd. Cassa was once again back. Her year in 1997 was plagued with misfortune. First her ski broke in an English race at 80 mph. He injured his knee, ankle and head and went to the World Cup. After a traumatic time of being misdiagnosed by doctors, everything finally worked out. Last year he was about to quit, just like Gregorio after the ’93 World Cup. But with the support of his team, he kept fighting.
His teammate Conti was praised by Cassa, who told me how natural Conti is on a social ski. “With a little time and more strength, David will do just fine,” Cassa said. And when I asked Cassa about the race, she cried. You couldn’t help but be happy for this great Italian character.
Meanwhile, the award ceremony was about to begin. A very emotional event with the delivery of commemorative prizes in memory of people from past years. It was an event in which many felt close.
And then the party. The big top tent was set up for a wild night of tabletop dancing, singing, beer drinking, beer tossing without a dry person in sight (I blame Tom Lumley). Cassa & Co. performed the Full Monty and the night continued. And in. And in.
Monday came and the Diamond Race was over. Viersel had already returned to his quiet way of life in the country. The teams were gone and the atmosphere too.
By Robbie Llewellyn
