Ambitious Murray is flippin' great
FAREHAM windsurfer Chris Murray is ready to launch a new assault on the waves after a flipping marvellous training trip.
The 21-year-old believes he has perfected one of the most difficult stunts – the back flip – after some intensive work on the gravity-defying trick out in South Africa.
And having racked up the titles in his junior career, Murray is now determined to make his mark on the senior ranks when the Four Nations Cup kicks off in Ireland in May.
Murray said: 'I've just come back from two months' winter training in Cape Town to get ready for the new season.
'I did some gym work to get a bit fitter, but it was mainly working on my technique and learning a few new tricks.
'I think I've got the back flip nailed down now.
'I could go for them before, but I couldn't land them consistently, but now it's pretty rare that I don't get it right.
'Hopefully, I will be able to do it consistently in competition when there is a bit of pressure.'
The former Henry Cort School student has enjoyed some fine results in junior windsurfing after taking up the sport at the age of 12.
But with the Four Nations event also set for a stage in Wales, before autumn competitions in Scotland and England, Murray is keen to follow in the wake of fellow successful windsurfers from the region Chris Audsley, Jamie Hancock and Paul Hunt.
However, he admits the weather conditions make training difficult.
He said: 'At the top end of the sport, you need strong winds and you only tend to get them in the spring and autumn in this country.
'Ideally, you need it pretty close to gale force – I like the wind speeds of about 30-40mph – and it's a case of the bigger the better as far as the waves are concerned.'
But more pressing for Murray is the quest to find sponsors to finance his blossoming career after undertaking short-term work to supplement his expenses.
He said: 'I haven't got enough sponsors at the moment to be able to compete in every event I want to. I'm doing a few odd jobs to get some money together.
'I've got a job cleaning yachts at the moment for Sunsail in Port Solent.
'But I know times are tough for a lot of businesses at the moment. Hopefully, I will be able to find some sponsors.
'I would probably need about 10,000 to be able to compete in all the events.
'But I'd be delighted if anyone can spare anything to help.'
If you are interested in sponsorship, please contact Chris on 01329 311127.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 5 mph
Wind direction: North east
