Danish Open Freestyle Day 1 – Full Power in Denmark

Mathias Vingaard claims victory after an intense day of single and double elimination battles. With gusty winds and glassy sections testing everyone’s consistency, the riders delivered one of the most exciting opening days in Danish freestyle competition history.

This event marks the beginning of a new format introduced in the Danish Open Freestyle tour, where freestyle is held separately from waves to ensure optimal conditions. Riders judge riders, qualification rounds ensure fair seeding, and every detail – from format to scoring – is designed to showcase the best freestyle action Denmark has to offer. You can read more about the format here:

Single Elimination

The morning started with a qualifier round where Lukas Tollak and Melina Schütt kicked things off. Lukas impressed early with a clean Funnel, but later discovered he had been sailing three minutes ahead of time – a lesson learned the hard way. Melina, in contrast, kept her rhythm, landing stylish Shove-Its and spocks to advance confidently.

Lukas Tollak – Photo: SurfersLounge

In the quarter-finals, close friends Kasper Gaj and Nicolai Frandsen delivered one of the most exciting heats of the day. Kasper proved to be in full competition mode planning out of perfect flakas on both tacks, while Nicolai matched him with smooth funnels and a massive Flaka scoring 10 out of 10 from both judges. It all came down to the final seconds – Nicolai tried a Double Spock but crashed, while Kasper nailed a super clean Double Spock of his own to secure the win.

Arne Jörn, the only German in the fleet, made his presence known with powerful One handed Burners and stopped Melinas run in the single. Meanwhile Anton Aalborg and Asger Fonnesbech had a close duel. Asger’s symmetric style shone through on both tacks with Spocks and a Switch Kono, but Anton countered with Spocks and a Flaka to clinch the win and advance into the next round with just 0.4 points separating them.

Asger Fonnesbech – Photo: SurfersLounge

The semi-finals saw Kasper Gaj face Arne Jörn. Kasper sailed solidly with Spocks and Flakas, but Arne was unstoppable – delivering Ponch, Shaka, Burner and Culo in a commanding performance. In the other semi, Anton Aalborg met Mathias Vingaard, the top-seeded Danish rider. Anton gave it everything, landing a nice Kono and a Flaka, but Mathias raised the level with power-moves on both tacks – Kono, Culo, Skopu, Shaka – plus his signature Shove-It Spock for the win.

The Losers Final between Kasper and Anton was held in lighter wind. Kasper handled the underpowered conditions better, showing clean Flakas, Grubby and Shove-Its, and even the first Clew-First Spock of the competition, to secure third place.

 

Anton Aalborg – Photo: SurfersLounge

In the Winners Final, Arne Jörn and Mathias Vingaard delivered the showdown everyone had been waiting for – Germany vs Denmark. Despite patchy wind, Mathias kept his composure and displayed remarkable consistency: Skopu, Air Funnel, Burner, Culo, Kono and even the first Burner-Funnel combo of the event. Arne answered with his trademark Burner and Ponch, but Mathias’ flawless execution earned him a decisive win and the single-elimination lead.

Photo: SurfersLounge

Double Elimination

The comeback round began with Lukas Tollak and Melina Schütt meeting again. Lukas went for Bobs and Funnels, but Melina’s consistency and high-flying Shove-Its won her another solid victory.

Next, Melina met Nicolai Frandsen in a close battle packed with Spocks, Funnels, Switch Konos and Flakas, showing that she was fully able to compete in the mens division. Both showed strong sailing, but Nicolai’s Flaka with extra hangtime won the crowd and the heat.

Melina Vingaard Schütt – Photo: SurfersLounge

Nicolai continued his charge against Asger Fonnesbech, who showed clean Spock and Kono on port but struggled on starboard in the fading wind. Nicolai held composure and advanced again.

He then faced Anton Aalborg, landing almost every move in his repertoire while Anton managed a wet Kono but couldn’t find his usual rhythm. Nicolai moved on once more.

In his much-anticipated rematch with Kasper Gaj and the fight for third place, the wind dropped, making it a tactical heat. Kasper fought through multiple Spock attempts and delivered massive Flakas and Shove-Its, but Nicolai sealed the deal with a super clean Funnel.

Kasper Gaj Nielsen – Photo: SurfersLounge

 

The next challenge was Arne Jörn, who was back in full force. Despite Nicolai’s ambitious Double Funnel and Double Spock attempts, Arne’s Burners, Culo and one-handed Funnel gave him the edge.

Nicolai Frandsen – Photo: SurfersLounge

That set up a thrilling Grand Final between Mathias Vingaard and Arne Jörn once again. With both riders fully tuned-in, Arne threw down Shaka, Burner 360, Culo and a huge ponch. Mathias went all in – launching Air Skopu, huge Culos, Shaka, Air Funnel and Burner – and then surprising everyone with a spectacular No-Handed Shove-It Spock. The performance scored allmost 30 points, crowning Vingaard as the clear winner of the double and the event.

Mathias Vingaard – Photo: SurfersLounge

A Day to Remember

From Lukas and Melina’s opening duel to Nicolai’s impressive climb and Arne’s explosive power moves, the first day delivered everything a freestyle fan could hope for. Mathias Vingaard’s dominant performance and record-level heat score set a high bar for the season ahead. With conditions looking promising for Day 2, the riders are already preparing to push the limits even further.

Melina Vingaard Schütt – Photo: SurfersLounge

Day 2 will feature an Open B-rider format where *every move counts*. It’s a fresh take on competition designed to reward consistency and give new riders the chance to shine. The day will also feature a Supersession – with the biggest moves and highest airtime of the event expected. Stay tuned!