Windsurfers' Hebridean paradise

Tiree's strong winds and waves create perfect windsurfing conditions

Some of the world's best windsurfers have arrived on the Hebridean island of Tiree for a week of adrenalin-filled competition.

The Tiree Wave Classic has become an annual fixture for sailors more used to the tropical climes of Hawaii.

The island's surf-swept beaches, combined with autumn storms sweeping the Atlantic, produce perfect conditions for the competition.

Organisers say the weather for the event is set to be perfect.

The competition has become one of the busiest times of the year for the island.

Known as the "land below the waves", Tiree's lack of hills allows the wind to blow uninterrupted while its beautiful sandy beaches are directly exposed to the Atlantic waves.

Extreme sailors

The perfect conditions seduce the most extreme sailors from the international windsurfing community.

The 60 competitors compete in freestyle, wave sailing and supercross disciplines for the highly-coveted prize of the Triple Crown 2006.

The wave sailing event provides a spectacular display for the spectators as sailors aim to perform the highest controlled jumps in the waves.

Event organiser Andy Groom said he expects the week to be one of the best in the competition's 21 year history.

"The conditions are absolutely perfect," he said.

"The competition is the very top level of performance and at the moment it is blowing very strong and the sailors are already out practising."