Windsurfing Magazine

kristin
2002-02-19 14:00:00 | 33 views | 0 Comments

Day 1

(Images to come soon)

20-mph gusty conditions and sporadic rain showers greeted competitors arriving to the beach on Saturday morning.

The majority of Pro Formula sailors took 10 meter sails and bigger. The upwind leg saw Kevin Pritchard do a horizon job on the fleet, rounding the windward mark almost 20 seconds ahead. After rounding the mark, however, 35-mph winds swept across the entire course. Kevin kept control, but couldn't sail efficiently enough with his 10.4 to hold off Antoine Albeau.

Antoine won the race, and the conditions made for some wild rides all captured by Dasher on video for our enjoyment at that night's party.

In the women's division, Dorota Staszewka finished the race on a 9.8, impressive to say the least. She went on to say, ''that's the windiest race I have done with my 9.8, I don't know how I was able to finish.''

The wind played havoc for the sport fleet, IMCO sailors, junior divisions and the Mistral Prodigy class. Many didn't finish the race. It simply was that overpowering, especially so on the downwind legs. Most of the committee boats quickly took on  rescue and recovery duties.

Lunchtime saw competitors with wide eyes, some heavily gestured story telling and an overall look of relief to have made it back safely.

Facing these extreme conditions, along with the dangers that come with putting 260+ participants in them, event organizer Tinho Dornellas wisely decided to run the Freestyle event.

With onshore winds measuring 35+ mph, the action was close to shore, the wind was pumping and the show was perhaps the most spectacular ever seen on the mainland.

Tonky and Tati Franz, brothers hailing from the Bonaire, were on fire- pulling spocks, spock 540's, grubbys, willy skipper combinations, sky high loops as well as some moves they made me promise to keep secret.

It should be noted that both brothers were eligible for the junior freestyle division, and were all but assured the grand prize of a new board by winning it. They instead chose to enter the men's division, opting to face the likes of PWA freestyle stars Matt Pritchard and Antoine Albeau.

Facing these superstars, the brothers didn't flinch a bit, pulling off moves with an air of ease unprecedented among their competition. Matt Pritchard held his own against them, even while using a gigantic 5.3-meter sail. Antoine Albeau was also in the hunt, but the Bonaire brothers truly stole the show.

Who won? I'm working on it. I've got an uncomfirmed report that surprisingly claims Antoine won the freestyle. Part of the confusion is that Tinho had planned to run the freestyle again on Sunday to determine a winner, but the wind didn't cooperate. More to come…

While following the men's act may have seemed a tall order, the junior division was more than up to the challenge. Using the new Retro Ripper kid's sail from Sailworks, along with the MicroSlide from Hot Sails, the Bonaire kids attacked the water fearlessly, pulling moves that left spectators slack jawed. Seeing 70 lb. young Bonaire ripper throw a forward loop on a 2.2 sail remains especially fresh in my memory.

Day 2

Bright and early wake up call for Day 2. Races started at 9:00 am.

10+ meter sails were again the call for most pros. Antoine Albeau took first again, though by the time he crossed the finish line it became clear the wind was dropping.

Antoine went over early in the next race, but then went on to win both races that followed. His over early start became his throwaway race, putting him tied with Kevin Pritchard in overall points, but giving him the victory because he finished first more than Kevin.

For the women, Formula 2001 champion Dorota Staszewka had her work cut out for her with the likes of England's Lucy Horwood, Domincan Republic's Gina Rodriguez and Brazilian Valeria Matuck around. There's a bit of contravercy surrounding who finished third that you can read about at www.formulawindsurfing.org. Dorota came back for the win in dramatic fashion in the final race of the event.

The Formula's lightweight division was dominated by Argentinian Gonzalo Costahoevel. Not only did he win the lightweights division, but he ended up in fourth place behind Micah Buzianis in the men's overall.

Hood River legend and Sailworks' designer Bruce Peterson won the masters division with Alex Aguera and Nevin Sayre close behind.

Full results are at www.formulawindsurfing.org. You can also see video footage of the event at http://www.channelguys.com/VideoWorld/article.php?sid=252 .

A big thanks to Tinho and Suzie Dornellas, as well as their volunteers for putting on what is fast becoming the event to attend in North America. Also, thanks to title sponsors AHD and Gaastra. You can check out their fine products and likely find more event coverage at www.A-H-D.com and www.Gaastra.com. Also, look to www.iwindsurf.com for extended coverage and images. And finally, look for full Mid-Winters coverage in the May issue of Windsurfing Magazine.

Better get to work on it…

Eddy

 

 

ikely find more event coverage at www.A-H-D.com and www.Gaastra.com. Also, look to www.iwindsurf.com for extended coverage and images. And finally, look for full Mid-Winters coverage in the May issue of Windsurfing Magazine.

Better get to work on it…

Eddy