Light easterly winds for the final day of the Oceanic Championships meant only one race before the final presentation.  John Demol AUS 734 had a very convincing win [more]in the Raceboard fleet with 6 bullets out of the 9 races overall.  James Grunfelder was second with Benjamin Morrell only two points behind him claiming the bronze position.


Competition was a little closer in the Techno 293 fleet with Sam Trehane (AUS 1177)taking the top prize beating Eamon Robertshaw by two points.


Day Three Video –  Pat Coleman talks to us all about the ‘Raceboard’ class of windsurfing; one of the longstanding windsurfing classes that can be raced in winds from 0 – 30 knots!



RESULTS








Perfect conditions around 15 knots for competitors on Day Three of the Oceanic Championships.  [more]After 8 races John Demol (AUS 734) heads the Raceboard fleet with a clear six points over his rival James Grunfelder, and Sam Trehane (AUS 1177) is top of the Techno 293 fleet.


Day two video – Being interviewed is Ben Morrell (AUS-88) from his home club, who’s currently in 4th after two days of racing at the event.


Day Two Photos





Light shifting winds mainly from the South East and grey skies greeted the competitors on Day One of the 2011 Windsurfing Oceanic Championships.  [more]RSX and Techno competitors remained on the beach as the Raceboard fleet waited for their start in wind described as “fresher than nothing” by the Race Director.  However, racing was able to begin on Lake Illawarra by mid afternoon and the day finished with 2 good races completed for all classes.  James Grunfelder and John Demol each took a bullet in the raceboard fleet whilst Sam Trehane won both of the Techno 293 races.


What a contrast on day two as the wind gods delivered 14-20 knots for the mid-morning start and there was certainly plenty of action on the race course.  By midday, there were issues with anchors holding the start boat in the ever increasing winds so there was a slight delay while a bigger one was found!  25 knots plus caused “carnage” on the race course, only a few boards in each class braved the winds and the rescue teams were kept very busy!


We await the results of day two.  Meanwhile competitors can relax and enjoy the epic dinner party at the Illawarra Yacht Club and perhaps wonder what day three will bring.


Day One photos here


Short daily video here: Being interviewed is Flavia Tartaglini (ITA-1) from Rome, who’s been in Australia for the past 2 months, competing at a variety of regattas in the RS:X class.