On the third day the weather forecast came good with a southerly 5-6 blowing. In total, 63 participants were able to complete 2 slalom eliminations with perfect side shore wind. Flensburger Gunnar Asmussen (GER-88, Patrik, North) emerged as the clear winner of two races.[more]


In the first slalom round both Vincent Langer (GER-122, Starboard, Severne) and Gunnar Asmussen, two German participants, qualified for the final. Asmussen got off to a perfect start, showed superior speed and made no mistake at the jibe. Thus he was able to record a clear victory in the first slalom.


Vincent Langer missed the start and adopted a high risk strategy. He just barely missed a collision with Jordy Vonk (NED-69, Patrik, Loft Sails). Fortunately, both were able to continue their race. Vonk from the Netherlands maintained a strong performance and secured second place. Third place went to Poland’s Maciej Rutkowski (POL-23, Patrik, point 7). After a strong rally Langer was able to show, in fourth place, that he is a world leader. Also in the top 5 Sebastian Kornum (DEN-24, JP, NeilPryde).


With further increasing wind a second slalom could be started. The strong wind and high waves were the perfect conditions for Gunnar Asmussen. The 110kg giant from Flensburg also dominated the second round and was able to notch up a comfortable victory.


Vincent Langer made no mistake this time. But he had to pay tribute and to be content with second place in the superior speed of Asmussen. Also, the Dutchman Jordy Vonk again showed a strong performance. He secured third place in front of Italian Andrea Ferin. Matt Fabian was able to keep at a distance Casper Bouman, while Andrea Rosati ousted Florian Bandel in eighth place.


After two full slalom elimination Gunnar Asmussen is unchallenged with the ideal score of 1.4 at the top and is thus clearly on track for the world title. The Dutchman Jordy Vonk is after the third day in second place with 5.0 points. Vincent Langer would round out the podium with 6.0 points.


For the weekend, the forecast predicts continued good wind conditions, so that more races are still possible. the slalom world championship runs through Sunday 12th May as part of the Summer Opening Rollei presented by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles


 Encouraged by the wind forecast for the second day of the Rollei Summer Openings presented by Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge, the many visitors and participants anticipated a spectacular slalom day. In bright sunshine, tens of thousands of windsurfing enthusiasts gathered on the promenade of Westerland. Unfortunately, the wind did not live up to its promise and forced the windsurfing elite again to be on hold.


Around 10:00 clock, whilst the wind was still at its best, the Race Committee prepared for the slalom discipline.  But after the first heat the competitors were sent ashore. Heavy sea fog affected visibility for sailors and racing crew so badly that for security reasons racing had to be stopped, and then the wind fell under the minimum required for slalom.


After a short break to re-organise themselves, the race committee moved to the light wind discipline of racing (Formula Windsurfing).  Equipped with sails up to 12 square meters, the racers gathered at the starting line, only to be thwarted by this fickle wind as the race was abandoned. Thus, the second day of competition saw no contest.


While the 63 participants used the forced break for intensive discussion of interesting subjects such as new equipment and past training sessions,  the numerous visitors, meanwhile, enjoyed the sun and the rich offerings of the food outlets and the shopping district of Westerland Promenade.


The wind and weather forecast for Friday’s race day shows wind speeds force 6-7 and thus ideal conditions for the slalom discipline. So then the first rounds of the slalom World Cup can be completed hopefully.


Maybe it’s enough for the wave riding discipline? The first race expected to be launched Friday at 10.15.




The first day of the “Rollei Summer Opening presented by Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge” brought light wind with 7 to 14 knots. The race committee decided to use the marginal conditions for the discipline racing. Vincent Langer (GER-122, Starboard, Severne) from Germany nailed an impressive start-finish-victory and is leading the regatta after the first day. For the discipline slalom the conditions never materialized . . . ( more )