The final day of competition dawned hot and sunny, but with no wind – perfect barbecue conditions! Competitors were on hold with the first possible warning signal at 1600. By this time the wind had picked up, was coming from the right direction and the Race Committee were ready on the water. [more]A few sailors had optimistically joined them on the water but the wind was unstable, 6 to 8 knots and shifty with holes. By 1640 the wind was tantalisingly close to OK but too many holes particularly to windward brought the call “no more racing today”. This signalled the end of the Monsaraz World Festival, congratulations to the champions, and all looked forward to the Prize Giving that evening.
Tristen Kivi (EST-347) was 6 points clear at the top of the leaderboard, ending the championship with an almost perfect score, and claimed the title 2015 Formula Windsurfing Youth World Champion. A hard fought battle between Karl-Erik Saarm (EST-228) and Martin Hovda (NOR-41) meant they finished just one point apart, claiming second and third places respectively on the podium. Casper Jepsen (DEN-35) showed great promise for the future taking the first Junior prize and, also from Denmark, Anissa Mohrath (DEN-85) took the first Woman prize.
Meanwhile over in the masters fleet World Champion Janis Preiss (LAT-23) retained his title to be the 2015 Formula Windsurfing Masters World Champion, another with a near perfect score, three points ahead of his close rival Fernando Delgado (ESP-71) who took silver on the podium. Portuguese Miguel Martinho (POR-5) missed the first day of racing due to illness, but managed to kick Pieter Eliens (NED-52) off the podium to claim third place. First Grandmaster was Arvydas Moliusis (LTU-789).
All that is left now is to thank the organisers Associacao Formula Windsurfing Portugal (APFW) in co-operation with Clube de Vela de Lagos and all involved, ashore and afloat, in staging a great event in a superb location. In the words of Anissa Mohrath: “
“Cannot believe it. I am now Women’s Champion in Formula Windsurfing 2015. I was told from the organisers that they loved to see me race because they could see how much I enjoyed it. I came to Lagos to have fun, to be socialised with windsurfers from all around the world and didn’t expect to win, and at the end I find myself on the podium as number one with two other amazing women who really deserve their 2nd and 3rd place. Congrats to everyone (also the Youth, Junior, Masters and Grandmasters) and thanks to the Clube de Vela de Lagos for giving me such a unforgettable experience.”
