Almost 150 competitors from Belarus, Norway, Oman, Poland and Russia took part in the Mayor of Sopot regatta. The event is unique because it is the oldest windsurfing event held at sea in Poland. So you can say that such a young discipline as windsurfing already has its traditional regattas.
Tradition, does not mean old-school as junior to veterans competed on three race courses in classes ranging from Raceboard to Kitefoil.[more]
The event attracts teams from all over as they appreciate the advantages of the venue.
“Sopot is the place where it all started for us with international events. We were here in 2016 at the Techno293 Europeans and the place was just brilliant. The facilities at the club are amazing. We’ve got accommodation and a restaurant on site. It was a natural choice to come back. The weather has also been fantastic. The conditions are not tough, good for the younger sailors, but at the same time you can also get some planing racing,” Oman coach Sultan Al Balushi said after the event.
Adding “In the fleet of 40 Techno293 Boys our sailors are doing well. The top guy was 3rd and the rest are in the top 20. So not bad. After the event is over we will still have an extra day training, mostly because we like the place so much.”
The competition also showed the versatility of the Kite foil class, which competed in virtually all conditions.
Tomasz Janiak, the host club coach is happy to be able to compete at his home spot.
“Today has shown that we can race from 4 knots. It is a beautiful spectacle and I am glad that our club managed to set up a course so close to the beach and show kitesurfing to a wider audience.
To represent a club like SKZ ERGO Hestia Sopot is an honor and I think that young competitors feel it too. We have the strongest representation at the moment and I am glad that this event was also beneficial for them, especially as it was the third stop of the Polish Cup at Kite Foil. We will have the Polish Championship ahead of us in August and this will be the last test.”
The Mayor of Sopot Regatta is not the only big event hosted this year in Sopot. The biggest ones will be in August, when the RS:X and RS Convertible competitors will come to the ERGO Hestia European Championships.
