The RS:Convertible Class, in partnership with the FFV and the Cercle Nautique de Loctudy, has organised the 2017 RS:One Convertible European Championships. This Championship was the first Worldwide Wind Foiling event organised and sanctioned from international organisation and titles.
The Championship, opened to all, allowed international racers to compete through innovative race formats like The Pulsar (compact slalom), the Super 8 (long distance), and the Regatta (America’s Cup style). Courses were set up in a way that the on-shore audience could enjoy the races.[more]
The RS:One Convertible is a multi generational and universal Wind Foiling Class. It’s coming from the same Pedigree of the RS:X Convertible with more accessible features such 7.8 rig for the men, 7.0 for the women, 7.0 for the youth boys & 6.3 for the youth girls (under 18).
Thirty four top world class racers from 4 continents mixing the new generation and legends such Olympic silver medalist Julien Bontemps, RS:X European Champion Thomas Goyard, RS:X Russian Champion Maxim Oberemko, PWA Windfoil Champion Sebastian Kornum and IFCA Youth World Champion Nathan Doom battled hard to become the first European Champions.
7 to 14 knots for this last day of the competition with 1 “Regatta” race for the Men and 2 for the Women. In the Men fleet, the battle for the title between Sebastian Kornum (DEN) and Thomas Goyard (FRA) happened with an intense match racing at more than 24 knots of speed. These two Champions impressed us all with their level, speed and rage to win. Only 2 points are in between the first (Goyard) and the second (Kornum) after 16 races! Julien Bontemps confirmed that the young generation will have to compose with his experience and skills for future events. Corto Dumond becomes the first Youth Men European Champion ahead of Nathan Doom from New Caledonia while a dramatic counter performance from Malo Maisoneuve into this last race allowed finally Tom Arnoux to come back to the third place. Maelle Guilbaud from France impressed, the whole week, by her consistency and naturally claimed the 2017 Women European Title. USA with Farrah Hall can be proud with the second place as Farrah just started to foil few weeks ago. Coraline Foveau, from France, is third. In the Youth Women division, the young and promising Sorin Lola (FRA) took the title ahead of Carlotti Jamaine and Chevalier Swell from New Caledonia.
What a week! Mother nature offered us a perfect 5 days of racing with all kinds of conditions with off to on shore winds from 7 to 25 knots. 16 races for the Men/Youth Men (the maximum allowed by the Class rules) and 15 for the Women/Youth Women. The Convertible concept has proven, without any doubt, its pertinence and delivered a perfect Championships with every day action, drama, performances and fun. This first international Wind Foiling Championships wrote the first page of the new windsurfing competitions era. The magic mix between Slalom, Formula, Techno and RS:X racers delivered exciting races as the best has to be good in all conditions whatever the foiling or fin mode is chosen.
France has dominated all age divisions but the very promising fact is to see USA and Russia very capable to challenge the first positions. Denmark will be also a serious contender for international titles with its Champion Sebastian Kornum who will, for sure, inspire the new Scandinavian flying generation.
The perfect organisation from CNL, work from volunteers, race management by Christophe Boutet and race officer Christian Chardon delivered an premium event which left racers with sparks into their eyes.
The RS:Convertible is now becoming the most trendy and attractive One Design Windsurfing Class with confirmed international events till 2020! We are now all looking forward to see the first RS:X Convertible World Championships to be held in Azores from the 30th October to 4th November 2017.
Final results after 15 races for Women and 16 races for Men:
Youth Women
1- Sorin Lola (FRA)
2- Carlotti Jamaine (FRA)
3- Chevalier Swell (FRA)
Women
1- Guilbaud Maelle (FRA)
2- Hall Farrah (USA)
3- Foveau Coraline (FRA)
Youth Men
1- Dumond Corto (FRA)
2- Doom Nathan (FRA)
3- Tom Arnoux (FRA)
Men
1- Goyard Thomas (FRA)
2- Kornum Sebastian (DEN)
3- Bontemps Julien (FRA)
Full results Women
Full results Men
