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Mike Holland conquers the Glenorchy to Pigeon Island Downwinder Challenge
Sunday, 28 February 2010 11:31

Glenorchy: windsurf and kitesurf heaven on earth

39 windsurfers and kiters from all over the South Island descended on Glenorchy on Saturday 27th Feb. for the Southern Lakes Windriders Club’s annual downwinder sail from Glenorchy to Pigeon Island.

They were rewarded with a stunningly sunny and warm day. It was a spectacular site at the start with an array of coloured kites and windsurfing sails that quickly dispersed at varying speeds downwind. Winds were gusting approx 25 knots with variable and at times challenging wind conditions.

The informal race started at Glenorchy and finished on the Glenorchy road at the beach opposite pigeon island, a course of approximately 10 kms. First to arrive at the finish line, in approx 15 minutes, was local kiter Mike Holland (Queenstown) using a large 17m2 sail. First windsurfer was Gavin Jackson (Dunedin) on a 6.0 sail. 39 competitors took part in the event (compared to 19 last year) with the youngest kiters achieving fantastic results; Bennett Jones, 16yrs old (Dunedin) came in 2nd overall and Blake Porter (Dunedin) only 15yrs old came in 5th overall.

Participants travelled from as far afield as Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargil….. with one competitor even from the USA.

Supported by the coastguard and two other smaller locally owned boats manned by volunteers, the event is a memorial to previous club secretary Jude Green.

Event organiser Sue Bradley hailed the event a huge success. “It was amazing to see so many people taking part, the sight as the start was a real tear jerker all these pretty coloured sails in this gorgeous setting.. and what fun ! That was the most fun I’ve had on a windsurfer in a long time ! “

SUPPORTERS/ SPOT PRIZES.

As this is a social fun day out rather than a race, the prizes were focused on random spot registration number draws.

Watercooled Sports; wetsuit hoodie vest; windsurf action video.
Small Planet Sports Shop; 2 X Sports drink bottles; 2 X Caps.
Fanatic Windsurfing; sweatshirt,
G Force Paragliding; Paraglide flight
Winnie Bar and Restaurant. Food voucher.
Queenstown Fibreglass; $100 board repair voucher
Mike @ G Force; Kitesurf rental/lesson (for a windsurfer !)
Windsurfsue ; Windsurf rental/lesson (for a kiter !)

...and the very generous ......
Rodgers Dental/Colgate; $40 product packs for every participant
A.C.T. Builders – Tee shirts.

Many, many thanks to all our Supporters.

 

SOURCE: Windsurfing New Zealand


 

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