| 66 windsurfers complete the 2009 UKWA National Championships in Bridlington |
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| Thursday, 28 May 2009 11:12 |
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Last weekend the UKWA was again given a warm Northern Welcome by East Riding Council as the 2009 series moved on to Bridlington. Bridlington must be the friendliest venue on the UKWA tour and local interest brings out the spectators literally by the thousand. The promenade was a mass of motor homes, windsurfers, locals and holiday makers all enjoying the spectacle of the UK’s top course racers in action. 66 sailors turned out to race last bank holiday weekend 23rd, 24th & 25th May for Round Two of The Saturday greeted competitors with overcast skies and a light chilly breeze. Scanning the Internet for forecasts gave us little optimism, but the coast guard visited the race office with a promising forecast for the day and this indeed proved to be the most accurate version. Race officer Tessa Ingram and Principal race officer Mike Dempsey took to the water early and a course was soon set. The race officer ran 2 rounds of racing for all raceboard fleets in the morning session. After lunch as the wind built a further three rounds of extremely exciting course racing for raceboard fleets & three back to back races for formula were held. The race officer then announced another two rounds for formula but as they rebelled, shattered and vocal it was agreed that one more round would be held. In fact this was the right decision as soon after the leaders had finished the wind dropped and the back of the fleet struggled to the finishing line. On Saturday night there was a Pool Party in the local leisure centre hosted by the council with wave pool and slides, which was enjoyed by all. The leisure centre also provided showers all weekend for competitors and relatives for which we are most grateful. Sunshine was the order of the day on Sunday but the wind was far more challenging. Big wind shifts combined with gusts and lulls tested even the most experienced campaigners but the race officer was not to be deterred. 3 rounds of course racing for all raceboard fleets tested the strength and fitness levels of all not to mention the saw hands and blisters. Conditions made formula racing impossible and although the wind did at times look promising the fleet never left the beech Monday morning again saw a light early morning breeze but there was a good forecast from lunchtime on. Unfortunately the wind never filled in and although there was racing for all raceboard fleets the one start for the formula fleet was abandoned shortly after the start to the relief of the sailors. A total of 12 rounds of racing for raceboard, 11 for Techno, 10 for RS:X and 4 for formula made this a quite memorable event for all. Thanks to East Riding Council for making us so welcome, to Kieran Lawry & Paul Roggeman for all their help behind the scenes, the rescue crews & support boats, the race officers and their team and the admin staff who all contributed to make this such a successful event Thanks also to Tushingham / Starboard for the product prizes awarded to the raceboard fleet. Raceboards (10) RS:X (11) Techno (29) Formula (15) Freerace (1)
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