Lancelin Ocean Classic - Downwinder results and report
Ready... Set... GO!... Ah... Where?
One problem, the swell was really really big! Which made finding white marker buoys somewhat of a challenge. Not to worry though! With 2 out of the 50 competitors rounding all the marks, the rest of the kiteboarders had an epic downwinder, albeit being a little big confused about what was going on.
So how did it all happen? Competitors traced it back to the last minute change of course by the race organisers, which moved the whole course offshore to the original plan. While everyone went around the first buoy, which was actually a 60ft boat... The second, third and final buoys were near impossible to see in the chop, even the guys with GPS watches couldn't find them!
Aside from the course change, briefings were spot on, the start was managed superbly and all the competitors had a ball with perfect downwinder conditions. It sounds like it was one heck of an event!
The organisers had a good time too, saying today on Facebook:
"The winds really came in Friday at Ledge point as we got set up for the Kite Surfing Downwinder hosted by WAKSA.
At 1pm competitors set off for the first marker of the zig zagged course up from Ledge point to Lancelin picking up exceptional speeds as they headed past the marker boat inland towards the 2nd turn.
As the riders made their way up the course, big swells and strong winds meant that many did not round all of the marker buoys, however it was local Ian Young who followed the course precisely in 45 minutes 11 seconds to win the race followed by Russell Curtin, an experienced kite surfer who completed the course in 59 minutes 29 seconds.
The presentations were held at the event village at the Lancelin Beach Hotel, the atmosphere was great, awesome day had by all. We're looking forward to seeing how the race will develop in 2014!"
Sounds like a great day on the water, check out the Seabreeze.com.au forum for more reports, pictures and stories!
GERALDTON, WA
