Army Windsurfing - Joint Services ChampionshipsJoin the ASA Today

The 2011 Joint Services windsurfing championships was hosted by the Army this year. The competition was held at Inn on the Beach situated at Hayling Island over the weekend of the 22 – 23 Oct. The competition format was based around all three services entering a six man team combined with an individual competition, the racing format is normally based around course racing but due to the forecast the team captains agreed with the Race Officer that slalom would be the preferred discipline.

The forecast for the weekend was really good with south to south east winds ranging from force 4 – 5 all weekend with dry and sunny weather so great conditions to run some slalom racing. On paper the Army team were looking the strongest as a total of ten top flight sailors were available for the event. The Royal Navy had 6 sailors in attendance and the RAF only three which unfortunately gave them a large handicap points wise from the start of the team event.

The Army team compiled of Pte Dan Skudder (RLC), Lt Col Gareth Baker (RE), Maj Allan Cross (RLC), Lt Col David Hinsley (AMS), Capt Jed Cunningham (RA) and Ssgt Rob Hickley (RS).

Saturday – wind was SSE force 4 – 5 which gave for a moderate on shore wind with a fairly lumpy sea state, a figure of 8 course was laid across the wind and 4 races were completed.

Pte Dan Skudder (RLC) cleaned up with 4 straight wins showing great skill and technique dealing with the choppy sea state, Lt Col Gareth Baker (RE) was hot on Dan’s heels with a 4th in the first race and then consecutive 2nd places in the remaining three races. Johnny Walker (RN) was sailing well and picked up a 2nd 3rd and 4th place over the four races. The rest of the Army team put in some solid performances and when totalling the combined team scores it was looking like it was going to be all over by the end of Saturday as the Army were in a commanding position both with team results and individual placings.

Sunday – wind increasing SSE 5 – 6 moderate to rough seas state, conditions were more extreme with a big shore break which was going to really challenging for the sailors. The decision was made to try and complete three more slalom races in the morning giving a total of 7 races being completed and two discards for sailors. Dan Skudder again was on form blitzing his way to two first places and a second; Gareth Baker was on form again coped well with the conditions scoring a 2nd, 4th and 1st place which assured him of a second place overall in the individual rankings. Johnny Walker (RN) and Mark Rich (RAF) were both sailing well and finished 3rd and 4th in the individual competition.

Team Results

1	Army	155.4 points
2	RN	377 points
3	RAF	402 points

Individual Results

1	Pte Dan Skudder	Army RLC
2	Lt Col Gareth Baker	Army RE
3	CPO Johnny Walker	RN

 

A Few Mentions

RN RIB safety crew who provided race support and safety cover for the event

ASA Equipment Manager Mark Langhorne who assisted in race officer duties and logistics

Next year’s event will be organised by the RAF, Dates to be confirmed.

Article written by Jon Metcalfe ASA Windsurfing Training Manager.