North West Europe Windsurfing Championships 2011

Renesse - Holland 22 - 26 August 2011

By Jon Metcalfe

A total of 15 competitors made the trip to the Mecca of windsurfing in Holland this year, albeit the attendance was a bit down on last year we were all looking forward to a cracking week of racing.

The event was in its 21st year and tributes were paid to Steve Myers who has kept the event going for all this time. The event has more of a family run feel as the majority of the competitors and family’s stay in chalets or pitch their tents in one of the main camping sites in Renesse which provides a great social aspect in the evenings after racing for the day has been concluded.

We were all hoping to get the wind conditions we had last year but due to light winds and a lot of heavy showers and sporadic thunder and lightning which played havoc with he racing we had to settle for only one full day of racing. This put a bit of added pressure on the race officers and competitors as we completed over 13 races on the Wednesday which enabled us to get a result. The wind was averaging around 12 – 15 knots so most of the sailors opted to use formula boards with 10.8m rigs or big slalom boards with 9.5m.

Mel Brookes took the gamble on bringing his long board which paid off as he won pretty much all the course racing which was run in light winds, Mark Collins (RE) was second and Andy Gladen (RE) third. A total of 4 races were completed based around an upwind downwind course.

Long distance – only one race was completed which was one by a very in form Dave Curry (RE) closely followed by Marty Jerrard (AMS) and Dave Hinsley also from the (AMS) on the slalom front a total of four races were completed giving sailors one discard, Dave Hinsley took overall wins with Dave Curry second and a great result for John Crawley (BFSTC Chief Instructor) in third.

Master blaster – 5 races completed, over one lap of a long cross wind course, Dave Hinsley again took the points and close second Mel Brookes with Dave Curry in third.

Due to the light winds it was decided not to run a freestyle event this year. On the intermediate front Grant Hardstaff (RA) was the only competitor so he raced with the main fleet and did exceptionally well completing all the races. Also very encouraging to see were two female racers Laura Jurgans and Gabby Gidney who competed all week in the difficult conditions, Laura just pipped Gabby to the overall win in the ladies fleet.

Overall the results were very close with just one point separating third to first place overall.

Dave Hinsley (AMS)
First place 13 points
Dave Curry (RE)
Second place 14 points
Mark Collins
Third place 15 points

Hope to see you all next year.

Jon Metcalfe

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