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2009 Results |
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February & March 2009 |
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Hayling Winter Slalom Series - 5 Heats over 5 days |
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May 3rd 2009 |
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Sunrise to Sunset Charity Sail |
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May 16th & 17th 2009 |
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Rhosneiger - Pryde JP Slalom Series 1 |
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June 13th & 14th 2009 |
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Aberdovey - Pryde JP Slalom Series 2 |
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July 11th & 12th 2009 |
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Southend - Pryde JP Slalom Series 3 |
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September 12th & 13th 2009 |
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Poole - Sandbanks - Pryde Slalom Series 4 |
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September 19th & 20th 2009 |
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Brighton - Pryde Slalom Series 5 |
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October 10th - 16th 2009 |
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Weymouth - Speedweek |
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Sunday February 1st 2009 - The 1st Heat of the Hayling Slalom series. 25 knots from the NE welcomed me as I arrived onto the causeway at Hayling Island Sailing club. The temperature must have been all of 1 degree with a wind chill nearer –4. Following the skippers meeting in the nice warm sailing club, I ventured out to rig. I quickly lost the feeling in my hands but managed to rig the 6.7m & 5.8m and planned on using the Warp 67. Just on 11 as the 1st race was being called I launched, and made my way to the race area. Race 1 started very promptly preventing us from getting any colder than we were already. I started well and got into a good leading position. The course was a simple single buoy course for the 1st race which was approx 1 mile up the Itchenor channel and then back. I rounded the mark comfortably still holding the lead. After a blistering run back to the finish line I grabbed the 1st position place. Race 2 was a 2 buoy course which added a couple more gybes into the equation. I am sure that this was added for entertainment value as we were all struggling to feel our hands. I led the race from the start and again led back to the beach for a second 1st place finish. Race 3 followed a short warm up in the café under the sailing club. Some took the opportunity to tune and rig different sails whilst I decided to just warm up. I started well and the first run to the mark was a closely fought battle between Dan, Dave and myself. We rounded the mark very close together and started back to the finish line all battling for the lead spot. Half way back towards the beach I came over a small wave and hit a mooring buoy I could not see. I was gutted to find a large hole in the underside of the board. Following a hasty water start I managed to get back to the beach to complete the race in 8th. Races 4 & 5 followed very quickly after, but I managed to grab the 5.8m on the Cross 106. I was now underpowered in the racing conditions but was able to get planing fairly easily. I sailed well and managed to finish race 4 in 3rd and race 5 in 4th. Following a very welcome hot shower, I de-rigged and then went to the prize giving to collect the 2nd position prize. I was very pleased with the final position coming 2nd only to Dan Simpson. The Board is in the repair shop being prepared for the next days racing next Sunday. Check out some video footage of the day here; www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPCPmc0fOWE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hlu2MnFEYuw |
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Sunday February 8th 2009 - 2nd Heats of the Hayling Island Slalom series. The Forecast had been promising with warmer temperatures and a 15-16 Knot Southerly predicted. Arriving at the Sailing Club I found that there was no wind at all. I stayed optimistic and registered ready for when the wind did pick up. Following several cups of coffee and a little bit of rig tuning and rigging discussions on the beach the race officer called it a day on proceedings. With only a 10 knot breeze blowing against the 6-7 Knots of the ebbing tide we would not have found it possible to complete the 5 required races. The wind finally filled in to 20 Knots along with the rain at 1700. It was a frustrating day waiting on the beach with no reward. Looking ahead next Sunday is the 3rd Heat of the series. Lets hope the wind returns and provides us with excellent racing like the 1st week. |
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Sunday February 15th 2009 - 3rd Heat of the Hayling Island Slalom series. The forecast had a been poor all week for this event. Arriving at Hayling the wind was blowing a gentle 8 to 10 knots. Adrian and the race officer decided to call the event even though the wind was well under the required strength for slalom. A number of competitors had long boards with them and proved that they were the right choice for the days light conditions’ I launched for the 1st two heats of the day and pumped my way around the course. Both me and Dan brought up the rear of the fleet. I have been nursing a shoulder injury since July 2008 and found the pumping to painful and pulled out for the last three races. Very disappointing that the wind disserted us for a second week - But that’s windsurfing!!!!! |
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Sunday February 22nd 2009 - 4th Heat of the Hayling Island Slalom series. This was to be a repeat of the previous week with a little less wind. I ventured over as Chimet was reading 20 knots at 0700 but by 0830 it was down to 10 knots again. With surgery booked for Monday (23rd) morning I decided that I did not fancy pumping again. |
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Sunday March 1st 2009 - 5th and Final Heat of the Hayling Island Slalom series. I am now recovering from the surgery on my shoulder and out for a few weeks with my arm presently in a sling. My Final position in the Slalom series only competing in 7 of the 20 possible races was 11th. I am very pleased with my results in the 1st heat when there was good planing conditions, where I was finishing towards the front of the fleet and in the 1st 2 races at the front by 20—30 seconds. A good winter warm up event. Thanks to all at Hayling Island Sailing Club. I will be looking forward to the next series. |
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Sunday May 3rd 2009 - This was my 1st event after the shoulder surgery. What a way to return back to the water - 15 hours solid sailing for charity. I launched at 0530 from the beach at Hayling. The wind started off very light, and along with Dave White and others we made our way out onto the bar for a down the line session. By lunch time the wind filled in enough for me to be planing on the Warp 80 with a 9.2m Neil Pryde Slalom sail. To break up the afternoon some master-blast races were organised which were very competitive but good fun. As the afternoon went on the wind dropped and I spent the last couple of hours pumping my way along the entire length of the beach waiting for the sun to set. At 2030 the sun did finally go down and we finished our challenge. Thanks to all those that supported me and kindly made a donation. I raised over £200 and at the last count the event had raised over £11,000. |
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Saturday 16th May - The first event of the 2009 UKWA / Neil Pryde Slalom series. The forecast kept changing all week. One minute no wind forecast, the next storms. I left it late and decided on the Thursday to travel to Rhosneiger in North Wales. With work commitments I did not leave until the Saturday morning at 0200. The drive took 6 hours and was not easy, after deciding to go through Snowdonia. Rhosneiger is renowned for being a wave Mecca and not really a slalom venue. On the Saturday the forecasts were all giving strong Southerlies. This was going to make it an interesting day. After some breakfast I started to rig - but what?? I started with the 6.7m RS Slalom. By the time I had rigged it and got on the water the wind had already picked up. Straight back to the beach and change down. This time the 5,4m Alpha. As I walked back to the water I met Dave White who was coming in to change down to 5.0m. I should have gone straight back to the van then and got the 4.7m. One run on the 5.4m and I was back in changing down. Finally I felt fairly comfortable although I was now doing a slalom to warm up ready for the 1st heat. It took until 1200 before a simple 2 buoy course could be laid in the ever increasing sea. A beach start format was agreed and we were finally ready. The racing was mad with the wind increasing all the time and the sea was getting bigger and bigger (4m+ Waves) I sailed my way through the heats and loser finals to finish the day as 2nd Master in the pro - fleet. By late afternoon most of the wave sailors where down to 3.5m sails. I was exhausted and packed up feeling very pleased with my sailing and my overnight position. Sunday 17th May - What a difference a day can make. The weather was warm, sunny with a light breeze blowing. Despite the buoys being laid and the majority of sailors on the water on big kit trying to sail the course the wind did not play ball and the day was abandoned. This meant that my result from Saturday stood and I finished as 2nd Master in the Pro - Fleet. This is an excellent start to the season. I hope to make it into 1st position with a good result at Aberdovey next month. |
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Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th June - The forecast for this event was for wall to wall sunshine both Saturday and Sunday. Unfortunately they were right this time. It was glorious with a very gentle breeze. On the Saturday afternoon a few light wind master blasts were held and a little light wind freestyle. Following a good party at the sailing club on the Saturday evening, Sunday was much of the same. With no competitive rounds being held I still hold the position of 2nd Master. Onto Southend next. |
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Event Postponed until the autumn. |
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No Wind event. |
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No Wind event. |
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Saturday 10th October - Extremely light wind. I did not manage to get a recorded run in. I tried hard with plenty of pumping. Sunday 11th October - A better day with the course opening at 11am. I started the day off on the 9.2m RS Slalom on the Warp SL 78. I soon changed down to the 7.8m and the Warp 66 and then the Warp 56. We competed all day through to 3pm when they shut the course early. My fastest run as 27.69 knots earning me the 17th place windsurfer. Friday 16th October - Another light wind day from the North Easy. I rigged and beat up wind to the course in the centre of the harbour. Most of those competing were on formula kit whilst I was on the 9.2m riding the warp 78. I managed 11th Place with 20.20 knots. My final position for the event was 17th Windsurfer. |
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Saturday 24th October - A good day of Slalom in around 20 knots of wind. I rigged the 9.2m on the Warp 78 and raced all day on this set up. I won all races on the day. |
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October 24th |
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HISC Winter Series - Event 1 |
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Saturday 31st October - Very light wind today. I did not compete. I left it to all those with long boards. |
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October 31st |
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HISC Winter Series - Event 2 |