WALVIS BAY SPEED WEEK – DAY 1

On the first day of the annual ISA surf & action Walvis Bay Speedweek, the race management allowed all riders some extra time to prepare for the official competitions, starting tomorrow.

In the afternoon, a training session was run to give the riders the possibility to finetune their equipment.

In 25-30 knots of square wind, Patrik Diethelm (ITA, F2, North) set the fastest time of the day with two solid 42.3 knots runs, followed by Bjorn Dunkerbeck (SUI, T1, North) at 40.7 knots. Finian Maynard (BVI, F2) became third ahead of Antoine Albeau (FRA) and the fastest local, Hennie Bredenkamp from South Africa.

In the womens fleet, Karin Jaggi (SUI, F2, North) was close ahead of Maaike Kallenborn (NED, F2) and Zara Davis (GBR), Valerie Ghibaudo (FRA, Loft Sails) preferred to stay dry for the day.

The forecast is looking good for the next days, and official racing starts tomorrow with skippers meeting at 10:00.

About the event

Walvis Bay, Namibia is hosting the speed windsurfing world cup finals for the third time in a row, starting from the 2nd of September and delivering adrenaline-packed, thrilling action until the 9th of September.

For the crème de la crème of speed windsurfing, now the battle is on for the world championship titles and new records.

In the men’s fleet, all eyes are set to the reigning world champion and 500m world record holder Finian Maynard (F2) from the British Virgin Islands, who clearly dominated last years season. The only sailor who was able to defeat him this year is French Antoine Albeau, but only a few points ahead of him after the seasons first two events.

Also very close behind is “Blackman” Jose Bahadour (Fanatic) from Guadeloupe, who dominated in the light winds of Karpathos. Can he also stand the hard conditions in Namibia ?

Ready for the shot to the top are also 36 time world champion Bjorn Dunkerbeck (T1, North), now starting for Switzerland, and Italian Patrik Diethelm (F2, North). Both are always good for some first places at their favourite spot.

In the ladies fleet, Valerie Ghibaudo (FRA, Loft Sails) is only a few points ahead of Karian Jaggi (SUI, F2, North). Zara Davis has a safe third place, but after breaking the nautical mile world record here in Walvis Bay last year she knows the place very well and will attack for the event title.

It is very clear, that who ever will be the next world speedsurfing champion has to win this event and keep his opponents on distance !

The ISA Speedsurfing Grand Prix is sanctioned by ISWC (International Speed Windsurfing Class) on behalf of ISAF (International Sailing Federation). The organization will be done by the Free Air Sports Centre in cooperation with the International Speedsurfing Association.

During and after the competition, we will have available for all national and international media, press releases, video packages with broadcasting quality images and high resolution pictures.

You can also follow the daily action through our live ticker on the website www.speedsurfing.org