KEITH ATKINSON WINS EASTBOURNE EXTREME – ACUTEL MASTERBLAST CHALLENGE
 

The 2007 Eastbourne Extreme event was the biggest ever with the Acutel Masterblast Challenge taking place on day two which dawned with a severe thunderstorm, however it had cleared by breakfast time but left the beach being buffeted with a strong easterly cross onshore wind and rough seas, not what was forecast at all. A few early rising wave sailors, presumably those who did not party into the early hours, managed to get out on the water to enjoy the unexpected conditions.

It was an early 9.30 briefing for the Masterblast and sailors were rigging their smaller sails, however all the time the wind was decreasing. Keith Atkinson had decided a 9.8m was the order of the day, however he was running late and started almost 5 minutes after the beach start. In the knowledge that the wind was still decreasing he knew he would have his work cut out to catch the fleet by then well out to sea. However despite his recent injury which has affected his recent results Keith stormed through the fleet and returned as overall first place to take the Acutel Challenge Plaque.

Keith Atkinson would like to thank all his sponsors including, POINT-7, Starboard, Marlow Ropes, Eurovans, Physioactive, Dakine, also Eastbourne Borough Council for their support of the event and Acutel for sponsoring the MASTERBLAST.