Walvis Bay, 04.09.2007

We once again awoke to thick cold mist this morning but it cleared a lot quicker than yesterday. By noon it had already lifted for the most part and a SW breeze began to awaken the senses. The beach at the speedstrip was once again a hive of activity as riders rigged all sail sizes from 5m² right up to7.8m² in anticipation for the varying conditions which Walvis Bay tends to deliver.

The wind jacked up much better than yesterday and the heat was started at 3:30. The first 15 minutes was complete pandemonium at the start as the large fleet of participants, eager to get some runs on the scoreboard, converged on the speedstrip. Windsurfing legend Bjorn Dunkerbeck (SUI, T1, North) was on top form today and Blasted his way into top position early on in the heat with a 41 knot run, and fended off violent attacks from Patrick Diethelm (ITA, F2, North), Antoine Albeau (FRA) and Finian Maynard (BVI, F2). Just when the top guys thought the local riders were not a threat Namibian Matthias Roettcher (F2, North) blasted through a series of super fast runs in the 39.3 knots range, only 0.02 knots slower than the current leader of the World Speed tour, Antoine Albeau, and made it clear that the locals are there! Karin Jaggi (SUI, F2, North) was the fastest lady of the day who managed to stay ahead of Valerie Ghibaudo (FRA, Loft Sails) by only 0.04 knots !

There was really great action on the speedstrip today. We had a few broken masts and booms as usual. Australian speed demon Chris Lockwood hit a lost kiteboard full on which took a huge bite out of his fin and gashed the bottom of his board. I won’t mention here the words which were uttered… but in true sportsman style he just took another board and fin and headed straight back out.

The wind forecasts show even more wind tomorrow so we hope we awake to clear skies and strong winds…