Date: 19 January 2002
Racing at the Amslam at Mana Mana came to a conclusion today on the north shore
of Bintan. The Amslam is a four-day international windsurfing event that takes
place annually at the Mana Mana Beach Club. This is the third event on the Adecco
Asian Windsurfing Tour, Presented by Foster’s, which also visits Taiwan, Malaysia,
the Philippines and Saipan.
Each event on the Adecco AWT is filmed for international television. Broadcasts
reach into over 160 million potential households in over 100 countries. Asian
windsurfing with its exotic island locations, competitive racing and carnival
atmosphere is being seen around the globe and people like what they see. The
sport in Asia is growing as the young are drawn to the action and the new equipment
makes learning easy.
As day broke on Bintan the leader board at the event showed Robbie Radis in
the lead but only 3.75 points ahead of close rival Roberto Hoffmann. Behind
him was Thailand’s Kookiat Sukufeaeng. Leading Singaporean TC Chau coming in
sixth overall. With a whole day of racing ahead the result was still open. At
stake was the title of Champion, Adecco AWT points and cash and equipment prizes
worth over S$.15,000.
Closer to shore an impressive swell was breaking in clean sets. With wind speeds
around 12 knots – gusting to 14 knots the race officials took a break from the
slalom action and sent competitors out for the Foster’s Forward Loop contest.
Wave and Freestyle windsurfing is a difficult art that requires time, skill,
imagination – and above all, guts. A forward loop is a move that sees the
entire sail and board, with windsurfer attached, rotate through a full 360 degrees.
It’s a huge test of self-belief and for the uninitiated, seems very un-natural.
As the saying goes, "you never forget your first forward".
The contest was a simple one, perform tricks by all means, but the judges were
watching for the best forward loop. Windsurfers are an extrovert breed and performed
for the cameras and crowd, throwing their rigs through the air, not always with
tidy results. But at the end of the allotted time there was a clear winner –
Roberto Hoffmann. His power and poise were impressive and he was a worthy winner.
Today there were three rounds of racing. Robbie Radis continued his good form
to storm home ahead of Roberto Hoffmann. Thailand sailors, Kookiat Sakufeaeng
come in third, fourth was Bo Rumsap and fifth Suhaimee Moohammadkasem.
After ten rounds of racing the competitors are allowed to discard their worst
two results. Thus with the best eight races the Champion of the 2002 Amslam
at Mana Mana was Australia’s Robbie Radis. Having successfully defended his
Amslam Title and won his second consecutive AWT Title Radis was naturally jubilant
"This is sweet. Every victory is a good feeling but Mana Mana is special
to me because it was here that I first won an event on the Adecco AWT back in
1999. Having got a third place in Taiwan and now two victories in Malaysia and
here I’m in a good position for the Tour".
Winning the Master’s Division was Sukhdev Singh from Malaysia, and winning
the Ladies Division was Rachel Ng from Singapore. The top placed Singaporean
was TC Chua who finished sixth in the Men’s Open.
The Adecco AWT now moves straight on to Boracay Island in the Philippines.
Racing there will start on Tuesday 22nd January.
The Adecco Asian Windsurfing Tour is Presented by Foster’s with Official Magazine
Action Asia. The Amslam at Mana Mana is supported by Neil Pryde and Hawaiian
Tropic. Each event on the Adecco AWT is filmed for international broadcast to
an audience in excess of 160 million households in over 100 countries worldwide.
For more information contact Proteus Sports visit the asianwindsurfingtour
website or call Karen Wallace from Proteus Sports on +852 9034 7949
