ALLEN AND STASZEWSKA CROWNED PWA 2002 FORMULA RACE CHAMPIONS

Friday October 25, 2002
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Racing returned to the PWA with a vengeance this season with two hugely
successful Formula racing events in Leba, Poland and Sylt, Germany. The
men s racing title was narrowly won by Aussie race specialist Steve Allen
(Fanatic) ahead of Antoine Albeau (Neil Pryde AHD), Kevin Pritchard
(Gaastra, Bic) and Wojtek Brzozowski (Neil Pryde, Starboard) who all
finished in equal second. The battle was tough and between the two events
a total of 24 races were held in conditions ranging anywhere between 7-30
knots.

Allen won convincingly at the first PWA race of the season in Poland where

his light wind superior tactics blew away the rest of the fleet. He then
went on to clinch fourth place after a closely fought regatta in Sylt. The
combined results of the two events were just enough to give Allen his
first ever PWA World Cup title.

STEVE ALLEN (FANATIC)
This has been one of the biggest dreams of my life, to hold a PWA World
Title, the most prestigious windsurfing title in the World. At the start
of my career I said to some friends that I wanted to go and win the PWA
tour against the very best sailors in the World. They mostly said that I
was dreaming and that it is not possible. Well maybe for some time there I
settled into a groove of just being top ten and wondered if my friends
were right, but I never lost my desire and dream. Then this year I decided
to just focus on winning racing and not to compete in waves. The decision
has paid off and I am so incredibly stoked for my dream to finally come true.

Even though there were only 2 events this year for the title, the racing
was fantastic. From the 2 events we had a total of 24 races, in every
condition from 7 knots to over 30 knots with very close racing between the
whole top ten. The three guys behind me& Kevin, Antoine and Wojtek all
being on the same points for 2nd. This whole year has been incredible for
me. I married to my beautiful wife Agata, then I won the Euro Cup tour
after 9 events, then the IFCA World title and now my first ever PWA World
Tour title to top off a complete superb year for me.

I would like to give a huge thanks to my parents and family, my father who

taught me how to windsurf and my mum for the positive thinking advice. I
would also like to thank my wife and her family, and to all the families
around the world that have welcomed me into their homes and helped me so
much over the years. I also would not be here today if it was not for my
cousin Joel Tyack and my first board sponsor Steve Mcgeary who helped to
show me the direction to take in my windsurfing, giving me great
motivation from the start.

Then most recently the whole Fanatic team who I have been working with
towards this goal over the past 5 years, and my other sponsors Benzacne,
Rip Curl, Deboichet and Liberty.

Dreams do come true& Steve Allen

2002 PWA MEN S OVERALL RACING RANKINGS

1. Steve Allen (Fanatic) 4101 pts
2. Antoine Albeau (Neil Pryde, AHD) 4068 pts.
2. Wojtek Brzozowski (Starboard, Neil Pryde) 4068 pts.
2. Kevin Pritchard (Bic, Gaastra) 4068 pts.
5. Micah Buzianis (Mistral, North) 4002 pts.

The 2002 overall PWA Formula Women s race title was won by Polish sailor,
Dorota Staszewska (Starboard, Neil Pryde). Despite brave challenges from
British racer Lucy Horwood (Gaastra, AHD) and Verena Fauster of Italy,
Dorota was the dominating force on this year s female race circuit. Her
performances in both Poland and Sylt were mind blowing and her supremacy
in most races was rarely challenged.

2002 PWA WOMEN S OVERALL RACING RANKINGS

1. Dorota Staszewska (Starboard, Neil Pryde) 4200 pts.
2. Lucy Horwood (Gaastra, AHD) 4134 pts.
3. Verena Fauster (Starboard, Gaastra) 3939 pts.
4. Margit Germany (Starboard) 3837 pts.
5. Anna Wegrzynek 3573 pts.

Dorota says Thanks to my sponsors ERA, Neil Pryde, Starboard, Deboichet
and Reebok for supporting me last two years. I hope that the PWA
interest in Formula will grow and that next year we’ll get more WC
events when we can meet again and push it to the limits .

The return of Formula racing to the PWA has been warmly welcomed by the
sailors and proved to be a huge success. The PWA represents excellence in
windsurfing and its membership constitutes the who s who of the sport.
This years PWA formula racing tested the skill, stamina and strength of
the best racers in the world. Congratulations to Steve and Dorota for your
victories. It is hoped that the 2003 Formula race calendar will be
extended to include several new events.