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2008 Oceanic & Australian Formula Windsurfing Championships
The whole event was a great success. Lot’s of wind and good organization played the main part. During the prize giving dinner everybody had a smile on the face although most sailors were pretty tired after a successful 12 races over 3 days in prime racing conditions.
Severne Sails 2008 CODE Red formula sails started the formula season in good manners. Jesper Orth AUS 10 surprised everybody with a demanding win in the first race, beating the very elite in formula. Here are a few words from Jesper Orth: “The first day we did not race because it was too windy. Some of us went out to test out the conditions. I had a very good feeling with the gear compared to the other guys in this much wind. I would have liked to take the challenge up in this windy condition, but again most sailors would have struggled with the conditions, so it was fair enough to call the day off from the organiser’s side. Next day we had just a touch less wind, but still pretty strong. I checked the lay lines to the marks out pretty well before the race and decided to start port tack, as it was my best feeling. I was the only one on port side of the start line, but I kept to my plan. On the top mark I rounded in front of Steve Allen and Jesper Westerstroem and I knew from here of they would not let me get away with this lead. At the bottom gate we rounded pretty close. Steve and Jesper went to the right side of the course and I went for the left side. To the top mark I was again in front of Steve and Jesper and I surprised even myself by this lead.. I nearly went to the wrong marks on the downwind but corrected in time. I was too high for the bottom mark and was forced to jibe 2 extra times. Westerstroem (DEN 111) was now very close on the last reach, but hey,,- I hold it together and crossed the line in 1’st. I’m very pleased with my 0.7 in the first race and especially against a 2 x formula world champion (AUS 0) and the no 1 ranked in the world (DEN 111). This is a very good start to the season. The 3’rd overall I’m also very pleased with. Sean O’Brian (AUS 120) and Sam Parker (AUS 3) was fighting very hard from behind, but I managed to hold it together.” Steve Allen nearly lost the title. Steve Allen broke his mast in the 3’rd last race on the final day and was looking to retire from the event and hand the lead to Westerstroem due to material failure. Jesper Orth was kindly to lent Steve his spare 550 Severne Red line. Steve was a bit concerned how the performance of his Champion winning set up would work with this Severne mast, --but he should not have been!!!! - as he won the final race and secured the Formula Oceanic title. Final Result
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