FOIL RACING IN AUSTRALIA
Raging bushfires, blinding dust storms, and tropical hailstorms are the usual ingredients of any hot summer “downunder” in AUS, but the heat was certainly on during the 2020 DownUnder Pro Australian Foiling Championships.
Photos by Mitchell Pearson
The event was hosted January 31 through February 2 at the iconic Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron on Brisbane’s Moreton Bay in absolutely perfect foil racing conditions. Conceived as an “event by racers, for racers” by Severne’s extended AUS family members Brendan Moore and Glen Morrell, supported by John O’Brien and Ian “the Fox” Fox, delivered a masterpiece.
Top competition with strong teams from NZ, New Caledonia and even Singapore giving the Aussies more “summer” in their own back yard. Super performances from some of the youth contenders, especially emphatic sailing from the Kiwis Lloyd Lloyd Perratt and Thomas Crook who took out first and fourth overall, under the guidance of their chaperone Ian Young who -apart from cleaning up the Masters – also scored third outright. Jacquin Hippolyte in 6th overall from Noumea lead a strong charge of New Caledonian youths.
Run inside the overall event, the Australian Championship was won by the super energetic Julien Savina(and 2nd in overall regatta), ahead of Julien Ventalon and local RQYS charger Leo Sharpe.
Six windward return races of around 15 minutes winner time were conducted on each of Days 1 and 2, with Day 3 featuring a long distance lap marathon ahead of the final 2 races of the 15 race series. Designed to encourage participation and grow the sport of windfoil, relatively “open” equipment rules allowed a good opportunity for equipment comparison, with some notable standout trends amongst the front runners. Competitors used predominantly 9 and 10m HG2 sails, with 900/255 on 95cm foils the “go-to” size for the steady winds in 10-15 kts range.
The event was regarded by everyone as super successful, providing a safe, positive and exciting experience to everyone involved. Yes, next year’s event is already in the frame.
Full event results at https://www.sailwave.com/results/2020DownUnderProAus.htm
If you’d like to dig deeper:
Event debrief: https://www.sail-world.com/news/226234/Australian-Windfoil-Championships-Debrief
Day 3 images: https://www.sail-world.com/news/226202/Australian-Windfoil-Championships-day-3-images
Day 2 images: https://www.sail-world.com/news/226182/Australian-Windfoil-Championships-day-2-images
Event preview: https://www.sail-world.com/news/226095/Australian-Windfoil-Championships-preview
MORE FROM THE WORLD OF SEVERNE
Alien first encounter with Simon Bornhoft
Way back in Dec 2019, Simon Bornhoft tried and tested the new Severne Alien & Redwing Foil set up at Severne HQ in Perth. Having now had one of the early release Aliens for the last month, it is time to hear about what to expect from this addition to the Severne range. Plus, we get some impressions from Simon’s Windwise clients who were lucky enough to have had a close encounter with the Alien!
Foiling, racing and free riding at 2020 René Egli test week
Guaranteed a fun time and unrivalled hospitality at René Egli Fuerteventura and Innside by Mélia Fuerteventura Despite worsening travel possibilities and coronavirus restrictions all across Europe and beyond, the Severne team made its way to the island for...
A day full of action at Rookie cup 2020 in Brouwersdam
A successful year for Rookie Class The concept of the Rookie Class has been to get more young riders into the sport of windsurfing in a great environment surrounded by great teachers. For windsurfers under 18 years only, Rookie Class is purely built around developing...
Product launches, contests, lots of racing and good vibes at 2020 Engadinwind in Silvaplana, Switzerland
In a season where the prevailing topic has been the coronavirus, one bright spot has stood out this August; The 2020 Engadinwind in Silvaplana, Switzerland which hosted several events including the new iQFOiL European championship as well as Severne product launches and demos.
Impress Balz Müller at Engadinwind, Silvaplana and win a prize
This year’s Engadinwind event in Silvaplana, Switzerland is going to be one for the books, especially for Severne. Apart from an action-packed schedule during this year’s Engadinwind, we are also teaming up with Balz Müller in the search for the next “up and coming”...
Dieter Van der Eyken joins “Rookie Class” at Brouwersdam, Netherlands
The “Rookie Class” concept at Brouwersdam, Netherlands produces windsurfing talents every year thanks to the great surroundings and infrastructure of the “Zeil- & Surfcentrum Brouwersdam”. And what better input for the young guns taking part than a visit from a former local; former Freestyle World Champion Dieter Van der Eyken.