Day 1 Race Report, Results and Images by David Bell

Day 1 Race Report, Results and Images by David Bell.

As expected a prompt start at 12:00 noon with both men’s fleets planing off the start line. It was a mixed decision as half of the fleet chose to start on port. Near collisions between planing and non planing sailors, drove some slower competitors to a second row position in mere moments.

From the top deck of the media boat all you could see was a large group of planing port tackers speeding towards a close hauled, centre board down group of starboard sailors. Super exciting with lots of noise and lots of cheers from spectator boats.

The thermal breeze coming from the shore proved the smarter option and was made blatantly clear even minutes into the race. The right side of the race track the preferred, Nicolas Huguet FRA8 (Nickname Bobby) took the lead from the start and opened up a large margin early and just dominated. The wind on the outer loop of the course was obviously lighter, but still favored Bobby's tactics. Team mate Julien Bontemp FRA6, and Casper Bouman NED7, dueled it out for a very close battle, with Casper making good at the finish line to take second place.

In the second heat Nicolas Huguet did much the same tactics but was joined by Joao Rodrigues POR75. Joao a fierce competitor has been at top level Olympic windsurfing for more than a decade. Julien Bontemp, never to be out done held onto to a firm 3rd place.

The silver fleet sailing the inner loop part of the course, did much the same. Big port starts, lots of near misses, all trying to get to the wind first, that was closest to the beach. A strong presence saw two bullets go to the Polish this time. The first heat saw Michal Pollanovski POL16, being pushed by Maksym Obermenko UKR19, and Nick Dempsey GBR21. Nick is fresh off his two wins (Miami and Palma). The second heat saw Piotr Myszka POL82 a former formula sailor, win from Ivan Pastor ESP7 and a great effort from New Caledonian native Benjamin Tillier FRA39, now training and studying in La Rochelle coming a very credible 3rd place.

The women started around an hour later than the men, at 13:00 hours. Finding conditions slowly getting lighter they were only able to get one race completed. It was nearly a carbon copy of the earlier men’s races only lighter. The start was a little more orderly with less port tacking and more tactics, Marina Alabau ESP5 (bronze medal at Princess Sofia event) is showing that she is primed and ready to make the Hyeres event another strong showing, Marina took the bullet, winning the race comfortably from Zofia Klepekca POL8, then Antonia Frey GRE1, with a gap of 20 seconds to Limei Sun CHN12, and Faustine Merret FRA 9, coming a close 5th.

14:35 The wind almost shut down completely. Shifts swinging up to 120 degrees forced the race committee to postpone the next start for the women. In a hope that the wind may cooperate, the start boat motored to a closer position to the shore and proceeded to drop anchor. The Race Committee tried to have a top mark laid but to no avail as the wind didn't want to contribute any more and the day was finished.

Day 2 Race Report, Results and Images by David Bell

Women's Racing
As expected, a posting on the Official notice board this morning showed the ladies were rescheduled to the first start for today. It was an uncharacteristic start with near calm conditions at 8:30am. But as the land heated up, the clouds swirled around, and the wind soon built to a really nice 14 to 16 knots from the east. With little fluctuation in the wind direction, and rolling fun waves, the day set up as a picture perfect windsurfing day. Now for those who don't know, if the wind provides planing conditions a total of three races can be run, this is left to the discretion of the race committee.

12:00 noon name="view_imagefiles" v:shapes="_x0000_s1028">, and the Women were off and racing with a clean start, with the majority setting off on Starboard. The left side showed a small advantage, but the truth be known it was those with superior boat speed that made it to the top mark in a promising position.

Yesterdays winner Marina Alabau ESP5, started the day off slipping down to a 17th in the first race. A shock that she soon recovered from finding her true form to come back with a bullet in the second race and then just being beaten by Anna Galecka POL200 for a 2nd place in the third race. Anna was in 22nd place yesterday, but broke down all comers today with a 3rd, 4th and a 1st to easily show that she was the most consistent in these conditions. Placing 3rd overall, team mate Zofia Klepacka POL8 had a 4th, 8th, then a small slip to 12th, to continue holding onto her second place position from yesterday. Charline Picon FRA4 was also locked out of the top ten in the first race, but came back with a 6th and a 4th to lift here two positions from yesterdays overall 6th spot.

Finally Antonia Frey GRE1, who has been in the top Greek women's position for a couple of years now slipped from 3rd place overall to 5th, due to a shocker in the last race finishing her day off with a 5th, 2nd, 27th. Lots of smiles as the women got three races today clambering back from yesterdays light wind non event.

Men's Racing
In the men’s fleet, yesterdays results showed France, Poland, and New Zealand in the dominant top seven places. But with the promise of more wind than yesterday, name="view_imagefiles" v:shapes="_x0000_s1029">the list was destined to mix up quickly.

Both the men’s fleets were off with no major incidents apart from Byron Kokkolanis GRE8 nearly driving straight into the back of Przemyslaw Miarczynski (Pont) POL126. But after seconds of spray and an erratic bear away by Byron it was all back to the business of racing. Pont then went on to record series of three 2nd places to put him in 4th place. Two points behind his fellow Polish team mate Michal Polanowski POL16, who put together a 3rd, 2nd and 2nd to back up a 1st from yesterday. Michal is now in second place overall on 8 points.

With 5 races in hand a drop was to be allowed and for those with a bad result, a second chance. A few big movers have come back into the mix, Nick Dempsey GBR21 who had a gear failure and was left in 56th place yesterday, must be thanking his lucky stars, placing 9th, 4th,and 4th to put him within 15 points of the Leader Casper Bouman. Casper had a great day with 3 bullets, to rocket him to the top position, a very happy Dutch boy he was this afternoon.

Nearly as happy was Tom Ashley NZL181 who had a 1st, 3rd and 1st. Tom commented that “today was a big step in my campaign for the Olympics, as my windy performance had been lacking, and to triumph over the formula sailors (who are slippery fast in the breeze), in the first race drove me to bust out a 3rd and another 1st"

A tough day for Nicolas Huguet FRA8, Julien Bontemp FRA6, John Paul Tobin NZL1 who slipped down from the top billing to 7th, 8th and 9th respectively. Brazil's Ricardo Santos BRA1 drove three 2nd places to button up a fifth place position. Adding to the list of consistent front runners we can't forget is Piotr Myszka POL82, who still posted a 3rd, 4th and 4th but actually slipped down 2 places overall.

This all sounds a little confusing but with one more day of qualifying for the men, the groups will be split into God and Silver, depending on the most consistent sailors. Please bear in mind it is going to be a fight to the finish, as at this stage there are only 9 points separating the top 8 places

Race report and Images by David Bell

Ominous Black clouds over the hinterland beckoned a low wind race day early in the morning but as race time approached the sun poked it’s warming rays from behind the black. As this happened the wind rose to a similar strength as yesterday and we were off.

The sailors spent around 7 hours on and off the water today, the men completed 4 races and the women 3 races. Full planing conditions for the first two women's races ensured the top three positions a break of 14 points from their closest rivals. Blanca Manchon ESP1 had a great first race scoring a win to get back on track, blitzing all her opponents, with a lead of 45 seconds in front of Flavia Tartaglini ITA46, and Bryony Shaw GBR94. Blanca then went on to score an 8th and 6th to further build her position to 3rd overall.

Zofia Klepacka POL8 had a 17th in race one but found clear air and plenty of speed to throw down a 5th place and then continue on to win the last race in a dying breeze (which she won by a good 3 minutes) to hold on to 2nd place overall, arriving at the line yelling "PROSTO" Polish phrase for "too easy".

The unstoppable Marina Alabau continued her stream of top ten finishes to hold on to 1st place overall with a margin of ten points in front of Klepacka. Although the results do not show the closeness of all the competitors, and apart from the odd break away, the women's fleet is so closely contended that any mistake can cost you tens of valuable places.

Four races was a big day for the men, I personally do not remember the last time there was this many races completed in one day. NeilPryde RS:X Technical Liaison, Casper Bouman NED7, once again shined through to be the overall first place holder. His score card looks more like a binary code with nothing but firsts and seconds. Casper is showing a depth way beyond his years and a consistency that will only lead to Olympic selection for Holland. Literally at every point of sail, whether the conditions are flat with no wind or blowing dogs off chains Casper has the answer. Second place overall is Ricardo Santos BRA1 who has a similar score card. Although forced to retire in race 8, he is still backed up a super strong 3 race spread including a first and two seconds.

Nick Dempsey further recovered from his bad start to the regatta by switching on his Olympic bronze medal winning "Race-Face" to take two firsts, a second and a fifth. The conviction and focus is so evident in Nick’s eyes, he only sees the race at hand nobody else is around, and hearing the gun at the finish line is all he wants. Tomorrow is the first day of the finals races the top half of the men’s fleet going through to the gold fleet

Day 4 Race Report - SOF

Report and Images by David Bell.

The red and white postponement flags are flying, as we wait for some sign of wind, it is a balmy 26 degrees and well the heat haze is starting to set in.

There has been a correction to Tuesday’s final placings. The race committee had some recording problems in the last men’s race. The record shows Casper Bouman NED7 winning race 9 and Ricardo Santos BRA1 coming in second. This was reviewed at around 10:30am this morning, and a redress was awarded to Ricardo who actually won the race from Casper. Przemyslaw Miarczynski POL126, was recorded as DNF but actually finished 3rd.

Julien Bontemp FRA6 placed 5th instead of a DNF and finally Maksym Oberemenko UKR19 was shown to have finished 3rd, but really had a 6th place finish. So a few typo errors were promptly corrected, with the only placing change to the overall standings concerning JP Tobin NZL1 who lifts a position to be in 9th, and Maksym who now takes his place at 10th.

Well the heat haze definitely brought on what everybody was dreading. The long wait for breeze. Both women and men sat it out in chill'in out any way they could. Some fell asleep under their boards, others played table tennis. Most just sat around talking and doing the odd stretch.

Team Great Britain are the most stylish of all teams. Having a trailer on wheels delivered to the rigging area on the beach. Traditionally used for sponsors wishing to see the competition from a comfortable vantage point, but now being used as a team lounge, where the newly pregnant Helen Cartright (Women's coach Team GBR) can rest up between the hectic races. Rumour has it that the even have a beer fridge..........

In the rigging area just off the water is a stone "Table Tennis Table". Where a battle royal was being staged between Ho Chi Ho HKG6, Ertugrul Icingir TUR1 and Tom Ashley NZL181. Each taking on the other, but quickly destroying all on-comers. Any competition is good competition.

Reasonably new to the RS:X class Nikola Girke CAN17 and Farrah Hall USA3 spent time swapping songs from their Ipods and trying to converse with sailors with differing accents.

So the scene looks pretty relaxed. But I can assure you that 90% of the sailors are here to do a job. Some last minute preparation either on the gear and or the sailor is always first priority. Coaches always have something they can go through to better prepare their sailors.

The race committee made an executive decision at 15:45 and dropped all flags, accompanied by the customary hooter blast. All the RS:X class flags were flown. A scurry of people, transporting gear to the waters edge, others donning wetsuits and lycra, all preparing to set off to the start line. Due to the northerly wind, the committee boat dropped anchor, maybe 500 metres off the beach and the usual procession out to the potential start line began.

The wind was really light maybe 3 or 4 knots. A start sequence for the men commenced. But as soon as it started, well it was over. The wind not only died, but had been swinging all over the place. So it was back to the beach pack it up and pray for some wind tomorrow..........

I did however have a chance to talk to Casper Bouman and shoot a few questions at him. Casper is 192 cm tall, weighing in at 80 kilos.

DB: you are kicking arse here in again mate, what can you contribute your continuing success to?

Casper: I have been training really hard with Joeri my team mate. I feel I have an advantage in the wind because I am so tall and can hold the rig up a lot straighter than say some of my shorter rivals. Also I am getting stronger. I have really been working with Jochem my coach, developing certain sailing techniques that seems to be making me really fast. This in turn has definitely raised my confidence level, I now know that I can win races. I used to look up to all the legends, and now I am sailing faster than they are.

I am really happy with everything right now. I have also been working on my diet. Before I would wake up in the morning and have a huge breakfast, I now have 5 smaller meals. This is helping me become stronger and maintain a steady weight. I need to be stronger for the light wind, the smaller guys can go faster in the pumping conditions.

Day 5 Race Report - SOF

Report and Images by David Bell

So by all accounts the rain storms last night drenched the race site making it somewhat humid today. The weather really hasn't tried to cooperate. Again we were reduced to sitting on the beach praying for some sign of wind. Looking at the sky nobody could rightly predict what was going to happen, to the east dark clouds, to the west darker storm clouds and to the north and south a mix of the two.

So we have had 9 races in the qualification rounds which has been a great start. But before we can go to medal rounds, a finals race has to be run, and only then can a full series be constituted. So at around 11:30 we saw the all too familiar red and white postponement flags limply hoisted up the beach flag pole. You could feel the tension on a majority of the sailors anxiously awaiting the weather. It took until 14:35 for the committee to attempt to look at a start. A telling sign of a possible race, the start boat casually cruised out. Not ten minutes later guns went off on the beach. Both the gold Men's and the Women's fleets were given 30 minutes to make it out to the coarse, as the wind peaked at around maybe 8 knots from the north west. Hopes were raised as people were nearly on the plane.

The gold Men were to start first, coming off the line track back and centre board up, but still very marginal The top guys were pumping like crazy. Nicolas Huguet was on fire rounding the top mark in first place, and he never looked back. He was joined by a small group of sailors including Nick Dempsey, Samuel Launay and Piotr Myszka, all just seconds behind.

As it often happens the sailors at the front of the field seem to always get the shifts. But in this case it was a simple fact that they made it to the wind before the rest of the fleet was nearly becalmed. The wind dropped rapidly, and as Nicolas closed on the top mark for the second time, a shortened coarse flag rose, two warning signals were sounded and the rest is history. Nicloas Huguet FRA8 1st, Piotr Myzska 2nd, a last minute pumping frenzy saw Nick Dempsey GBR21, close out Samuel Launay FRA112 for 3rd place. The overall leader Casper Bouman had a small slip reaching the line in 5th, a big effort for a big guy.

So overall Casper Bouman NED7 is still on top of the leader board, with a total score of 17 points followed by Przemyslaw Miarcynski POL126 on 30 points. Both Nick Dempsey GBR21 and Nicolas Huguet FRA8 are locked on 32 points each . Yet Nicolas is ahead in 3rd place on a count back. Also tied is Piotr Myszka POL,82 and Julien Bontemp FRA6 tied on 35 points, holding down spots 5th and 6th. The one upset is JP Tobin who scored a 22nd today and slips to 12th place, disappointingly missing out on competing in the medal race rounds.

The Women's race was started in the dying wind just after the men’s start. It was to be all pumping and tactics. Small wind shifts enabled some to gain advantages but true physical strength and light wind prowess was the only way to win today. As in the men’s race Faustine Merret FRA 9 took the lead and kept it all the way around the track. Faustine had spent all morning in front of television cameras, and went out determined not to let her fans down. She gave everybody a lesson in determination, reaching the shortened coarse finish line a solid 30 seconds ahead of every body. Characteristically, giving the cameras a little smile and a wink before retiring to the coach boat for a well earned drink of water. Sadly after such a great performance she will not be in the medal rounds, ending up in 18th place.

Second place went to a little known Polish girl called Malgorzata Bialecka POL21 who all week had been way down in the 30's and 40's. A huge effort from the youth who obviously has been training in lighter airs.

3rd place went to Antonia Frey GRE1 who secures her 4th place in the top ten. Followed by Marine Behaghel FRA42 from the same club as Faustine, Crocodiles l Elorn in Brest. Coming in 5th was Blanca Manchon ESP1 who by sailing with sheer guts and determination jumps up to second place, ahead of Zofia Klepacka, who slipped down to a 14th place but still ends up in 3rd overall.

Coming into the medals race tomorrow sees Marina Alabau ESP5 leading on 38 points from team member Blanca Manchon, only 5 points behind. A further 3 points sees Zofia Klepecka POL8 in 3rd. Antonia Frey GRE1 is 4th on 58 points. Then we have a break of 13 points to the next women Charline Picon FRA4, Olga Maslivets UKR9, Anna Galecka POL200 and Anjeliki Skarlatou GRE3.

So we only got one race result today, but that is good enough for us to go through to the final day of the competition, The top ten competitors will score on the double point system. Which means you come first you score 2 points, come 10th you score a whopping 20 points. Any mistake can cause sudden and drastic results. So a very exciting finish is awaiting us tomorrow. Sudden death or sudden glory, there can only be one winner

Day 5 Race Report - SOF

Report and Images by David Bell

Medal Race - SOF

Report and Images by David Bell

Yesterday super light wind we thought it was a relatively clean race with no incidents, but somewhere in the mix up at the start there was an altercation between JP Tobin NZL1 and Nicolas Huguet FRA8. We are not quite sure what the deal was. both sides were tight lipped about the whole deal. I did however get a small insider scoop. Just off the start Nicolas came up from behind JP Tobin, who was going slower, sailed up over the top of him and whilst in the last seconds of the passing maneuver brushed his sail on JP's head, Nicolas was in the wrong. A protest could have been the next step. But the character and great sportsmanship prevailed. Not only did Nicolas go on to win the race in great style. He also acknowledged that he caused the infringement and graciously retired. This now brings Nick Dempsey GBR21 into 3rd position. Just hours before the final medal rounds were scheduled.

A really big help has been the French distributer for Neil Pryde Manu Messiaen, who has had a giant van parked at the rigging site, full of spares parts in case of breakage, or warranties. He has made it very clear that he is here to help out with any queries.

The morning breeze was nearly non existent, until around 13:40. We finally got the wind we were promised, from the North West. I say this loosely, it had the makings of a true Mistral wind. So the medal day format runs all racing on two courses, which are situated close to shore to give the spectators a closer view. Race times differ from regatta to regatta, today the RS:X race has been set as close to 13:45 as possible. Only the top 10 competitors go through to this round. And it counts to double points.

There is direct judging on the water with 3 jury boats on the course at all times. All Protests are decided on the water by way of a flag and whistle system. Red representing a penalty, green and white diagonal flag No penalty and Black flag instant disqualification. So when the sailors finally reach the beach, they know exactly who won. Signed, sealed and delivered.

14:00 and the warning signal for the men's Medal round was fired. The top ten men took to the water planing up to the start line and at 14:28 the first race was off, 6 to 8 knots. Tactics ever important in this round. So with the starting gun sounded, Casper Bouman NED7 was caught behind, and for the rest of the race was playing catch up, barely being able to plane upwind or downwind, as well as being forced to the right side of the course. The left was the side that would pay off.

Casper: It was really tough race. Only moments before the race the wind died and moved to the left, I was caught behind every body and had to tack away. Then the mind games started, I was thinking which way to go, then trying to pump, while thinking who is the leading. I just had to pump. It was one of the most confusing and frustrating races of my life. But you know I am very lucky. Today was a very big learning day for me. Here I am sailing against the best guys in the world, they are all amazing athletes . I feel really privileged.

First to the top mark was Tom Ashley who only had a lead of around 10 board lengths rounding and just barely getting on to the plane for a break away. Followed by Samuel Launay who has been racing way above
his potential. great job buddy. Nicolas Huguet FRA8, Przemyslaw Miarcznsk POL126 and Maksym Obermenko UKR19 had just metres separating their own little race. And yet again a huge black cloud crawled over the horizon, affectively killing all the wind. The men finishing in around 3 knots, the pain on the faces told the story. Sailors and coaches were all busy calculating the double points scoring system.

Jochem the Dutch coach greeted Casper with the good news. He had won by just 3 points. Good enough to take the Gold position at the SOF event. Nick Dempsey lifted a place to get into second.

Nick Dempsey: "I had a bit of a slow start, this week. But as the week progressed people made mistakes and I seemed to keep up my consistency. Today was a pretty tough race. The conditions changed so quickly. Coming off the line I had to clear some space and just go for clean air. My goal this week was to win the event, I am a little disappointed. Holland regatta is just around the corner. I'm looking forward to taking the top of the podium there." And a great Surprise was Piotr Myszyka POL82 coming from 6th place yesterday clearly excited with his first podium finish.

So as the men crossed the line. Marina Alabau ESP5, currently in first place, sat quietly on the coach boat pondering the possible race coming up. Both her and Blanca Manchon ESP1 In the top two positions with only 5 points keeping them apart. Zofia Klepacka POL8 just 3 points behind Blanca. The Men finished. The race committee didn't even go into a start sequence. And the jubilation was all Marina's. The photo tells the whole story.