Defi Wind 2007 Report by Neil Pryde

With Antoine Albeau (NP/ Startboard) dropping down to a 5.0m RS:Racing whilst warming up before the Skippers meeting it was clear the wind was going to be the greatest challenger on Day 1 of the 2007 Defi Wind. At 2pm Race Director, Philippe Bru admitted the wind had got the better of the event and official racing was called off. The pros continued with a slalom race to keep the crowds entertained and Albeau secured the win.

On Day Two the Tramontana wind had lost a lot of its venom but was still blowing a good 25 – 30 knots on the start line during the morning! For race director Philippe Bru it nevertheless meant finally getting the racing going on his favourite course, Gruissan – Port la Nouvelle and back, twice, that’s about 40km of racing !

Favourite Antoine Albeau did not get off to a great start, getting away no better than 15th and leaving Anders Bringdal and Phil McGain to dispute the early lead… Having opted for a 7.8 with most of the riders going no more than 7.0, Albeau saw his calculated gamble pay off as he overhauled the others one by one, taking the first race ahead of Cyril Moussilmani, himself managing to hold off a clearly in-form Pieter Bijl (NP/ Fanatic).

But more than anything, even an Albeau win, the big attraction is the sight of 700 windsurfers on water befitting the occasion… Quite simply, unique !!!

Time to quickly catch their breath and the riders were sent out for a second race at about 2.30 pm. Same players, shoot again, everyone back on the same race course. After a slightly difficult start in the morning, this time everyone seems to get away well, a magnificent mass-start. Albeau makes no mistakes this time but still finds Anders Bringdal hanging on to his tail. There’s a fantastic tussle between the two with Bringdal leading after the first lap but Albeau coming back to snatch the lead and win on the second to last leg.

This time TeamPryde's Peter Bijl took second place with Bringdal third, Moussilmani fourth and McGain 5th !

Muscles already aching, the riders were up for it anyway when the organisers suggested a third race of the day. A shorter race, same course but just one lap… With the wind still solid at 16 - 22 knots, Albeau got off to a flying start, this time with Phil McGain hot on his heels. But to no avail, the French maestro taking his third first place of the day, Mr Consistency Pieter Bijl in second and Israeli rider Arnon Dagan (NP/Fanatic) in third. McGain eventually finished 4th followed by Micah Buzianis (NP / JP) and Dan Ellis. 6.10 pm.

Antoine Albeau confirms his good early season form, but on the day windsurf itself is the real winner, a page of the sport’s history written and superb conditions to celebrate the occasion.