ISA / ISWC Speedsurfing Karpathos 2007 Information

Afiartis, 15.06.2007

Karpathos prepares for thrilling action as the clock counts down to the opening of the 2007 Speed Windsurfing Season

For the second time in a row, the small village Afiartis on the idyllic island of Karpathos is preparing to play host for the fastest men and women in the speed windsurfing scene. From June 20th till 27th all the big names of the sport will compete for the first points for the 2007 world championship title.

In the men’s fleet, all eyes are set to the reigning world champion and 500m world record holder Finian Maynard from the British Virgin Islands, who clearly dominated last years season.

His strongest opponent is expected to be again Bjorn Dunkerbeck, living windsurfing legend. But also French Antoine Albeau, returning from last year time out and F2-Shaper Patrik Diethelm are expected to dispute the places on the podium.

Some more world class windsurfers from other disciplines are joining the speed tour this year, like Wilhelm Schurmann from Brasilia, Sarah Hebert from Armenia and Paulina Pease from the USA.

Joining the men’s competition, also the women’s fleet is very strong for this kick off event of the 2007 season, including 500m World Record Holder Karin Jaggi as well as Nautical Mile World Record Holder Zara Davis and Maui Speed Challenge Winner Paulina Pease.

Though we only had 3 rounds of racing last year, Karpathos is expected to show exceptional conditions again. The spot named “Devils Bay” is well known for crazy conditions up to 10 Beaufort side-offshore.

The ISA Speedsurfing Grand Prix is sanctioned by ISWC (International Speed Windsurfing Class) on behalf of ISAF (International Sailing Federation). The organization will be done by the Municipality of Karpathos in cooperation with the International Speedsurfing Association.

During and after the competition, we will have available for all national and international media, press releases, video packages with broadcasting quality images and high resolution pictures.

For further details please contact isa@speedsurfing.org

ISWC Background

The International Speed Windsurfing Class is the successor to the International Speedsurfing Association, which was administering the discipline of speed windsurfing in the last three years on behalf of IFCA.

Effective May 2007, the ISWC has become an ISAF international class, and thus is entitled to control all aspects of the sport and award the official world champion titles in the discipline of speed windsurfing.

The ISWC is a riders association, which means that the riders itself control the development of the sport. Beside the organizing people behind the scene, the executive committee is thus completed with the riders elected representatives. Its current and past members are the “crème de la crème” of Speedsurfing worldwide.

Elected chairman of the board is Peter Davis from Great Britain, enthusiastic rider and organizer of the famous Weymouth Speedweek. Executive Secretary Markus Schwendtner from Germany already controlled the speed discipline business as ISA Tour Manager, and will continue this successful task for the ISWC now.

The ISWC events go from exceptional action in Namibia to more cosmopolitan spots such as Fuerteventura - the historical European Speedsurfing Capital, to huge shows of extreme conditions on small islands like Karpathos. In all, there are 200 to 300 members of the association at the same time, from places like Australia or Brasil, to Germany or Norway.

The Tour has to offer: dynamic, thrilling action, and bring the most visually dynamic aquatic sports to the audience, making it a perfect vehicle to locate sponsors logos; a sport that is set outdoors, healthy and environmental friendly.

Superb action on the water, combined with an interactive and exciting life experience, that creates an atmosphere where the fans and the media are face to face with the most radical and intense competition and the biggest personalities of the sport.

Besides being a sport of radical action, Windsurfing is a way of life. This type of life is formed by several elements to which many aspire, but that few can really achieve. Most of, if not all of these aspects of the sport are represented in the Speedsurfing Grand Prix Tour.

The ISWC is entitled to hold World, Continental and National Championships and is always looking for partners, local organizers as well as national associations, to propagate this exciting and thrilling discipline all over the world.

Local Organizer

The Municipality of Karpathos through the Municipal Organization of Development are responsible for the organization of the 2007 Karpathos ISA Speedsurfing Grand Prix.

A separate committee has been formed especially for this event and this comprises of the Mayor Mr. Micheal Ioanidis, the deputy mayor Mr George Gergatsoulis, Mr. Ioannis Zamalis and Mr. Manoli Kritsiotis.

Besides this committee many of the local population participate eagerly in the organization of the event, being proud of presenting Karpathos to the world.

Worth mentioning are especially the Lyceeum of Greek Woman of Karpathos, who organise the Opening Ceremony, as well as the many young volunteers who take part with such eagerness and enthusiasm.

The Venue

Devils Bay Spot Description

Wind: in average 5-7 beaufort, cross offshore

Beach: fine gravels

The Devils Bay is still the most favoured spot of Karpathos. During summer we usually have a constant and reliable wind between 5-7 beaufort on the turquoise blue 24 degree warm water. In July and August, during the peak of summer, the wind can get quite strong in the Devils Bay and regularly reaches strengths above 7 beaufort. The flat water close to the shore gives a perfect speed arena.

Island Information

Karpathos has kept its original Greek character when compared to other islands. Besides world class windsurfing conditions and beautiful weather it offers a variety of alternative activities for all tastes. Karpathos has an international airport which serves for flights from Germany, Austria, Holland, Scandinavia, Slovenia, etc. However, even if you can’t get a convenient direct flight from your city you can easily get there via a connecting flight from the major airports in Athens and Rhodes that is operated several times a day by the domestic airline Olympic Airways.

Official Schedule

All times subject to be changed on short notice due to weather conditions.

June 20th

15:00 – 18:00 Registration

20:30 Opening Ceremony (Amphitheatre Pigadia)

June 21st

10:00 Skippersmeeting

11:00 First possible Start

June 22nd

10:00 Skippersmeeting

10:30 First possible Start

22:00 Surfers Party at Baja Bar Afiartis

June 23rd

10:00 Skippersmeeting

10:30 First possible Start

19:00 Traditional Dinner (Event Site)

June 24th

10:00 Skippersmeeting

10:30 First possible Start

June 25th

10:00 Skippersmeeting

10:30 First possible Start

22:00 Surfers Party at Club Anemos Afiartis

June 26th

10:00 Skippersmeeting

10:30 First possible Start

June 27th

10:00 Skippersmeeting

10:30 First possible Start

16:00 Last possible Start

After last race Price giving

21:00 Closing Ceremony and Beach Party

List of accepted entries:

Name Nation

Alain de Gendt BEL

Alberto Possati ITA

Alessandro Comerlati ITA

Alex van der Meer NED

Andrea Baldini ITA

Andrej Kocjan SVK

Andres Avila ESP

Angie Holzschuh ESP

Antoine Albeau FRA

Armin Hoefer GER

Ben van der Steen NED

Benoit Moussilmani FRA

Beppe Fortunato ITA

Birgit Hoefer GER

Bjorn Dunkerbeck AND

Bjorn Haacke GER

Cedric Bordes FRA

Cedric Burel FRA

Chrisitan Benzing GER

Christian Bornemann GER

Christophe Fiorentini FRA

Cyril Moussilmani FRA

Cyrille Chipont FRA

Dan Ellis GBR

Daniel Aeberli SUI

Dave MacInnes GBR

Dave White GBR

David Garrel FRA

Dennis Littel NED

Dieter Gerichhausen GER

Fabrice Rude FRA

Farrel O'Shea GBR

Finian Maynard BVI

Giovanni Domenichini ITA

J. P. Nagel GER

J.B. Gautier FRA

John Benamati ITA

John Smalley GBR

Jose Bahadour GOU

Karin Jaggi SUI

Kurosh Kiani DEN

Marc Olivier Joly FRA

Marion Raisi FRA

Mattias Vos NED

Michael Bourdin FRA

Minos Efstathiadis GRE

Nikos Vardalachos GRE

Oliver Schaarschmidt GER

Orlando Lavandera ESP

Pascal Toselli FRA

Patrik Diethelm ITA

Paulina Pease USA

Pedro Brito ESP

Peter Davis GBR

Peter Volwater NED

Philip Adamidis GRE

Philipe Poncept FRA

Ricardo Langenbacher ESP

Sarah Hebert ARM

Steve Thorp GBR

Steven Stratford AUS

Sylvain Moussilmani FRA

Thorsten Luig GER

Tine Slabe SLO

Valerie Ghibaudo FRA

Vittorio Marcelli ITA

Xavier Joly FRA

Zara Davis GBR