The
Flying Object Slalom Championship was a huge success on many
fronts. Apart from the wind been perfect for slalom with winds
blowing 18 to 25 knots through out the two days of the event,
this event attracted hundreds of spectators through out the
weekend.
The slalom event was held at Lancelin
and the course was set very close to the shore with a start
line only 100m off the shore with a first reach running 40
degrees off the wind with the first mark set 10m of off the
beach then into a shore figure 8 finishing off with a down
wind run to the finish line 5m of the beach.
From the start
Robbie Radis (Neilpryde/Kinetic) showed great form as he
hit the start at full speed with less than 1 second before
the start flying straight into the lead and pulling away through
out the course to take the win by a 60m margin from Jesper
Orth (Severne/Starboard) followed by Chris Lockwood (Arrows/Kinetic).Race
two saw it all change around as Orth hit the line with full
speed with a less than 1 second to go taking the lead with
Lockwood right behind followed by Radis. Lockwood looked
to have speed on Orth but could not find a way past so it was
Orth to take the second race with Lockwood and Radis finishing
right behind.
Radis then sailed some of his best
racing all season to convincingly take out the next three rounds
from start to finish building his lead with each round. Day
two saw winds the same at the first with a good 18 to 25 knots
blowing. Round 6 saw another great start by Radis as he took
the lead from Lockwood; however, Radis jibed a little wide
and Lockwood when for the inside to take the lead as they
entered the figure 8 section of the course. Radis did not give
up as he pushed Lockwood hard siting less than 1m of his tail
as they rounded the course. Coming out of the last jibe mark
Radis come out of the jibe with great speed and was now half
way up along side of Lockwood's board.
It was to be a run to the finish
and it was Radis who had to edge on board speed as he started
to move up on Lockwood down the last reach. With 10m to go
there was nothing it but it was Radis who edge in front to
take the win by no more than 10cm with Orth coming in 3rd.
The crowed on the beach went wild as they watch one of the
best finals of the contest.
Round
7 were Orth who were off to a great start and held a 10m
lead out of the first jibe mark from Radis. Radis then put
the hammer down and by the next mark closed the gap to 5m.
By the next inside mark Radis had closed up to less than a
1m the tail of Orth's board. Orth then pulled a great jibe
to pull out 10m on Radis but Radis then closed up again as
they entered went into the last jibe mark. Down the last reach,
Radis started to come up along side Orth but left his run to
late as Orth took the win with Lockwood in 3rd.
Round 8 were the final round to be run and this time Radis
and Orth hit the start line at the same time. As they blasted
down wind to the first mark, Radis managed to edge his way
into the lead as they approached the first mark. Radis come
out of the jibe with great speed and pulled away to comfortably
win the final round with Orth in 2nd followed by Lockwood so
it was Robbie Radis who took the event win with Orth in 2nd
followed by Lockwood.
Comments - Robbie
Radis (Neilprdyde/Kinetic),” This
event was awesome, it was so good to have so many people on
the beach watching. I think having the course close to the
shore is so good, which makes windsurfing a great spectator
sport.”
Results
1. Robbie Radis (Neilpryde/Kinetic)
2. Jesper Orth Severve/Starboard)
3. Chris Lockwood (Arrows/Kinetic)

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