Formula Windsurfing Recap, Jan 3rd, 2004
J-Street did not disappoint! Averaging 13-17mph with gusts to 20 the SDFW fleet had there hands full!
The course was a simple Windward-Leeward with the upwind mark about ¼ mile out.
Everyone rigged big for the 1st race as the winds then were only 10mph or so, but as soon as the Rabbit (Robert Van) started his run the winds picked up and the fun began. With a few Racers missing the start (as they scrambled to rig down) the 2004 Season was under way. Lasse Uronen lead start to finish with everyone else going down at least once in the building winds. Dave Dombrowski took 2nd and Rolf Schreiber an impressive 3rd. Both using 12.5 sails, Robert Van and Dave Domini got worked! Both went down on the Leeward leg and had trouble getting back up.
Now better prepared (and rigged) for the wind, the Racers began Race 2. Lasse was the Rabbit and even with an extra tack managed to hold off Dave O’Connor at the finish. A tired Dave Dombrowski took 3rd followed by Robert Van, Rolf Schreiber, and Tuan N’Guyen. As in Race 1, it was quite a learning process for the San Diego Sailors who seldom get the opportunity to race downwind it white-capping conditions.
Dave O got the better of Lasse in race 3 with the others placing as in Race 2.
Dave O aced Race 4 as well, with Robert Van taking 2nd in front of Lasse. Rolf and Tuan followed close behind, and by now everyone had better learned to run deep in the high (for us) winds with no one going down.
Race 5 was critical for Dave O and Lasse. The winner would take 1st place for the Event. In another close race, Lasse edged Dave O at the finish, followed by Robert, Rolf, and Tuan. Again, no falls on the leeward run.
In all, a great racing day! A lot was learned by all in how to sail overpowered, especially on a deep run! From my perspective, I saw great improvement from both Lasse and Rolf. Lasse to this point had only bettered Dave O once in a race (all last year!), and today he came out and won three races and the Event. Rolf was in the thick of each race this time as well.
Good job!
