Walvisbay Speedweek 2006

11.10.2006, Walvis Bay

The 2006 Jaegermeister Walvis Bay ISA Speedsurfing Grand Prix The 2006 ISA Speedsailing Record Attempt presented by Surf & Action

The ISA is pleased to present the 2006 Speedsurfing Grand Prix Tour Final in Walvis Bay, Namibia.

From the 14th of October until the 22nd of October, 2006, the natural speedstrip in Walvis Bay will be the centre of the speed elite of the world.

Juergen Geiger, Chairman of the Namibian Sailing Association and co-organizer of the event today stated: "We are very proud that the best speedsailors in the world return to Walvis Bay to compete with the local windsurfers and kitesurfer. We are sure that we can offer the best conditions possible to host a worthy world championship final"

The ISA's Tour Manager Markus Schwendtner gladly commented, that "Walvis Bay really offers perfect conditions, wind and water-wise, as well as from the infrastructure side. We thank all the local supporters for their big effort that has been put into this event, and we also have to say thank you to surf & action for preparing travel arrangements for the competitors"

After the first two events of this years tour, the showdown of the top competitors will see a thrilling competition between tour leader Finian Maynard (BVI, F2), last years world champion Bjorn Dunkerbeck (AND, T1, North), who has same points as third ranked Patrik Diethelm (ITA, F2, North) who is also leading the production board ranking. Cyril Moussilmani (FRA, Fanatic, North) is ranked fourth but also has a chance to go for the production title.

On the women side, Karin Jaggi (SUI, F2, North) is clear ahead of Marion Raisi (FRA, Exocet), with Zara Davis (GBR, T1) and Valerie Ghibaudo (FRA,T1) close behind.

Right after the end of the 2006 Speedsurfing Grand Prix Tour Final, the top athletes will stay another 4 weeks to challenge the elusive 50 knots mark at a newly discovered spot with very promising conditions. During inofficial test runs two days ago, the kitespeed world record has been already broken and the outright Speedsailing World Record of 48.7 knots hardly challenged.

More information will be shortly made available on the official event website.

Event Summary

The Walvis Bay Speedweek is one of the longest running Speedsailing events in the world. Many world and national records have been broken here, and with the discovery of new venues in the area the chances to better these records are strongly given.

All the top international speedsailors attend this end of the year event to fight for the remaining points for the Speedsailing championship.

20.00 The Speedweek is now officially open ...
Registration went smoothly and preparations have come to a stop. Speed is on! The South Westerly came through a bit late with a fresh 15 - 20 knot breeze, giving sailors a good two hours of getting used to the course.

The day was a bit overcast and chilly and predictions say that tomorrow can be similar, estimated 15 knots with cloud cover. The sun should take over by monday, giving the wind much needed energy.

The Mayor of Walvisbay officially opened the competition at tonight's ceremony and spirits are high for the upcoming days.

In the end, more than 60 competitors from 18 nations and 4 continents made it to Walvis Bay Speedweek, which kicked off today with a stylish opening ceremony at the Free Air Center. Skippersmeeting is set for tomorrow 10:00 hours, and we will see what the wind is bringing us. The forecast is not too promising, but as we saw today the wind can come in everytime, giving us the chance for a sail.

Anbei ein erstes Pic. Björn mit dem brandneuen asymmetrischen Segel von North-Sails (kommt evtl. in Serie für Speed-Fanatiker)...

15.00 Very little wind. =( no racing for now...
After the skippers meeting at 10.00 the sun only occasionally gets a few rays through the misty cloud cover and the wind struggles to pick up in intensity.
A few kites are on the water and a hand full of windsurfers are cruising along.
Stay tuned for more news, but it seems unlikely that racing will commence today.

10.00 Skippers meeting..
Good morning to a misty and sleepy Walvisbay!
The weather predictions sre of very low winds with little chances for the course to be opened, but by Tomorrow things will swing around with an estimated 25 knots.
That means today is alternative entertainment with dolphin cruise, desert tours and rest.
If anything should change for today, we will let you ...

13.30 The Weatherman lied !
It is now lunch time and the wind has been northerly this morning and is now slowly turning to south west, but it seems to be too late...

Even though no wind came through alternative entertainment
like quad biking in the dunes, golf and soccer filled the day.

The sun was shining more though, which raises the hopes for
wind in the days to come....

Race Day 4

14.00 The wait could be over today!
Today the conditions have been the best for this week and at the moment we have ? 16 knots and it looks like the course might just open for racing...

14.00 The wait could be over today !
Today the conditions have been the best for this week and at the moment we have ? 16 knots and it looks like the course might just open for racing...

18.30 Nearly enough...
From 15.00 the wind hovered between 16 to 19 knots, gusting 21.
Racing officials were on the edge of opening the course for racing,
but the wind was just not enough.
Speeds of around 36 knots were reached.

Again not enough wind for racing but a nice training session today which was clearly won by Finian Maynard, setting a speed of more than 36 knots in only 18 knots averaging wind. The water was perfectly flat and the angle very helpful with around 125 degrees, and the timing display gave the competitors some hints to tune their equipment. The forecast for tomorrow is the same as for today, which means that there is a slight chance for racing, and the wind shall increase to the weekend so we are ready to go.

Walvis Bay Speedweek 2006 - Day 5

19.30 Better late than never and nearly twice as fast as the wind! NEW AFRICA RECORD!!!
The wind nearly had the average of 20 knots, the minimum required to open the course for official racing at 16.30.
Even though this was too late to start official racing, the course was opened for a fun race with some relatively fast speeds, that were nearly twice as fast as the wind.

Finian Maynard was the fastest man of the day with 37.37 knots, closely followed by Björn Dunkerbeck at 37.17 knots and Jose Bahadour with 36.77 knots.

Valerie Ghibaudo was the fastest lady with 32.79 knots followed by Zara Davis at 31.84 knots and in 3rd position is Maaike Kallenborn with 31.65.

Alexandre Caizergues was the fastest kiter with a speed of 35.49 knots, followed by Dirk Hanel at 33.82 knots and Joan Henaff is in third place with a speed of 33.49 knots.

The only kite surfing lady taking part is Sjouke Bredenkamp with a speed of 32.92 knots.
This is a new South Africa and Africa Record due to WSSRC ratification. Congratulations Sjouke!!!

Predictions look good for tomorrow and hopes for stronger winds are high...

Anbei das Ranking des Funraces...

20.10.2006
Walvis Bay Speedweek 2006 - Day 6

Finally Walvis Bay starts to deliver! In around 25 knots of wind one round was completed today, with Finian Maynard (BVI, F2) snatching the victory with a top speed of 41.88 knots ahead of Patrik Diethelm (ITA, F2, North) and Bjorn Dunkerbeck (AND, T1, North). The ladies leg was won in close racing by Karin Jaggi (SUI, F2, North) in front of Valerie Ghibaudo (FRA, T1) and Zara Davis (GBR, T1). Minos Efstathiadis (Exocet) set a new Greek record with a speed of 37.21 knots, subject to WSSRC ratification. Beside that, during the competition a new womens kitespeed world record was set by Sjouke Bredenkamp (RSA) with a speed of 37.24 knots, also subject to WSSRC ratification.
We hope for more rounds to be completed tomorrow to finally crown the world champion in speed windsurfing.

Anbei das Ranking nach dem ersten offiziellen Tag

Und ein paar Pics...

Leider sieht es heute wieder nicht nach Wind aus.

2 weitere Pics, die ich gerade erhalten habe.
Photocredit: Victor Couto

Finian Maynard ist Speed Weltmeister 2006, Karin Jaggi Speed Weltmeisterin!

Herzlichen Glückwunsch...

ISA Speedsurfing Grand Prix Walvis Bay 2006 - Final Results

Finian Maynard (BVI, F2) and Karin Jaggi (SUI, F2, North) are the new world champions in Speed Windsurfing !
Only one leg brought the decision in Walvis Bay, Namibia, but Finian dominated this years tour clearly, winning both Fuerteventura and Walvis Bay.
The production title was also won by Karin Jaggi on the womens side, in the mens fleet F2-Shaper Patrik Diethelm (ITA, F2, North) was able to win the title on his own boards.
The manufacturers world championship titles goes to F2 and North. The nations ranking is led by France in front of Germany and Great Britain.

Walvis Bay Speedweek 2006 - Extra Day
Due to the forecast for tomorrow, as a starter for the record attempt beginning on the 26th and as a nice connection between the world championship final and this record attempt, we will open the course tomorrow again for a nautical mile race. Lets pray for wind and some really serious speeds!

Hier nochmal ein paar Pics von der Siegerehrung:

Und die Letzten: