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Round Hayling Windsurf Marathon 2009
Good Friday saw a sizable fleet on a wide selection of windsurfing craft do battle around Hayling Island as a famous windsurfing marathon was resurrected by some keen members of Hayling Island Sailing Club. Young, old, male, female, experienced and relative novice sailors circumnavigated the island despite the rather gloomy and damp conditions. The event demonstrated how light winds definitely do not mean light excitement! While Formula sailors and most on freeride boards were forced to retire as the wind fell to just a few knots, the vast majority of sailors on Raceboards achieved full circumnavigation of the island, providing spectators with exciting, competitive racing. Positions changed all the time, especially through the very strong currents at the entrance to Langstone Harbour. Most importantly, at the finish, all racers returning to the beach seemed to be smiling! Making its Round Hayling debut was the Tushingham XR Race 9.5m Raceboard sail, already a proven race winner. Its racing pedigree shone through once again, propelling Rob Kent to victory (and a ClubVass holiday!) on his Starboard Phantom Race 380. His wife Annette took a superb third place too giving the Kent family two thirds of the podium! Notably, taking every one of the top ten positions, the other big winner on the day was the Raceboard! Results (full list can be found here) 1st Robert Kent - STARBOARD PHANTOM 380 and TUSHINGHAM XR RACE 9.5 2nd Christopher Gibson - STARBOARD PHANTOM 380 3rd Annette Kent Rob's achievement in taking first place was fantastic but he didn't need an extremely specialist board and massive rig. The kit these racers used remains accessible for most windsurfers. Fred & Paul from Boards Magazine borrowed Phantom 380's and XR Race sails and were able to just step on and go racing. If you're presented with an oportunity to try the new generation of Raceboard gear do have a go - it really is superb kit in all winds and a pleasure to sail! |
