Cancun North American Windsurfing Championships 2014 preview
by International Windsurfing Association on 21 Feb 2014
Cancun North American Windsurfing Championships 2014 SVK1 Sports
In the North American Windsurfing Championships for the RS:X and Techno 293 Classes 68 competitors from eight countries: USA, Aruba, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Cuba, Peru and Canada are taking part.
All were given a very warm welcome, then a colourful display of traditional dancing before the obligatory group photo call; all eagerly anticipating the imminent start of competition.
On competition day one, after the formalities of registration, measurement and the skippers meeting, competitors took to the water. The course area was set close to the shore with the finish line just 20 metres from the beach - perfect for the spectators lining the shore.
In the Techno fleet, the first two bullets of the day were taken by Mac Van Den Eerenbeemt ARU-11 but he made a mistake in the third race which cost him five places.
'It was really good, I was first upwind then downwind but I thought I had to finish and went back to the shore! I realised I still had one more lap to do and went back on the water, but couldn't get my first place back although I overtook one or two.' Mac shrugged off his mistake and said, 'It was a good day with strong wind and I think I will be okay in the lighter winds too if I pump really hard and do my best.'
American brothers, Maximo (USA-102) and Geronimo Nores (USA-09) are first and second overall on the Techno 293 leaderboard, consistency being the key. Maximo took the third bullet and is just one point ahead of Geronimo, who is one point ahead of philosophical Mac.
There are just four girls in this championship but first girl, Mariana Aguilar (MEX-28) is also a very consistent sailor currently sitting in 11th overall. First junior is Manuel Nores, 12th overall.
Over in the RS:X Fleet, Mexican lady Demita Vega dominates the 8.5 leaderboard with three bullets, an impressive seven points clear of Mexican Youth Mario Flores, who is just one point ahead of Brazilian Youth Benno Francioli.
Brazilian Ricardo Santos has three bullets and is five points clear of the American, Carson Crain who was beaten twice by Mexican Ignacio Berenger who currently sits in third place overall.With just three races completed out of a possible twelve, there is all to play for!
Miguel Angel Pani, the Event Organiser, full of enthusiasm and vibrancy, is proud of this venue: 'flat water, loads of wind, a five* destination with an international airport close by, the tourist infrastructure is first class . . . we couldn't ask for more. The reason that windsurfing is growing in Cancun and the Yucatan peninsula is that it receives government funding and a lot of other support. This location is also renowned for providing excellent conditions and infrastructure for international competition.'
Competitors from Aruba, Brasil, Canada, Cuba, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico and the USA have been arriving in Cancun and training on the crystal turquoise Caribbean sea. Registration closes at 12.00 noon today then the eagerly anticipated racing for Techno 293 and RS:X is scheduled to begin this afternoon.
There will be a maximum of three races per day, and a maximum of 12 races over the four racing days. Moderate breeze is forecast throughout the championship so a full racing schedule is anticipated. The Classes race separately although the different divisions from the same class may race together.
Stay tuned for more!!
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