Crowning at the Raceboard Youth and Masters World Championships

by IWA Office on 20 Jun 2013 12 countries were represented at the Raceboard Youth and Masters World Championships which took place at Marina Julia, Monfalcone. Sunny skies and warm weather, but only light breezes ahead of an afternoon storm, meant competitors had plenty of opportunity to catch up with old friends and discuss new concepts before the event opening ceremony.

A frustrating day two at the Raceboard Youth and Masters Worlds for both competitors and race committee.
The first possible start scheduled for 11.30 was delayed until early afternoon as the wind eventually shifted into the right direction for the thermic breeze.

One race was possible before the wind dropped and began to swing back to gradient wind direction. Competitors were sent ashore to await improvement, which eventually came and out they went again. But, once again, the wind eased off and delayed the start of race two. Sadly no improvement led to the end of racing for the day.

Master Pawel Gardasiewicz (POL-102), winner of the first race, said it was a great opening to the championship. Even though not enough wind to plane it was very nice to race with friends, he had a very good start and maintained the lead throughout. In second place was Grandmaster Karel Baranek from Slovakia, followed by Italian Paco Wirz.
Giuseppe Zerillo (ITA-07) headed the youth fleet, with Daniel Blinnikka from Finland in second and Marcos Guedez from France was third.

Day three of the Youth and Masters Worlds in Monfalcone dawned bright and sunny . . . and calm. However, the breeze kicked in during the afternoon enabling two races to be run, albeit in marginal planing conditions.
Pawel Gardasiewicz (POL-102) continued his domination of this light wind racing with two more bullets and Czech Radim Kamensky took second place in each. German Grandmaster Frank Spoettel took two thirds, bringing him up to fourth place on the leaderboard. Paco Wirz, third the previous day, had to make do with two fourths but maintained his third place overall.

Likewise in the youth fleet, Giuseppe Zeriolo (ITA-07) also took two bullets today. However, there was a little more competition between Daniel Blinnikka from Finland and Marcos Guidez from France who took a second and third each. Their positions remained the same as the day before on the leaderboard.

Even if the wind was reluctant to join the party, the hospitality at Windsurf Marina Julia was second to none and competitors and friends were certainly enjoying the atmosphere.

Conditions were far from perfect in Monfalcone on Day four, but there was always the fun factor which makes events like this memorable.

Patience paid off and later in the afternoon again two light wind races were sailed.

The leaders of the Masters and Youth Fleets - Pawel Gardasiewicz and Giuseppe Zerillo - seemed unbeatable, both revelling in these light wind conditions, winning every race, each with perfect scores.

In the youth fleet Daniel Blinnikka (FIN-5) had eight points in second place overall and Marcos Guedez (FRA-1010) was three points behind with 11. He would no doubt be cursing his OCS in the first of the day's races.

In the Masters Grandmaster Frank Spoettel from Germany had jumped past Italian Paco Wirz into second place on the leaderboard with his two seconds, pleased to be able to discard his first race of the event. It was the worst day of the event for Czech Radim Kamensky who had now slipped off the podium into fourth place.

Ceri Williams said, 'This is a good event, the club is well organised, very enthusiastic. Competitors are enjoying the event and there is still a chance there may be more wind for the end of the championship.'

However, the Raceboard Youth and Masters World Championships drew to a close at Windsurfing Marina Julia, Monfalcone with just one more race on the final day, making a total of 6 races to count.

Congratulations to champions Pawel Gardasiewicz (POL-102) and Giuseppe Zerillo (ITA-07), lightwind specialists, who both made it clear right from the start that they were in it to win it, taking bullets in every single race. Overall positions in the top three remained the same as the day before.

Lyrics of the famous song say 'we are the champions my friend' but the raceboard spirit dictates something more like 'these are the champions, my friends'.

There is no doubt this event will be remembered for its warmth - not only the weather but the hospitality, atmosphere and friendship amongst competitors. The race committee had done an excellent job in frustrating wind conditions and the hospitality of Windsurfing Marina Julia had been second to none and a whole lot of fun.

Masters:
First, Pawel Gardasiewicz (POL-102)
Second, Frank Spoettel (GER-114) - First Grandmaster
Third Paco Wirz (ITA-1911)

First Veteran and only Woman in the Masters Fleet was Maria Antonia Dominguez (ESP-011) - 12th overall first SuperVeteran (and oldest competitor at age 67) was Paco Manchon (ESP-009) - 15th overall

Youths:
First Giuseppe Zerillo (ITA-312)
Second Daniel Blinnikka (FIN-5)
Third Marcos Guedez (FRA-1010)

First (and only) female youth Ginevra Gabrielli - fourth overall