US Windsurfing National Championship 2011 event preview

by David Wells on 11 Jul 2011 DoubleTree by Hilton at Berkeley Marina US Windsurfing National Championship 2011 fires off this year in Berkeley California's legendary sailing venue Olympic Circle from July 11th through to the 16th.

With strong steady winds, and the stunning backdrops of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco skyline, the radical windsurfing action at this year’s event should be a feast for the eyes.

While course racing and slalom racing are standard fare for ‘The Nationals’ this year’s organizers have decided to once again include the innovative Freestyle Windsurfing discipline right alongside the racing action. With competitors throwing big jumps and wild aerial tricks spectators will be astonished to witness the progression windsurfing has experienced in the last few years. The Freestyle contest will be held closer to the main Berkeley sailing venue ensuring spectators have front row seats for all the action

Hosting club, The Berkeley Yacht Club, has rolled out the red carpet and competitors and spectators alike should expect windsurfing competition at the highest level. Amongst the confirmed competitors are multiple past World and National Champions from across South America, New Zealand, Europe and beyond. Top pro and defending overall US National Champion Phil McGain will be back to try to bookend his 2010 win with a 2011 title. Doing so will not be an easy task with the likes of Wilhelm Schurmann, Seth Besse, and Xavier Ferlet all gunning for the title.

Course racing will be featured in the heart of San Francisco Bay in the infamous Olympic Circle so named for hosting the US Olympic Trials and a series of buoys that were set in a circle (pictured below) to allow for racing in any wind direction. The event also features a long distance race that sends the sailors on a 20 mile tour across San Francisco Bay and of course the high speed action of downwind slalom racing.

One component that makes this event so special is the fact that registration to race is open to all. Top Pro’s will be lining up against ordinary Joes looking for glory. Race organizers have even coordinated a reduced entry fee for competitors who only want to race slalom or compete in freestyle or even both without competing in the Course Racing discipline. So if you ever wanted to line up with some of the world’s best windsurfers this is your best chance.

Registration opens Monday July 11th with the racing kicking in to gear on Tuesday July 12th and we will be bringing you daily updates on all the action right here on Sail World.