RS-One World Champions decided in Boracay

by International Windsurfing (As Amended by ISAF) on 20 Dec 2012 At the climax of the inaugural RS:One World Championship in Boracay, Philippines, the world champions have been determined in what has been a tantalising week of racing. Three last day races, with no discards in play, meant no one could afford to let the pressure get to them and make a mistake. No one did.

The closest results emerged from the Women's fleet where Hei Man Chan (HKG) put in a storming performance in the final race to take the bullet. However eventual RS:One World Champion Marina Alabau (ESP) stayed with Chan throughout the race to take the championship by two points. Great Britain's Bryony Shaw rounded off the podium with a comfortable 33 point margin between her and fourth place.

Geylord Coveta's (PHI) performance in the final race of the series was his worst, nonetheless a string of bullets to open the regatta set him on his way to the title. The Philippine finished eight points clear of Chang Hao from Taiwan and Japan's Yuta Nagano took third.

The overnight leaders in the Espoir Men's (under 22 ) fleet had mixed fortunes on the final day as their dominant sailing that was prevalent at the start of the week went missing. An eighth and a fourth place in the final two races by gold medallist Chun Ting Lee (HKG) could have seen him lose the lead if runner-up Lok Yiu To (HKG) had been on the ball. Like Ting Lee, Yiu To was off the pace and unable to convert on the potential opening. Home favourite Yancy Kaibigan took the final podium spot.

In what was an epic week of racing all divisions started together on the 'pulsar' course - with short 8-10 minute races, a reaching start followed by downwind slalom and a final beat to windward. The mass start was close to the beach, as was the finish, affording spectators a great view of an easy to follow race.

With the strong tropical breeze the race committee tried for the first time slalom racing over a 'figure of 8' course set as close to the beach as possible with exciting racing and some spectacular 'wipe-outs' thrown into the Full ISAF International Windsurfing website