First international U23-champion in ISAF-class Kona One is crowned
by Daniel Nordlund on 28 Aug 2016
Kona fleet - First international U23 Championship in Kona One Joachim Larsson
After three days of racing the first international U23-champion in ISAF-class Kona One is crowned. After consistent sailing throughout the championship Dutchman Huig-Jan Tag managed to secure the gold medal. Silver medallist was Poland’s Marcin Urbanowicz who finished just ahead of Adam Holm from Sweden. Best female and fourth overall was Andrea Holm, also from Sweden.
The international championship took place on the waters outside Malmö which has hosted many international windsurfing events over the years. A total of 36 sailors from RS:X, Bic 293 and Kona One-classes competed during the three race days. The championship took place in tactical and demanding conditions.
The first day the winds shifted between 12 to 18 knots. The second day one race was started but had to be postponed due to low winds. Heavy thunders woke the racers the last day before the first race could be sent off in sunny and light wind conditions.
Huig-Jan Tag had an intense battle from the very start of the championship with the two other top contenders. Throughout the championship he demonstrated outstanding tactical and technical skills. He managed to hold on to the first position until the end with the following results (two)-(two)-(eight)-(one)-(one)-(three)-(one)-(six)-(two) and a net score of 18 points.
I feel very happy. It was super exiting racing, so intense and close. In the end it was all about tactics and no pumping. I also appreciated the different sail sizes used depending on body weight. I liked the very social and positive atmosphere and I will bring back a positive vibe, says Huig-Jan Tag.
Second in the championship was Polish RS:X-sailor Marcin Urbanowicz, only two points behind in the overall results.
This was a really nice event which I enjoyed greatly. The racing was very tactical and I had to pay attention to the rest of the fleet the whole time. The social aspect was a positive surprise. To meet all the people also off racing was great, says Marcin Urbanowicz.
Sweden managed to take third place thanks to Adam Holm, seven points behind the winner. Adam Holm has previously won both Kona Worlds and Kona Europeans and has been focusing on his Olympic campaign the last years.
It’s been great fun racing with my RS:X-friends in a different class built on different principles. The conditions were great but demanding. I am not completely satisfied with my result but I made it to the podium, says Adam Holm.
Kona One is one of the fastest growing windsurfing classes in the world and officially recognized by ISAF. It is a one design class where all sailors use identical boards and men and women compete together. The same sail is used in all conditions and sized according to weight, to give conditions which are as fair as possible. In this vein, it is also a non-pumping class. The championship in Malmö, Sweden, was the first international U23 Kona One-championship.
To see all smiling faces makes every effort worth it. It has been a privilege to host these young, talented and positive sailors from three different windsurfing classes in one international championship. We hope everyone takes great memories and the Kona spirit with them back home, says Björn Holm, event chairman.
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