Double Gold for Aussies at Formula Windsurfing Worlds

by Sail-World/Media Services on 11 Sep 2006 The Formula Windsurfing World Championships in Gangneung city, Korea has finished successfully with the 2003 Mens World Champion Steve Allen and the 2005 Womens World Champion Allison Shreeve took the 2006 World titles.This is the first time both titles have been won by Australians in the same year.

Brisbane born 32 year old Allen now lives in Poland and has won World titles across the windsurfing spectrum while 24 year Alison Shreeve, who spent her teenager years in Port Macquarie NSW, was the defending World Champion this year, having come second in 2004.

Gangneung city put on one of the largest and most spectacular windsurfing events ever in Korea with live entertainment on the beach, an impressive opening and closing ceremony, and hundreds of volunteers which made the event very successful. Allison was Australia’s representative to participate in the ‘mixing of the waters’ ceremony that formed part of the opening celebrations.

Many discussions were made at the beginning of the regatta as to whether the women would race with the men. In the end it was decided to mix the fleets, despite the protesting of most of the women. With a sail size limit of 11m for girls and 12.5m for men, it made if very difficult for the women to get clear starts.

Most of the week sailors and officials were frustrated with light winds and the lack of races with only two of the six day event producing adequate racing conditions that allowed for only six races to be completed.

'I struggled because of the sail size limit and lack of wind, however all the girls were in the same position so in that regard it was still fair racing' said Allison.

After six races with one discard, Allison, won four of the races claiming the title from Yshie Ishinoda of Japan, with Sarah Herbert of France taking third place.

'I have contested three world titles in Speed, Slalom and Formula, and the pre Olympics in Beijing within the past month, so it was great to still come out on top and successfully defend my world title, despite being quite tired' said Allison.

Allison’s board broke after hitting a crab net in the fifth race and was forced to complete two races with a severely cracked nose on her board and broken fin box.

Although her speed was affected she still managed a first and a second in those races. 'I saw the net at the last second, and because I was on a wave about to gybe I didn’t have much power in my sail to avoid the net. I hit at full speed and catapulted over the front losing many places and breaking my board.

I was surprised that I could still sail the last two laps and the last race with some speed after such a bad crash' reported Allison.

Steve Allen led from Day one with some solid results in the light shifty races. With a one point lead all week, waiting for the wind became a battle with his nerves, and Ross Williams, Julien Quentel, and Antione Albeau breathing down his neck.

He commented, 'I was nervous but stayed focused and always prepared to race if the wind picked up. This was my main goal for the year so I'm stoked to win.' Ross Williams broke his fin during the second last race and ended up with two DNF's putting him almost out of the prize money from second to 15th place.

Julien Quentel and Antoine Albeau (the defending world champion) both from France came second and third respectively.

Light winds all week led to some controversial racing causing two competitors to leave the venue after the second day.

This created many discussions about future wind limits and class rules regarding board, fin and sail sizes which are yet to be resolved. ‘In the end, it was the people that didn’t give up, who endured to the end even in the trying conditions, who kicked a goal for sportsmanship and windsurfing in general’ said Allison, reflecting on the week that was.

Allison now makes her way to Italy for the RS: X Olympic class World Championships being held in Lake Garda, Italy from 20th-30th September, before heading home to Sydney.

GANGNEUNG 2006 FORMULA WINDSURFING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

South Korea, Gangneung City, 03-10 September 2006

Final results Mens Top 5

Place Competitor Sail No Sponsors L/H Cat. Year Points R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6

1 Steve Allen AUS-0 Benzacne,Gaastra,Tabou,Deboichet S 73 10 2 1 3 2 4 2

2 Julien Quentel FRA- 421 Neil pryde, Starboard, Deboichet, Kahonaa S 86 14 3 3 2 3 3 3

3 Antoine Albeau FRA-192 Neil Pryde,Starboard,Quicksilver,Ford Autovital,Deboichet S 72 16 8 6 4 4 1 1

4 Jesper Vesterstorm DEN-111 Ford Credit,Cottonfield,Certina,Neil Pryde,Starboard S 76 29 4 70 5 6 2 12

5 Nicolas Warembourg FRA-531 Gaastra,Tabou,Rip Curl,Select,OGS Voile,ENV,Partouche Casino S 81 35 9 9 11 5 8 4

Final results Womens Top 5

Place Competitor Sail No Sponsors L/H Cat. Year Points R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6

1 Allison Shreeve AUS-911 Neil Pryde,F2,Deboichet,Balance Water S 82 148 27 24 30 29 39 38

2. Yshie Ishinoda JPN-91 M 63 165 32 22 38 39 49 34

3. Sarah Herbert FRA-61 Naish,Starboard, Nautix, S 84 208 46 70 39 40 41 42

4. Agnieszka Pietrasik POL-19 Hydrosfera, Infinity, Dakari, Billabong, Starboard Y 90 261 49 70 51 47 44 70

5. Yun Hee Lim KOR-33  M 68 329 70 70 70 70 70 49