2010 Starboard Severne US Windsurfing National Championships Day 2

by David Wells on 22 Jul 2010 Day 2 of the Starboard Severne US Windsurfing National Championships and Formula North Americans saw the assembled sailors greeted with more wind and more cold than day one.

The first day of the event wrapped with a party hosted by event sponsor Sports Basement. And what a sponsor they are! A never ending flow of hors d'oeuvres platters and continuously refilled beer coolers were served up with an extra 20% discount for the fleet of shoppers. (Pictured my long lost brother Wilhelm Schurmann as we rehydrate for the next day's racing courtesy Sports Basement, Photo credit Doc Doolittle)

Day 2 Started with event sponsor Maui Sails hosting a seminar for the juniors with windsurfing ambassador Phil McGain serving up the accumulated Slalom and Course racing tips & tricks of his years of sailing experience.

With the tides set to flood almost all day long the fleet was ready for an easier day of racing after a bruising round of four races the day prior. The wind however was not going to let them rest easy and had picked up 3-5mph across the entire course for a 20 knot breeze across the bay. Thanks to event sponsor Wind Alert you can see the forecasted and previous days wind conditions on the official event page at the bottom.

The start of race one saw Aurelien Le Metayer pick up right where he left off; starting on port and leading the fleet around the first windward mark. The increased wind speed seemed to definitely help the locals get on their game however and F4 Fins (an official event sponsor) Chris Radkowski was leading the charge. Radkowski, and his magical new F4 BB 67 fin, rounded in second place with Paolo dos Reis right on his tail. Wilhelm Schurmann rounded in fourth with another local sailor Al Mirel (also sailing the BB Fin) in fifth. Notably Phil McGain was completely buried at the start and seemingly out of it as he rounded outside the top 10. McGain however is not one to give up easily and as he rounded the windward mark he absolutely put the hammer down. Sailing deep and fast by the time he rounded the leeward mark he had picked up 6 maybe 7 boards and was now all of the sudden in contention.

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Correcting a mistake from yesterday's report Paolo dos Reis was not on 11.0 yesterday but rather 12.0! He again took the 12 off the beach for race one and he was simply blazing downwind but also clearly struggling up wind in the bigger breeze. In what is no doubt the performance of the regatta so far McGain continued picking off the leaders one by one till he was all done. From deep in the fleet to first place it was simply a spectacular demonstration of sailing and testament to McGain's never say die approach to racing not to mention the speed of his Maui Sails XT 10.0 Starboard kit. dos Reis held on for second place, Schurmann took third, and Le Metayer had to settle for fourth.

San Francisco Bay is known for chewing up and spitting out some of the most seasoned sailors. The fleet of junior sailors at this year's event however came prepared and are dishing it right back. Starting on the same line as the rest of the fleet they are showing that the future of American Formula sailing is a bright one. Just finishing races in these challenging conditions is a serious accomplishment and these kids are not just finishing they are excelling.

In the Junior 8.5 max sail division Ben Grodner (USA 1618 Salt Lake City, Utah) is sailing a near perfect regatta with 7 bullets in 8 races. Perhaps even more impressive is the performance of the divisions two girl's entries Alyson Fromm (USA 015, Seattle, Washington) and Fiona Wylde (F 11, Hood River, Oregon) both of whom have finished every single race and are engaged in a battle that has them separated by only one point after seven races. I can testify first hand that these kids are legit contenders. In one race I wass lit up on port tack and locked in battle with Mike Percy (USA VYV Hansen Sails also an event sponsor). We are both pushing as hard as we can to the finish line and that's when I hear a fierce, albeit high pitched, 'STARBOARD'! As I peer to my right I here comes Fiona Wylde who had called the perfect lay line to the finish and she has me totally covered. I am forced to take her stern and it hands the race to Percy. Nice job Fiona – that's racing!

In the Junior division Chris Gardiner (7, St Petersburg, Florida) is mixing it up with the big boys. Day 2 saw Gardiner post three straight top 20 finishes 17-17-16 to lead the division and has him sitting in 21st place overall. Cullen Ahern (USA 163, Clear Water Florida) also got in the action posting a 19th place in race 6 and sits in second place while Jay Watermeyer (US 45,Hood River, Oregon) is in third. With talent this strong the adults better be watching their backs the remainder of the regatta as it's likely these three running them down.

As the gun fired for race two Phil McGain was off like a shot. He rounded the mark in first place with Le Metayer, Dos Reis, and Schurmann in the chase in that order. dos Reis had finally called ‘uncle' and put the 12.0 away bypassing the 11.0 and heading straight to his 10. With all 4 sailors on 10's it was going to be a racers race.

Unfortunately for Schurmann his harness hook broke just as he rounded the weather mark on lap 2 sending him in to the water. Sailing without a hook was simply not an option causing Schurmann to retire. dos Reis, now sailing the more optimal sail size, was out to revenge his race 2 loss to McGain and that's just what he did taking the bullet with McGain in second. Le Metayer rounded out the podium.

Race three saw the fleet first sitting on ice for 30 minutes while they waited out a few incoming freighters. After getting a little rest from his early retire in race 2 Schurmann was fresh and chomping at the bit. Sailing a near flawless race Schurmann broke through for his first bullet of the regatta while dos Reis took second and McGain came in third.

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For More Photos and Full Results http://www.waterhound.com/us-windsurfing-national-championships-and-formula-north-americans-day-2-report.html