Tornado World Championship - September 23, 2002

by Doug Grabe on 24 Sep 2002 The Exact Software 2002 Tornado World Championship began racing today at Martha's Vineyard. Unfortunately, no races were completed.

Moderate morning southerly winds were were accompanied by series of showers and a few thunderstorms approaching from the west that kept the fleet ashore until noon. When the fleet headed out onto the race course, it was met with diminishing winds that refused to trend left (as predicted).

Instead, after two General Recalls the fleet got away into dying breeze that ultimately veered into the west northwest before collapsing altogether.

The lead boats managed to start up the lap before the Race Committee abandoned the race for lack of wind. The Race Committee diligently tried to get a new race underway, but it was not to be today.

The 57 boat fleet representing 5 continents and 20 countries, is particularly deep with talent and accomplishments. Here is a partial list of the competitors:

Nuno Baretto POR 1996 Olympic Bronze Medallist 470

Billie Besson FRA 1999 World Champion Hobie 16 - Youth

Mitch Booth NED 2000, 2001, 2002 World Champion Formula 18

AUS 1996 Olympic Silver Medallist Tornado

AUS 1994 World Champion A-Class

AUS 1992 Olympic Bronze Medallist Tornado

AUS 1989, 1992 World Champion Tornado

Nils Bunckenberg GER 1999, 2000 World Champion A-Class

Darren Bundock AUS 2000 Olympic Silver Medallist Tornado

AUS 1998, 2001 World Champion Tornado

Herbert Dercksen NED 2000, 2001, 2002 World Champion Formula 18

Carlos Espinola ARG 2000 Olympic Silver Medallist Mistral

Enrique Figueroa PUR 1994 World Champion Hobie 16

John Forbes AUS 2000 Olympic Silver Medallist Tornado

AUS 1992 Olympic Bronze Medallist Tornado

AUS 1989, 1992, 1998, 2001 World Champion Tornado

Lars Guck USA 1990 World Champion 10sq Metre
USA 2002 North American Champion A-Class

Roman Hagara AUT 2000 Olympic Gold Medallist Tornado

AUT 1987, 1999 World Champion Tornado

Andrew Landenberger GER 1996 Olympic Silver Medallist Tornado

Goran Marstrom SWE 1980 Olympic Bronze Medallist Tornado

2001 Great Grand Master World Champion A-Class

Hugo Rocha POR 1996 Olympic Bronze Medallist 470

Hans-Peter Steinacher AUT 2000 Olympic Gold Medallist Tornado
2000 World Champion Tornado

Hans Wallen SWE 1996 Olympic Silver Medallist Star