Kona Windsurfing Worlds is about to kick-off in Florida

by Daniel Nordlund on 27 Oct 2016 The 2016 Windsurfing World Championship in the Kona Class is about to start in Islamorada, Florida, and the weather forecast will test the mettle of all competitors. The event has nearly 110 racers pre-registered, from five continents, making it the largest Kona event ever. Racing will run from Saturday, October 29 to Wednesday, November 2. The pedigree of the competitors this year is truly impressive.

Kona history will be well represented, with the Swedish legend Bjorn Holm coming to defend his title. A past-Olympian, Bjorn already has three world championships to his name in the Kona Class, including last year in Holland. He has the experience, but admits that “in the strong breeze, (his son) Adam is faster than me.” Adam Holm is a professional windsurfer who just wrapped up an Olympic campaign and who, at the young age of 22, already has both a European title and World title in Kona. Adam, however, was defeated this summer by young Dutchman Huig-Jan Tak at the inaugural U23 Kona One Championships in Sweden. Like Adam, Huig-Jan has honed his skills on the Olympic circuit, and will be a force to reckon with in Islamorada. Adam’s younger sister Andrea is also mentioned with respect. She has won medals in Kona Europeans and was close to winning the Worlds two years ago.

There are quite a few contenders on this side of the Atlantic too. Tom Pace, a fixture on the international professional racing circuit for years, rekindled his love for one-design racing at this very location two years ago, and is coming to the event this year, having just won the 2016 Gulf Coast Championships in Clearwater, Florida this past weekend! Two instructor legends will also be in attendance: Britt Viehman, who is also the reigning Kona North American champion, and Andy Brandt, the all-around guru and master tricktionarist. And the youngster to watch is 15-year old Noah Lyons, who finished on the podium in Clearwater last week and is praying for wind. Looking at the forecast, his prayers might very well be answered.

“We welcome every racer and their friends and families to Islamorada!” says event chairman Michael Fox. “This is going to be a memorable event, not just for the racing, but also to bring the international Kona family together.”

Sanctioned by World Sailing, Kona One is one of the fastest-growing windsurfing classes in the world today, attracting both young talents and experienced sailors with long windsurfing careers. It is a one-design class where all sailors use identical boards. One sail is used in all conditions, and its size is a function of the sailor’s body weight—making it possible for everyone to race together. Pumping isn’t allowed in this class of windsurfing, placing the emphasis on true sailing skills and tactics.

The event is hosted by the Islander Resort in Islamorada, in the famed Florida Keys. The opening ceremony and welcome party will take place on Friday, Oct 28 at 6pm. Racing is due to start at 10am on Saturday, October 29, and conclude with a prize-giving banquet at 6:30pm on November 2.