JP Tobin & Hayley Thom take Barfoot Formula Boards

by Ray Smith on 15 Nov 2006 Top windsurfers JP Tobin and Hayley Thom have taken the 2006 Barfoot and Thompson International Formula Windsurfing National Championships staged at Manly, north of Auckland, over the weekend.

The 2006, Barfoot and Thompson, International Formula Windsurfing and Open Course Racing Championship took place over the weekend of Friday, 10 – Sunday, 12 November, at the Manly Sailing Club, Whangaparaoa. The regatta also catered for other classes as the Manly Windsurfing Championships.

Ray Smith of Whangaparaoa, who had competed alongside four other kiwis at the World Champs in Melbourne, last year and then Gangyuang, South Korea in September, organized the regatta. Stephen Wagstaff, the Commodore of the Manly Sailing Club, also assisted.

The Manly site was generally chosen as it’s such a beautiful beach. Apart from that, it is a non tidal location, launching is safe for boats and sailors, ample parking and rigging areas exist, the Manly Sailing Club is proficient at running large regattas and a clubhouse is available. Best of all, the bay location is exposed to Auckland’s predominant wind directions. It was also thought that November is generally a windy month and at this location and time of year, can also be subject to sea breezes. As it turned out, the sea breezes never featured.

A variety of sailors from various backgrounds and ages entered the regatta. Sailors of note were Sean O’Brien, the current Australian and Oceanic Formula Windsurfing Champion, John Paul (JP) Tobin of Torbay, who has been ranked worlds No, 1 in the Mistral Class, Luke Wigglesworth, who is predominantly a speed sailor but is also famous for his attempts at sailing from Auckland to Russell in the Annual Coastal Classic race, plus a few of the regular Auckland contingent. It was interesting to note that a number of young RS:X sailors also entered and transferred their skills to the Formula boards that they are not generally familiar with.

Barbara Kendall and Shayne Bright also entered the Regatta on their RS:X boards.

Unlike many regattas of years gone by, the forecast for the weekend looked promising with 25 knots forecast for Friday, 10 – 15 for Saturday and 25 knots, for Sunday. Four races were programmed per day with the final day to include a long distance race. On the basis of the forecast, a number of racers who had intended to compete but who prefer lighter winds, scratched from the event. Those that took the challenge were glad they did.

In the first two races on Friday morning, the west/south west wind was in the range of 20 – 30 knots, which for the afternoon races moderated slightly to 20 – 25knots. Sail sizes in the range of 8 – 10m were the order of the day. JP won all races, with second being taken by either, Sean, Luke Wigg. or Josh Nixon (of only 15 years of age) who is one to watch in the future. Ray Smith and Luke Watson also managed third placings on this day. A number of sailors thought better of competing in race number 2 and retired after race number 1, due to the relentless wind strength.

On the second day, the north west winds were light – moderate and also gusty for the morning’s racing before steadying up in the afternoon at 15 – 20 knots. Although a few competitors never recorded a finish in the first race due to selecting too small a sail, it was business as usual for JP with the exception of a second place to Sean O’Brien in race 8. Second placings on this day also went to Sean and Luke Watson, with third placings to Sean, Luke Watson and Nick Lichtwark.

On the final day, although bright sunshine was apparent, the north westerly was very fresh from the onset and by the end of the day had reached 25 knots, with gusts over 30. This was extreme sailing for the Formula boards and the long distance race planned was therefore cancelled, due to safety concerns.

Even so, another four course races were completed. JP took all four races with a 9.5, RS:X sail and an awesome display of how to handle these type of conditions. Second placings went to Sean and Luke Wigg, who was also revelling in the conditions with a Neil Pryde RS 8.3. Luke Wigg also scored third placings on this day along with Antonio Cozzolino.

In the RS:X class over the weekend, it was also notable that first place went to Shayne Bright in all but one race with Barbara Kendall a close second.

A prize giving was held at the end of the day with prizes handed out by local windsurfer, Mark Holliday of Barfoot and Thompson (Whangaparaoa) as the main sponsor. Spot prizes, generously donated by Naish New Zealand, Point Chev Sailboards and Waiwera Infinity were also distributed.

Feedback from sailors at the prize giving was all positive, in that that this had been the best regatta that many had sailed in for years, with many wanting to make this an annual event in some form or other.

Placings in the regatta for Formula Windsurfing are as follows.

1st Jon Paul Tobin
2nd Sean O'Brien
3rd Luke Wigglesworth

1st Master Luke Wigglesworth
2nd Master Luke Watson
3rd Master Ray Smith

1st Woman Hayley Thom

1st Youth Josh Nixon

1st Grand Master Rod Alexander

For a further report on this event from Australia's Sean O'Brien see: www.aus120.com/new/?p=47#more-47