Caribbean Foiling Championships Day 2: High stakes and fierce winds
by Caribbean Foiling Championships 10 Dec 2023 11:30 AEDT
December 8-10, 2023
On December 9th, the second race day of the event unfolded amidst challenging conditions. The scheduled Around Tintamarre Race was canceled due to high winds and substantial swell, prioritizing the safety of all competitors. Patrick Pechoux, the Race Officer, stated, "We cannot guarantee the safety of all competitors in these conditions; therefore, we will refrain from going Around Tintamarre."
Rest assured, the day was filled with numerous races, including seven course races for Wind- and Wingfoil participants and six races for the kitefoilers. As the Tintamarre Race served as a qualifier for the upcoming Around the Island Race scheduled for the following day, the Race Committee will individually assess all cases to determine the participants' skill levels.
With over 45 competitors, foilers from all around the Caribbean participated. Aurelie Garreau (St. Barths, Kitefoil Pro) summed up the day, saying, "These conditions are quite tough, and with my 11-meter kite, I feel quite overpowered. I gave it a try; this is powerful!"
Clément Jeanjean (Guadeloupe, Windfoil Pro) happily headed to the beach, anticipating a well-deserved sandwich provided by Le Petit Casino. He explained, "This morning I came in second in all races. I hope to make a comeback with the races after lunch. These high-wind conditions are great to practice skills and strategy. Let's go!"
The excitement is palpable as all classes are going full force on the course, set in crystal-clear waters and near enough to the beach for a spectacular spectator view from shore.
The competition is fierce in the battle for first place in the Wingfoil Pro Class. Anthony Smith (Martinique) shared his excitement, saying, "It is great, the conditions are amazing, and Orient Bay is a wonderful location to foil! In the last races, I fell twice, in the same spot, for no reason, but I hope I can afford the mistake."Manuel - Kiko - Dalmau (Puerto Rico) chimed in, "Because of Anthony's mistake, I finally made it to come in third." He added jokingly, "Very good for the sportsmanship spirit of the event, Anthony!"
The day concluded with a delightful beach BBQ supported by Amstel Bright. Gilles Corbien (St. Martin, Wingfoil Leisure) expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "I love this event, the spirit of camaraderie, and like-minded people. I wish we had more of this!"
Tomorrow, the Around the Island Race will take place, with the kite- and windfoil groups making a full circle around the island to beat the current record of 1 hour, 12 minutes, and 17 seconds. The Wingfoil Class will finish their race halfway, going from Orient Bay to Baie Longue, where they will be greeted at Belmond - La Samanna.
The Prize Giving ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, December 10, 2023, at 3 PM. For anyone interested in joining, please feel free to attend the celebration and enjoy an ice-cold Amstel Bright at Club Wind Adventures.