WINDSURFING BY AMADO VRIESWIJK

After a lot of years no windsurfing-action on Curacao, they organised this great event held a "Wet and Wild" from the 9th till the 13th of April 2009

EVENT-SITE:

http://www.curacaochallenge.com

The team of Bonaire shipped their gear with Don Andres from Bonaire to Curacao . We all stayed at the fantastic Kontiki Beach Resort , which is very close to the event-site.

Day 1 : April 9

The first day of the event started of with the usual registration for all who wanted to participate, 85 windsurfers from Bonaire, Curacao, U.S, Holland registered from: Rookies, Junior, Sports, Women and Open Men. On that same day we had a quick skippers meeting plus a welcome speech from the organizers and the day ended with a small party as the wind prediction was good for the next day. Everyone was truly looking forward to start racing the next day and went early to bed.

DAY 2: April 10^th

Skippers meeting began at 9 O’clock. The race director decided to make an 8 figure slalom because the sea bottom is about 600 meter deep and it was to much work to adjust more jibe marks. The first possible start was at 10 o'clock.

We raced 3 heats. I used my Starboard I-sonic 87 and my Hot Sails Maui GPS 6.0. The wind was perfect and even though we had some gusts all went very smooth, except my finish in the first heat. Jurgen and I took the lead in the first heat , but we both misunderstood the procedure at the finish. I finished at the 5th place but made it up in the next 2 two heats when I won both of them easily.

DAY 3: April 11^th

9 o’clock Skipper meeting for all sailors

Today’s race was 15 mile down wind Long Distance race for all classes. We went from "Wet and Wild"-beach to Marriot Hotel.

10 o’clock first race started of with the Juniors
10:10am second start of the day for the Women.
10:15 am third start of the day for the Sports
10:20 fourth start for the Men.

Wind 22–26 knots on average 20 knots.

It was fun, exciting and a lot of experience and SPEED!!!!. My start went very well and soon I left everybody far behind me. The sea was very choppy with big hollow swells in between. In order not to be disqualified you had to jibe around the boat so they could confirm name and sail numbers. From the control-boat I went straight to the beach near Marriot Hotel. When I arrived first I had to touch the Curacao Challenge pick-up truck to finish my Long- Distance heat. It took me about 25 minutes.

The day was ended with a 30 minutes freestyle show session for the public.Kiri, Sara Quita , Taty and 3 others from Curacao gave a great show.

Results from the Long distance race:
Men:
1^st Taty Frans (Bonaire) Mauisails, Starboard

Mini Junior:
1^st Amado Vrieswijk (Bonaire) Hotsails, Starboard

Junior:
1^st Felix (Martina) Hotsails,

Women:
1^st Monique Meijer (Bonaire) Northsails, Starboard.

Day 4: 12^nd April,

The day started with a skipper meeting at 10 o’clock.
Wind was pretty light 18–20 knots , the sea very choppy and the forecast was looking to be great in the afternoon.

We raced two heats and I won them both.

Then went back to the beach for a lunch break. (MMMMM..... Mc Donalds)

At 2 o’clock the afternoon-heats started for the Junior, Sports and women and after that follow by the men. 3 heats were raced back to back for all categories and with the wind picking up to a steady 20knots it was looking great. Again I won all 3 heats, so no pressure at all.

Day 5: April 13

The last day of the event and the race director was fully on to make 4 slalom races plus to finish before 2 o’clock, as the wind was a good steady 20knots.

Again I won all heats, and I am looking forward to compete in the next age-group from now on.