Freezing in the fourties - Freewave Round 1

Earliest start for a windsurfing contest ever! After looking really dubious all week the forecast pulled it together at the last minute to produce close to all time conditions at Lyall Bay. Wind was cross onshore at about 25 - 30 knots, waves were clean and chunky logo high.

The only downside was that it was fricken freezingly miserable. At 8 am it was 5 degrees on the beach, accompanied by horizontal sleet. When the cloud eventually cleared the surrounding hills were covered in snow.

Amazingly about 15 sailors dragged themselves away from their heat pumps to kick off the first freewave of the year. Because it was so miserable, instead of running through a series of heats, we had one heat followed by a five man final. I managed to squeak a second place out of it despite some pretty average wave sailing and letting some perfectly good jumps go on the landings. I blame the cold.

Clayton's solid wave-riding gave him the win. Clayton is such a naturally gifted sailor wave sailing onshore conditions better than most sail perfect cross shore conditions.

1. Clayton Dougan

2. James Court

3. Chris Norris

4. Troy Purcell

5. Tim Bamford

One of the best things about this contest was the exposure that Tim Haxwell and Willy Davenport (wind & kite) managed to organise. The top photo is of Chris Norris mid back loop featured in Wellington's daily newspaper the Dom Post.

Also check out the Wildwinds site for some great pictures from Dave McPhee. Respect to Willy and Dave for risking their fingers and equipment in the conditions.