DOWN UNDER AUSTRALIA- Perth WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2011

A long trip, 4 continents: 4 planes, 4 airports in arrived at my final destination for this year Perth- Australia.

I'm here for the World Championship in the RSX class and the first step I have to make to qualify my country and of course at the same time myself for the Olympics being held in London 2012.

This is the biggest sailing event in the world and the biggest event in the world with the most countries taking part. There are over 1200 sailors with only 285 spots for London!!!

3rd december- I went earlie in the morning to the venue to see where it was and where everything was going to be located. Lucky we did as we got the registration very quick done.

After we took the special shuttle and had a little tour along the other boat areas, then we stopped at the RSX side where we found the RX guy who had my rented gear. And again luck as I was aloud to take the gear one day earlier to prepair everything like stickers, harnass lines footstraps etc. Only the mast was going to arrive later.

At 17.18 I was official sceduled but Bruno from mearment told me I could come earlier if I wanted so I did, perfect.

4th december- Today I also received the mast. So after checking all my gear I decided to test it on the water. It was in beginning a bit strainges but then I got used to the equipment and I was testing and practising with the others. I even took part in a prcatise race with I guess 35 poeple, men and women together. Of course it was for me a little difficuilt to see where the course was and what was the best side to go to but was good to be out there with other people. After an hour I returned back to the beach as didn't want to get to tiered and it was straing to rain and wind completly dropped.

Back on the shore Luca had my flag for in the sail so after cleaning everything we stickered the flag in the sail and I was ready for the races tommorrow.

I don't know yet in wich fleet I'm but for sure I will not start before the 12.30 as the first start will be at that time. There will be about 80 women so we start in two seprate groups each day.

5th december-Today will be the first day off racing. I'm feeling a little bit nervous. It's suchs a big event with so many good sailors. There are 70 femal windsurfers defided in two fleets. One yellow fleet and a blue fleet. First the yellow fleet will start and doing both races and then the blue fleet. I'm in the blue fleet, so will start about 14.30 today. Both fleet got the AP flag up so we where on prospone.
30 minutes after the orignal starting time of the first feleet the flag went down and the women in this fleet had 30 minutes to get to the start. Some where on very late but recovered in the race. For me was nice to watch the other girls to see wich side they where choosing but also where the marks where etc. While the first fleet was racing there second race I was prepairing my gear and not much later also our prospone flag went down.

I'm in good position at the starting line for race 1 second from the starboat...

........and I continue after a good start in a good position.

Today races where mimimum planning conditions. So we had daggerboard down to get upwind and to go down wind we pushed it up. Special the top could plane all the way I had some trouble to keep the board going. 

The second race I had a bad start I did my daggerboard to late down and wasn't going in once so spent to much time on that, then it was hard to catch up with the rest. But was happy I made both races on time to the finish line, with even en slalom in the last race and didn't see it on the startboard so bit suprised about that.

I still have to improve so much, many things tactic's and tecnics but now here to compete against the best in the World.

6th december- I woke up already in the night and heard outside the rain against the window so wasn't promising nice weather, but when it was time to go to the venue it was even worse, thunder and lightning. I rigged anyway as was now in the first group Blue, but at 13.30 o clock the organisation decided to sent us home as the forecast wasn't promising any better in the rest of the day.

So that was it for today. For tommorrow they told me to check the notice board online as they might do three races to catch up, so we will see.

7th december- Yes, it was true three races for today. Again in the Blue fleet but now we had to race back to back so after the Blue fleet it was the Yellow fleet and so on. The start was crazy close to shore and the rest was on daggerboard I tried to get in panning but was loosing a bit in the angle, but was going around the mars aand was realy supprised I finished this race 8,45 behind number one.

The second race I saw the msot girls going to the pinside during the starting time and because for me more space also to do my starts I went there to, even if that side is not always good for me. I did well start. On the way I had some spinouts going on starboard side and was few times out of controle as the wind got much stronger. I id not make it on time.

The third race of the day I had again a start on pinside bit late but was in the middle of the grouo and could hold my angle and speed all the way to the upwind mark, from there i made many mistakes and had trouble at the end with my harness line so had to give up. Was bit said about this but at least I tried.

Tommorrow again three races but now in the silver fleet.

Heineken regatta Curacao 2011

11th november - I had the plane with Insel air to Curacao for the Heineken Regatta, wich is held each year in the centre of Willemstad.

The trip went very smooth. I stayed in San Marco hotel in Punda close to the event area. In the evening we had some drinks in town with friends.

12th november- at the breakfast table I met some of my friends from Aruba they here for judging and the commentator. I arrived a bit late at the event side but was funny as being there the last I was the first one ready to go on the water. It seems it much better organized this year for the windsurfers at Mariachi. There where big tents, chairs and table to st on, drinks all day long and in between the races a lunch.

After the skippers meeting we started to race.

I was on my Olympic set, so the one design 8.5m2 sail. I was hoping the weather wasn't going to be crazy as the forecast was saying. 

The starts went pretty well and all the time I could keep my speed going up wind to the mark. The racing boards had to go much father out on the sea as I was pointing higher with the longer fin. I was not using the daggerboard as wanted to train the planning conditions in not to crazy wind.

We had in total 3 races on Saterday and I won every single race in my catogory.

In the evening we went all to the big stage where some famous stars wher to there performance. 

13th of November- I woke up and when I looked out of the window I saw it was raining outside. Not nice. At the eventside they told me they wanted to waite with the starts as it was also thunder and lighting what was dangerous to go out. 

At 12.00 o' clock it was clearing up a bit and we had to start. First the open class and then followed by the formula class. I had a good start and together with Milan we where going all the way to the upwind mark in once as the wind changed a bit. On the way back we where far in front of the rest and when I started to pump a little bit I even made a big distance to Milan, so passed the finsh line as first from all the catogories. Then the wind died completly so some of the boys returned back before rounding the mark. After that the wind never came back so this was the only race we did this day.

In the evening it was the price giving at the Heineken venue. 

I received a nice trophy and a very nice Kabhoe watch!

I want to thank all the people involved organizing in the regatta and who made ithappen for us to race and many thanks to the people who improved the windsurfcompetion at Mariaci.

Also thanks to my sponsors: Insell Air, Bon Bida Bonaire and Aquaspeed who made it possible for me to take part in this regatta.

 

PANAM Games Gaudalajara (Sailing Puerte Vallarte)

On 7th of October my travel to Puerte Vallarte – Mexico started. It means 4 planes and  more then 24 hours traveling, with a hotel in Curacao.

8th of October -Evrything went pretty well, even had a crazy taxi drive to Adventure sport Miami for spare parts of my equipment, sadly they didn’t had all I needed. In Mexico city the Organisators of the PANAM games waited for all the athletics and helped them with filling in forms and passing all the lines, very nice.
At Puerte Vallarte aiport it was a bit diffrent, first there was someone who was there to check you on the list but After the coach of Chili and coach of Guatamala told to find there own transport it was also my turn to take everything out of the bus and find my own way and hotel at night.

At the end the police organzied a cheap but nice hotel for only 200 peso a night what comes to 15 $ a night and next to Sheraton in down town Puerte Vallarte.

They even brought me to there as one of them had a big pick up where all the gear went in.

9th of October- Today I woke up bit late as was so tiered from all the travelings the last days.

I decided to have a big breakfast in the hotel and after I took the bus to the marina to see where the venue was going to be.

At the marina nobody knew anything about the PANAM games, so I started to walk around and not much later I saw a big shopping mall. Here I stayed for a while to see on the internet where to go etc. And found out it was not going to be at the marina but at the Yacht club much higher to the north, so decided to go back to the hotel and instead of taking the bus I walked back first along the road and not much later on the beach.

In the evening I met the guy of the hotel and we went in down town for a drink, not much later we met the mexican’s who just fisnished there National championship. We went together to a Cuban bar, after some drinks and dancing everyone went back home, also me.

10th of October.- After a nice long sleep I had breakfast in the hotel and after 1,5 hour waiting Demita and Adrean picked me up from the hotel, they took me and the gear to the venue what was almost one hour drive, crazy. At the venue I used had my gear on the spot when they told me to move it all inside because of the hurican warning.

In the mean time Federico one of the Mexican sailors I met a year ago and since seen a couple of times he organzied a place to saty at his grandmother’s house for the night as nobody could explain me where the village hotel was.

So I got a biscilce to wonder around and to have my own time, to go back to the house.
It was funny as I met the people only for few minutes in restaurant and then arrived at there house. After a good shower we watch some tv and tried some confersations as was difficuilt with the Language, me not speaking sapnish and tehy not spekaing English anyway at the end we manged some.

I went earlie to bed as was so tiered

11th of October

Federico picked me up at 9.00 to go to the venue and from there to the hotel.
As now I knew there was going to be transport.
There was still warning for the hurican so couldn’t do much at the venue anyway.

They told me at 10.00 would be a bus. I think it was almost 11 am when it finaly arrived. In the hotel a 5 star everything went pretty smooth. Martin the coach from Ard and Phillipine was ther just at the desk, so was nice.
I got my accrediation and from there my hotel room, very nice looking towards the sea.

In afternoon we did some gym and after I went to the shopping mall to wonder around a bit.

12th of October

Today

13th of October

Today I had measerment. After moving everything out the shelter and checking the board I noticed my board was in not so nice shape. I seen many holes all around the edge. I tried to make a start on the repairing but gave up after a while. Today I had the measerment, so first went to do that again moving the stuff from one place to the other. I was happy Russell was helping me. At the measerment they told me I had to take all my advertising. I din't like as some I like because they say Bonaire. Anyway I kept the big flag of the Antilles in the sail.

The rest was fine all the numbers and years of the material where oke. Then I found someone after a while who was whilling to help me with my board just he had to go out first so i waited all the time couldnt do much just a bit prepairing with marking the spots and sandpaper the board. Just when the last bus was arriving the guy came with the epoxy. I just told him quick where to fix the board and then I run to catch the last bus back to the hotel. 

Many holes....:-(

Measerment

14th of October- Today me and Russell wher egoing to the opening ceremonie in Guadalajara. The bus supposed to leave at 8 am but at the end it was 11am from the Paradasie village hotel. It was a 5 hour drive, but waswas for sure an amazing thing to do. When we arrived we met Remco, our Chef de Mision from the Antilles Hollandaises. He toook us to the dininghall where we got food and drinks before going to our room's. I was sharing the room with the coach of the teakwando and Russell with the guys who do swimming.

When we where settled in our room's we had to go outside with the whole team and after a while waiting we walked to the big stadium. When we entred the stadium it was amazing 50.000 people cheering for us. After we did the full round we had to sit down and waite for all the other countries to get in also, it was great. Then started the big show, with many singers and dancers, also some speeces even from the presiden of Mexico. At the end an atleth started the flame of the games. Beautifull, I never would have liked to miss this great openening.

15th of October- It was already time to go back to our venue in Puerte Vallarte. We woke up quite earlie had some quick breakfast and went to the buses. They told us to be there at 8 a.m but I think after checking what the other people did (they took the plane back) we finaly left around 10.00 o clock. 
It was crazy the busdriver with his big touring car bus had to drive us Russell and me back. Then Russell told him while we where waiting that I had an important race today, so he drove faster then he supposed to do and so we arrived after 4 hours. I was happy as now I had time to see what was going on with my board. To tel the true not much. It was still on the same spot where I left it and still one big hole there. So Oscar the coach from Cuba saw my problem and helped me a lot we worked another 3 hours on my board to close the big hole but also to make the surface realy nice and smooth. Again I wasn't able to go on the water as the board had to dry again. :-( But for sure it will be oke for tommorrow, the practise race.

16th of October- today was for me the first day I finaly could go on the water. It was a bit funny to get out of the harbour there wasn't so muchs wind at the current was pushing you back in so you had to play a lot to get out. Also many tacs as it was upwind. Anyway I made it, then I got a ride from MArtin with the coach boat to the starting area. We also picked up Philipine and Ard.
There was almost no wind so even for the practise race the prospone flag was up. After I think one hour waiting and looking a bit to the current, position of the marks, Adrian the coach of Demita MEX called us all together and so we started all together men and women. Not to waiste our time in the hot sun.
A little bit after they also started official the  practise race but we where after the first mark going "home".
Back on the shore it was a little challange also to get back on the pier so I decided to swim the last meters, not nice when you see sings with don't trough food in the water because of alligators....
I cleaned the gear and went back to the hotel.

17th of October

18 of October. Today we had the prospone flag on shore so we could waite in the shade and not on the full sun and no wind on the water. 

At 13.35 the flag went dwn and i had exacly 40 min to get to the start, I had everything ready so in 5 minutes i was in the channel try to get out. I was 14.00 hour at the start and a bit later we got prospone there.

Then we where racing not much after. I was for the first time on the line and not sure if i was OCS or not. I saw USA and BRA making a round back at the starting line but i took the risk. MEX came from portside what wasn’t great.
I continue racing and was rounding the marks all in last but becuase of the bad start of most it was very close together this time. It was very light wind, it was good we had some gust at the end of the course otehrwise we never would had made it in target time....but i finished.

Martin came with some water and food but had to leave quick again.

Then my second start it was more wind then otehr races so i tied a bit the sail but still on dagger board.  I massed realy up at the start. I got stuck behind the startboat and even my board made a 360 turn while I didn’t want to the rest already far ahead I tried to keep up and somehow I got a lift on the right sde of the course that I made i talmost in once to the leeward mark and was supriced to see all the others around me and even crossing CUB- ARG and CAN. At the Leeward I even round before ARG and CUB. Then it was bit mass, I had hard time to get into planning but finaly did but was already passed by the other too, Downwind I could plan nice and finnsihed full speed over the line, was a nice feeling after all the pumping.

Third race was crazy after so long and hot day already. It was very light again.  The hobbies and the RSX men where already finsihed and went back to the harbour. We got some time to recover and then it was us again. I had a very safe start not so good but fors ure no OCS and no DQF. Again I was passing some of the others. This time ARG and CUB, big suprice as don’t eeven know how i did. At the mark again very close so gets better each race. Because of the realy light wind we made a very long course It took me almost 55 min in the crazy hot sun and hardly was able to stand straight on my legs after my finsh but I did and in time behind the first, but wondering if this rce was counting.

Back in the hotel I had nice shower dinner and a meeting with Ricardo as he was helping me ons ome questions of today. The starts and some wind directions.

19th of october

20st of October

Today was the lay day and we had already the 6 race we had to do, we had a day of. I went together with Russell, Remco and Martin to the beach volleybal games at down town Puetre Vallarte.

We watched two games and then we took a taxi back to the hotel. Remco had to check out and I didn’t want to sit in the full sun all day even if the beacvolley was goin gto be very intresting later in teh day.

 I stayed in my room for a while to relaxe and at 1400 hour we had lunch together and I had a meeting with Remco about my goal etc.

Later I have been watching a bit tv playing on internet etc. It was a real relaxing day.

21st of October
Today we had again a racing day. 

22nd of October

23rd of October
Medail race. As I as not in the top 5 I wasn't able to take part in the medail race. I went in the monring to pack all my bags ready for the long trip back home and I asked to one of the coaches if I could go in the coach boat to watch the medail race. This was oke so after chatting with some people we went on the water. Today all the classes where in another course then before so the current wind where slightly diffrent then the other days. First it was the J24 then the Hobie and after the RSX. It was nice to see the races this time from a coach boat. We where pretty close to the start and finsih line but at the upwind mark we couldn't see the position of the boats. 
It was not fear in the race they had nice plannng conditions, something I was hoping for all week.
In the evening the price giving was in town. It was very nice and after we had a great party in the Cuban bar and was good I had my bags ready for the trip, as it was pretty late and earlie to leave. (5 am)

PWA ARUBA 22ND UNTILL 26TH OF JUNE 2011

20 June 2011
By nb28monique on 23:24

2011 Aruba Hi Winds Grand Slam � Event Preview by the PWA

The dazzling island of Aruba has a rich tapestry of windsurfing history, having previously hosted PBA (then PWA) events for ten consecutive years. After a 13-year break the PWA will be making its return to the island for some exhilarating action. From the 19th untill 26th June the world's most outstanding freestyle and slalom sailors will take to the crystal clear water, to fight it out for all important ranking points.
Due to its tantalizing trade winds and relaxed Caribbean culture, Aruba has established itself as one of the most idyllic windsurfing locations in the world, and therefore the perfect spot to host the next stop on the world tour. 

 The moment you step out of the airport you will slip into the relaxed, laid-back atmosphere of the island. Competition will take place at the Fisherman's Huts, where the water is shallow, blue and perfect for freestyle. As you go out a little deeper into the slalom area it gets a bit choppy, but not too much because the surrounding reef keeps it relatively flat. The trade winds blow from the north east usually between 15-25 knots but it can get up to 30 when it's really going for it. Aruba is an amazing place and there are loads of things to keep you entertained.

T
The Aruba poster (Source: PWA 2011).

Day 1- Today was registration day foor the slalom racers, the freestylers still need to finish there double elimination so we got told our races are starting tommorrow. So annoteer day to test, to meet people, to chill on the beach. 

Day 2- Finaly the slalom was going to start. At 10.00 o'clock it was skippers meeting. They put a 4 jibe course wit the start towards the hotels. It was strong wind up to 28 knots buut also very gusty, not easy to chose sail. I went all day on my 97 liter Starboard I- sonic Carbon wood and Maui Sails 6.6.
I was in Heat nummer 1 of the wonen and was 7th in this heat after faling two times. In the loser final I startend very god and was easy in first place at the first mark there I had noot so mug wind and was hard to egt way so Alice F111 past me on this mark. Then untill the 4th mark I was in 2nd positron and was hoping to keep this place buut suddenly I faal at the last mark so two others could pass me. My result after almost a perfect race 4th in the losers.
The seconde ellimination of this day was great. We had a recall and after that I started noot so good, but was in 5th positron and managend to keep this place till the finish line so avance to the winners final. There I made a very bad start as could egt in planning on time so everyone in front of me. I did pass 3 people because they fell in at the seconde mark but I did so on the third, so at the end 10th in thewinner, not a great race but happy wit my results for today. As I know I do sail stronger then before.

Day 3- The men's startend at heat 9 as we stoppend there yesterday. That meant not much waiting before my round started. I was in the first heat again of the women and just finsihed 6th, just one place away from advancing into the winner. In the looser I had a great race but becasue of my bad start I couldn't make it better then 4th. I didn't fall at this two race, so jibes going better today.
Ellimination 4 was crazy. I was in the strongest heat ever. With names like Karin Jaggi, Sarah- Quita en more. Karin even said that before we went on the water. I was thinking. It doesn't realy matter all te girls are pretty high level here. In the years I do PWA it's only be going up.
Anyway I went to the start and my start wasn't full speed. Was about place 7. I managed to pass at the first mark 3 as it was big chaos there and I just went on the inside, what was just great. Then full speed 2nd mark, 3rd mark still in 5th place. Just before 4th mark I heard a sound and looked what happend. I broke my harnes. I was hooking out carfeull not to get stuck in the lines, and heard already another sailor getting close, then I was carefully hooking in not to fall down but was already loosing one two seconds, I need to sail to the finsih on my arms and lost my 5th position to Karin Jaggi who was able to pass me now. I was bit disapointed as witout the material failor I might have been again in the final and keeping some very good sailors behind me.
Quite a few sailors told me back at the start that I had an amazing run, just for me not enough. I need to focus quick again on the losser final, after boring Amado his harnes. Here I made so many mistakes I lost a lot of spaces and finshed 8 so hope i can discard this one soon.

Tommorrow again a new day and just thinking to the good races I did and hopefully I make it agian in the final.

Day 4- Yes I did it again. I had a very nice first round. I finished 2nd. My best result in PWA ever. I had a good start, not perfect but good enough to have women like Valerie behind me at the first mark and now i could feel how it is to sail in front and not go around people. Free way is much easier. Behind me was a big chaos and so was for me perfect to sail all the way in 2nd to the finsh. The final I had a very very bad start was way far in the back as could catsh the wind quick enough but was catshng up, even past some at a crash but they got me agian. at the last mark I passed Greta who wasn't happy about that but my speed was just much more then her's, so a 9th place.

……………It was already late in afternoon and we had they where trying to finsh the Elimination #7 but the wind was playing with us. We where on prospone for a while and then we had to try to start. My heat two times in a row, then the other women fleet but non was rea;y able to plane so we where sent bck to the beach to stay standby. And yes I was afraid for that, as it's weekend and a lot of crowed on the beach they sent us out again, but after anotehr try they saw it was not going to be sutibable wind anymore for this day. So we where ready for the day.

Day 5- As we didn't started yesterday we had to be the first once on the water to start. It was light wind so Juan decided to waite a bit longer for the wind. At 11.00 o clock he made us start. The wind was lighter then the other days, so for me perfect. I wasn't very good starting again, but was catching up again. I was passing a few at the frist mark and was in 6th position trying to beat Lena and I almost did was so much faster but see managed to block me from passing her on the outside towards the finsh line. I knew I did all i could and made her nervous, so at least know I have the capacity to sail with the top this year.
In the looser I didn't do so well. I got 6th place.
After that we had a lunch break and it seems the wind was picking up. Amado came back to teh beach and told me it wasn't that strong so I went out again with the 6.6 but already going to the start I was thinking if I did the right thing. The count down came and I had no chose. Here we go flying over the water without any controle. I fell in at the last mark and wasn't able to ift the sail quick out the water and as I was in heat #3 I decided to sail back to the start with a DNF behind my name as was much more important to make my start in losser on time. So i did, again no time to change as had only 3 minutes on the watch when I passed the startboat. I was way overpowered, but knew everypoint was going to count and i wanted to keep my overall place, so that was the goal. I fighted hard. Fell in again at one of teh marks buut managed to finsh 4th what wsn't bad at all with some other liek Lena and Cagla in my heat who had an over ealrie. 

Back to the beach I was happy. I had a good event. I finsihed overall 14th. I did not reach my goal top 10 but was very close to it. I sailed stronger then i ever did. I took sometimes risks to get in to the finals. If I look back to my results I made out of 8 two times the final. I had 3 times at place 6 in the first round so just missed the final (top 5) in a few meters to another windsurfer. My best result was a place 2nd in firs round and a 9th in a final what is very good. 

I had a few times troubles with my gear what is disapointing but part of the game.

Hope to see you all back next week for the Aruba Hi winds 2011, now i take some days rest