Nice shots shame no wind last year

vando said..

Nice shots shame no wind last year

So much wind here when you where there

With real wind being there on average 1 edition out of three since 2007 (2007, 2010, 2013: super windy, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012: Not at all), it's quite a gamble to do the trip from here.

Having done the 2010 one (and the 2009, not much to say about this one), it is a crazy event. Makes you feel like you can't windsurf. The start is scary as hell, and the usually flat spot turns a minefield (unless you're in the top 50, I guess....). The wind is strong on the north side (start side), and a good 10kt stronger 10km souther (1st mark). Most likely, by the end of the weekend you'd swearing at least once that you'll never do this again. But as soon as it's over, you can't wait for the next (windy) edition.

It's always happening on the (catholic) Feast of the Ascension, because the Thursday is a public holiday which gives you a 4 day weekend. So if you want to know the dates of the future edition (if they were to happen), just ask the pope:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feast_of_the_Ascension
2014?May 29
2015?May 14
2016?May 5
2017?May 25

Just got back to the UK, after the long drive back.

I went last year and got skunked. This time three full on days, 5 races at the full length 40km and 1 x 20km.

Some inappropriate equipment choices on the first two days (well it did not look all that windy from the beach, and watching all the pros rig massive), meant I only managed 20km in the first two days races.

Last day did the 40KM on a 4M wave sail, a lot of fun!

On the first day the wind really picked up at the first mark, the boat acting as the 1st mark drifted out... and 50 sailors needed a rescue, about 8 lost their gear to Huey, as the emergency guys were over stretched.

by plane I would guess.....




sorry

A few crew with WA connections up on the first page
www.continentseven.com/c7/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/result_after5races.pdf
Ex Pinnaroos GPSTC member James Dinsmore in 17th!
Danny Aeberli of the SouthSiders in 21st
Looks like Julien got 26th two spots in front of Philip Koster (I wonder if he was on wave gear?!)

in front of Philip Koster (I wonder if he was on wave gear?!)

Koster was on slalom gear.

lao shi said..

A few crew with WA connections up on the first page
www.continentseven.com/c7/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/result_after5races.pdf
Ex Pinnaroos GPSTC member James Dinsmore in 17th!
Danny Aeberli of the SouthSiders in 21st
Looks like Julien got 26th two spots in front of Philip Koster (I wonder if he was on wave gear?!)

Great Effort

brings back great memories. I did it in 2005 (only 450 on the start I think?) but windy as hell in some races. We got through 7 races. Wind meter was reading 55kts on the marker boat. AA and BD racing on 5.0s, (my smallest -5.6m was way too big). No PWA event to clash so plenty of good sailors there. The starts were epic fun. Nailed it a few times, and got a couple of top 10 results (on a kinetic gladiator). Looks flat. But isnt... square and nasty wash from the boards and bouncing off the beach. Coming back after the first gybe is frightening- especially up the front since you have to cross in front of pretty much the whole fleet... would love to do it again now that I'm all tuned up, but grateful for the chance to do it all those years ago.

That is going on the bucket list, all i can say is WOW. Where in France is it?