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BSN101 said..On the LT Rich? get into it fella. Are you almost smoking Mike around the cans?RichardG said..
Windsurfer LT this weekend at MBSC Friday and Sunday, sorry I can't be there. Good luck all entrants to the Leeman: there is no shortage of wind up there. It is always under 5.0 as it was last year. Maybe next year for me !
On the LT Rich? get into it fella. Are you almost smoking Mike around the cans?
Well I have improved that is for sure. I have entered every race and am now completing them successfully, although a back marker. Sailing around the course consistently well is a challenge and a test of stamina and fitness particularly when the winds go from whispering 3-5 knots to a blitzkrieg 28 knots as they have in some races. Handling a 12'6" board is certainly very impressive in these conditions. Also you have to dodge Skiffs, Foiling Moths, Lasers, Sharpies, Cruiser Racers, Launches, Rottnest Ferries, fast Ski boats and others so it certainly intensifies life.
We have a few world champions in the fleet including:
>>>>>>Scotty McKercher...his reputation proceeds him. When he sails he wins.
>>>>>>Nick Poll (1980s superstar and the WA version of Robby Naish). He has incredible sailing speed and board handling skills and when he races can produce a podium finish or win.
>>>>>>Tim Gourlay, national champion and so incredible he can win in the LT class even when missing the start late by 5 minutes...
>>>>>>Mike Galvin, top windsurfer and standup paddler has also has been blitzing it, winning over the line and also producing second places and showing incredible downwind pumping skills of high calibre.
>>>>>>Olympian and champion sailor Denis Jones, current leader of the Club Championship in the LT and who recently recorded 22.47 knots on the LT...
>>>>>>Ian Lane professional boardsailor of some renown..always competitive, skilful and right up there.
>>>>>>Ian Barcham 1980s superstar back in top form taking 2nd place just ahead of Ian Lane 3rd a few weeks back in the 28 knotter race.
>>>>>>Steve Schneider top sailor, WA Class representative, last week 3 race series overall winner and regular ringer of the bell !
>>>>>>the local Greg Wilmott always a contender (possibly distantly related to world champion Bobby Wilmot); and
>>>>>>last weeks second placer Mark Taylor (SurfSail Australia and top 15 finisher in the 1984 Nedlands worlds),
>>>>>>Russell Morris, RPYC visitor and wavesailor who regularly was first over the start line leading each race out of the blocks..and very fast around the course..the Real Thing !
>>>>>>Kelvin....former Sydney windsurfer, a charterer of Windsurfer One Design Mk 2 and last weeks 3rd placer..
>>>>>>Cheryl...our top woman LT sailor so far..
so things are highly competitive. Also beers and snacks after the races and free beer overflows as the bell gets rung....
All of us are improving week on week.
When Mike Duff (NZ 12), 2016 World Raceboard 13th placer, occasionally sails his Mistral Equipe 2 (as he has a few weeks ago) he has won over the line against the LT. However he said the following on the competitors he is facing from the LT contingent, so while Mike got three wins over the line on his Mistral Equipe 2 with NP World Cup Racing MKIII 7.4 m2 sail, he said: "
The LT is fast and points high upwind. Those other guys demonstrated great technique railing their boards for upwind height and speed. I struggled to compete upwind. Downwind I'm much faster which saved me.." Mike Duff achieved a GPS speed of 29.4 knots on the Equipe 2 several weeks ago.
We hope to have 20- 30 boards racing next year. You can sail in conditions when you can't even foil. ie gardening conditions. We would welcome a visit from Bunbury/Busselton sailors keen to test their mettle. Come on up and join the fun on whatever board you have eg Pan Am/Equipe/One Design/LT. The club has some Windsurfer Mk2 one designs with new rigs for loan/rental as well.
There are also windfoilers who race against the Moths. Its great fun and cool.
Sorry this post hijacked the Leeman thread....