Looks like Leo, Brad, Ian and Mark all did really well in WA. More details in the windsurfing WA thread. Should be some interesting stories!
Hey, that really is awesome Brad and Leo. Well done also Leo for a first place in masters.
Just goes to show what a top class outfit we have here in QLD. Perhaps we should think of running a National Titles here and show the rest of Australia what we are made of???
I have it unconfirmed that Leo and Brad were beating Bjorn Dunkerbeck the whole way, then the wind dropped out right at the end. Will be interesting to hear the full story. Fantastic results for Mark and Ian as well.
How good would it be to host a National titles here in Queensland. Sounds like a job for Windsurfing Queensland.
I didn't realise Mark and Ian were there too. Great work, Ian 5th and Mark 11th in open division. Champion effort.
Seems like De Ja Vu! Return home from perfect blue skys, hot every day, amazing perfect beaches,,,to, typically Crap Qld summer ****e!
So to add value to the WA experience I have posted a few happy snaps...except they make me depressed...so love WA..if I could live there I would!
There was a seabreeze everyday , (8 days) except Thursday and pretty much LOC race day!..must say that most were light, so after bashing my body sailing in the Ocean at Pinaroo Point and Mullaloo in 25+knots for the first 2 days I was feeling in form for the LOC...then the forecast went RS..so had to deviate from my 'One design' policy..(aka 1 board 1 Sail) lashed out $180 on a as new 2003 7.7m NP Diablo!
This combined with a JP Super Sport and a way undersized weed fin, I was always going to be in trouble in the next to nothing winds...After an amazing start where I was right up near the front with the Pros, I joined the many on the semi-sub plane journey and watched 8+m sails and nice wide boards zoom past all day!
Apart from that humiliation the sail was enjoyable, managed a few decent runs with time to soak in the scenery, pretty well buggered at the end though.
And no.. not tempted to join the +8m & wide board gang, will wait for the 'wind' for my 'wind'surfing!
As always the event is super well run, always challenging, well supported and backed by a great band/party/fireworks after, the WA folk are all super friendly.
The house and pool pic was our amazing abode in Ocean reef Perth, bit out of town , but nice beaches nearby, excellent walk/bike paths, at risk of doing myself out of Accom next trip...check out 'Stayz.com' this was only $150pn S/C unit with room to store sailing stuff also!
And for the record...think I was 25th Masters..70th Overal and 1st over line for the Sunshine Coast !..a large improvement on last year (where I sat back and waited for the crowd before starting)...and really has me keen to go back next year..expensive trip, Perth has a great Food and Wine Scene...1 week of WA sailing is equal to months over here!
wow, where did u take the pic with all the sailors? that's a lot of sailors out in no wind. i was quite underwhelmed with wa wind too (except for busselton to esperence where it blew it's tits off), but to be fair i think i was comparing it to an expectation built up in my head from all the hype i'd heard about wa wind over the years. Touring around the southern coast made up for it though 
is the first pic the stand at freemantle? i wonder if they ever got any wind for the comps?
haha , yeah did have a few laughs on the way with other sailors..in some parts I would fly past guys who were not planing only to cop a mouthfull of cheerfull abuse...only to have exact same happen in reverse 5 minutes later!
I tried to get a Rum and Coke from the girls on one of the Cray boats, but wasn't too keen on stopping in case they dragged me on board, for lagging behind!
First Pic is the Lancalin Tavern on Race Day....the group sailor pic with no wind was the actual race!
WA is a total contrast to the East coast, (especially Nth of Perth) which is part of why I love it,
The non sailing locals lament the WA wind and will tell you in howls everyday, but the reality is that is normally blows 3-4 days then backs off for a couple, before repeating..more wind and more often up at Gero for sure, but not much of place for non sailors...last time I was there the best meal in town was the Whopper Royale at HJ's!
Challenge is such a big place to see so much with often nothing in between..ideally you need a fair bit of time...but for a Quick week Perth is hard to beat, plenty of sailing Opps and Plenty of non sailing things and places to do see etc for the landlubbers with you.
I should be sponsored by WA Toursim!...Qantas..were great...$30 extra luggage is all I copped.
Sailed in Geraldton 6 days straight before heading to Lancelin 30knots for the first few days. More wind there than Lancelin.
Lattitude 28 Good place to go for a meal right on the waterfront.
Thanks Geoff. Really is well worth the trip.
Also The race results have now been corrected and Leo is the winner of the OPENS and Ash 4th in Masters.
