Well if anyone ever says it never 'really blows' in QLD tell em their dreaming!
Just head Nth in Winter!
Its going off the scale here.. there are links to photos from Billy Craig on the Freerace Qld site, so head over the check em out, the photos don't tell the story properly though.....its super windy...and out the back extremely choppy, 4.7m and freewave board conditions!
Slalom started today with Team Qld doing well through Sean, Luke and Vando all up in the top results for the day, it was a big downwider course at the smooth end of the island and they were through the heats in 3-4 minutes...flying! Dave Sandos sailed well also, saw a great heat which he one courtesy of a lovely fast passing gybe, Ben is sailing well, not sure if WA are claiming him or Qld? Local NQ Kel, is physco scary with his insane off the wind runs, he will be up there in the FR results for sure.
Will is pulling off crazy flat water forwards in the freestyle
A late minute call to run a Freerace today, with just enough time before the boat....insane conditions, never seen so many stacks in a FR yet!, everybody was on edge, overpowered and in agony at the end of the HR!
And checking the BOM reports it was 27-33 around the time we were sailing ....arrhhhhh! Macro, decided to give himself a carbon fibre nose job
bit nasty but he's tough...I decided to rearrange my thigh yesterday with a bruise and lump the size of a grapefruit!....yep found a reef can now testify carbon booms are bomb proof!
I can confirm the Tassie crew are all physco's
after today's FR doing insane speed runs over lets say...not so deep bits of water...Mad! they will feature in FR 1 no doubt, those guys are super quick and seem to be right at home in the strong winds.
Surprise of the event so far has been meeting multiple world champion, and all round windsurfing legend Jessica Crisp, lovely lady and so friendly to all, and still deadly fast on the water, on 'borrowed' kit she has been wiping the floor against most guys, and makes it look so easy.. GUN!
Hope that fills you in a bit, photo's head over the FR Qld FB page....will see what we can do keep you updated.. it's a hectic schedule, early starts, bumpy boat rides, sailing all day, bumpy boat rides, drinks , dinner, crash, up early to do it all again...etc etc, forecast is fresh to frightening tomorrow...Some of us have already clocked up many hours of sailing, possibly hundreds of Km's in full on windy conditions already , and we still have the week to go.., it's a tough gig, but we will soldier on....
thanks for the updates,
looks like the qld guys have seriously thrown down the gauntlet.
well done.
Epic boys and girls. Thanks for the update Jonesy. It sounds intimidating but amazing. Good luck tomorrow.
Select to expand quoteKel71 said...
2nd and 3rd in the freerace so far as well!
Go Queensland!!
Yep, Vando 2nd Kelly Morgan in 3rd...Kellie T sailing a 4.7m wave sail features in the top numbers also.
Possible FR to start the day tomorrow in the top paddock, which is mainly all sand flats and has some protection from perimeter reef, will be awesome in there
GO QLD! Well done everyone, can't be easy in those conditions. Thanks for the updates, keep then coming.
Looks so nice and warm up there
Day 2 ..where to start?...well firstly, it's FG$%^G WINDY!...now I don't mean, oh dear going to mess your hair up windy, I mean Hold onto your board & rig before it blows away windy!!
Slalom races were insane, 35knt runs, insane speeds and photo finishes right by the beach, very high standard..not exactly sure on what the results for the day were, but it's not the normal suspects at the front in all races.
Jessica Crisp showed what a gun sailor she is sailing some great races beating many of the guys.
Freerace was even windier, if that was possible, the Sun came out and in it honked, and extra gust with ten minutes to go was insane, best described as survival sailing! We had a nice 'safe paddock' to play in so all was good.
There are some more causalities mounting, Kelly Morgan FNQ has cut himself badly not sure how bad as yet, which is a bumber for him especially after posting a 42knt run AM, and Team Qld needs him!
Kazza from Tassie (who got banged up last year) is getting something removed from her foot tonight in hospital, really bad luck for her, 2 years in a row!
There are some great shots up now on the Qld Freerace Face Book Page..www.facebook.com/freeraceq?ref_type=bookmark
Head on over to have a look, will post more as they come to hand..
Good one Jonsey! Thanks.. How are the Flicky Spinny crew going? Are you thinking about joining them ?
There is talk of a special flicky spinny Slalom race where they have to throw a forward at each mark, fancy gybe no simpler than a duck gybe, and finish sailing toeside then back to the beach fin first.... They are going well, did see 3. ? sail out there today!
Select to expand quoteJonesySail said...
There is talk of a special flicky spinny Slalom race where they have to throw a forward at each mark, fancy gybe no simpler than a duck gybe, and finish sailing toeside then back to the beach fin first.... They are going well, did see 3. ? sail out there today!
I did a few flicky spinny things at the gybes today, mostly unintentional!
Select to expand quotejamesf said...JonesySail said...
There is talk of a special flicky spinny Slalom race where they have to throw a forward at each mark, fancy gybe no simpler than a duck gybe, and finish sailing toeside then back to the beach fin first.... They are going well, did see 3. ? sail out there today!
I did a few flicky spinny things at the gybes today, mostly unintentional!
I think one of the moves is called the "ankle slicer"
Yesterday's results http://www.fw-australia.com/greenisland/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/2014-Slalom-Results-T2.pdf
website www.fw-australia.com/greenisland/results/
An interesting shake up in positions in yesterday's survival conditions. Ist and 2nd going to Rohan (WA) and Kaleb (TAS), both from states with reputations for high wind.
Apart from 1st and 3rd, QLD is featuring in all the other top 7 overall positions after 2 rounds.
When will the freerace places for day 1 & 2 be posted?
Select to expand quotejamesf said... JonesySail said...
There is talk of a special flicky spinny Slalom race where they have to throw a forward at each mark, fancy gybe no simpler than a duck gybe, and finish sailing toeside then back to the beach fin first.... They are going well, did see 3. ? sail out there today!
I did a few flicky spinny things at the gybes today, mostly unintentional!
Cripes James it looks pretty over the top conditions..I think it would be beyond me!
Man it sounds like you guys are having a ball. Wish I was there to share in the fun. Has been a depressing week at work that's for sure.
Double wow wish I was there take care and
Kick arse in equal measures new pharmasutical sponsor required 
Nurofen, Bedatine, Bandaid, would be prime sponsor targets.
Another insanely windy day...probably didn't get some of the gusts we had yesterday 35+knts, looked and felt lighter in the morning but was still 20-25knts then built to 25-30.....by FR time..
Heaps of Slalom heats today, the guys are knackered, results are up on the GI website, Rohan from WA , Sean Qld, Caleb Tas, in 1,2,3
Freestyle did run their own version of slalom including toe side legs, and tricks at each mark!
By the time FR kicked off the thought of an hour in 25-30knts was too much for most, so numbers down on FR 3, Caleb (Tas) cranked an impressive 25knt hour, Our own Kelie Tusler sailed really well again on a 4.7m wave sail, I was having a great run in 4th until my borrowed rig (Kelie's!!!
) decided to implode on me, (no I hit nothing! ) which resulted in long wade back to shore!
The unrelenting strength of wind has just not let up, pretty safe to say not too many have their preferred set up's here.
Tides (and hangovers) will dictate tomorrow's proceedings, Freestyle guys have wrapped up, Slalom have enough results to call a winner if need be, FR for all may be on the cards tomorrow.
Big PB by Kelie T, this morning 35Knts!!! With a dodgy sail! (it's really dodgy now, that it's in two)
Think everyone would like the wind to back off a bit so we can get on our normal kit and have some more controlled sailing.
Will post some more photos up on Qld Freerace FB page.
Cheers for the update jonsey. Been hanging for one.
sounds like so much fun. Wish i was there. You guys are getting rewarded for your efforts
It would be a lot more fun if we all had the 'right' gear...everyone is on too big, no one expected this much wind.
You can see in the FR numbers (which should be on line on the GI website tonight) apart from Caleb, everyone's numbers are not that high, its survival mode sailing. The Tassie guys are ripping it up in these conditions, just like home but warm water they reckon!
Would have been good to get some gear flown in last minute to suit! There has been gear carnage, including a certain WW presidents PB sail! ...if she wasn't sailing with a busted batten, I'd guess could of put another knt or 2 on it!
Last year was pretty light really, couple of windy days but the others were very light...this year...fresh to frightening!
It's been awesome, is awesome, and its not an easy place to pull off the logistics required for such an event, so we are all really lucky to be involved, 2 days to go, here's hoping blue sky's and a lazy 18-22knts!
yeah it probably could be more fun but jeez I am jealous!!!
that's what it's all about at these comps, not only do you get to sail with great people but you get the memories of a great event.
Select to expand quoteJonesySail said...
Nurofen, Bedatine, Bandaid, would be prime sponsor targets.
Another insanely windy day...probably didn't get some of the gusts we had yesterday 35+knts, looked and felt lighter in the morning but was still 20-25knts then built to 25-30.....by FR time..
Heaps of Slalom heats today, the guys are knackered, results are up on the GI website, Rohan from WA , Sean Qld, Caleb Tas, in 1,2,3
Freestyle did run their own version of slalom including toe side legs, and tricks at each mark!
By the time FR kicked off the thought of an hour in 25-30knts was too much for most, so numbers down on FR 3, Caleb (Tas) cranked an impressive 25knt hour, Our own Kelie Tusler sailed really well again on a 4.7m wave sail, I was having a great run in 4th until my borrowed rig (Kelie's!!!) decided to implode on me, (no I hit nothing! ) which resulted in long wade back to shore!
The unrelenting strength of wind has just not let up, pretty safe to say not too many have their preferred set up's here.
Tides (and hangovers) will dictate tomorrow's proceedings, Freestyle guys have wrapped up, Slalom have enough results to call a winner if need be, FR for all may be on the cards tomorrow.
Big PB by Kelie T, this morning 35Knts!!! With a dodgy sail! (it's really dodgy now, that it's in two)
Think everyone would like the wind to back off a bit so we can get on our normal kit and have some more controlled sailing.
Will post some more photos up on Qld Freerace FB page.
+ 1 for Kelly! In those winds and chop I'd be survival sailing with a 3.8m
Great reports Jonesy. Thanks for taking the time to keep us desk jockeys involved in your epic adventure. Good luck with the rest of the week.
The freerace looks like its a real hit. Can't wait to see some results.
This breaking gear is starting to be a bit of a habit. Not content with breaking your own gear, you have now started breaking other peoples (the president's no less) I feel a new nickname should come out of this... Maybe Agro, Animal or Bam Bam. Does anyone else have some suggestions?
Day 4, hard to type, hands are shredded.. another windy day 20knts then 20-25+ during freerace, everyone is physically spent! Cut's, bruises, coral abrasions, the list goes on!
GI greeted us with Rain (which there has been a bit of!) forgot to mention, it's actually been quite cool up here, in fact cold when your wet and its blowing 30, and no wetsuits!
Late start due to broken boat on way over, and tides running late in the day, Slalom racing in 20knts, results should be on GI website, looked good from where I was but can't comment on much as was busy free sailing.
FR No4 had to be shortened to 30 min due to lack of time, and I think to encourage some of the battered Slalom sailors to race...everyone was too shattered to do a full hour.
A 'Le Man's' style beach start to add some spice and extra fun, solid 20-25kt winds with the odd rain gust higher made for high speed action, inspired by the thought of only 30 minutes everyone went hard sailing speeds were high, conditions a lot more user friendly as you will see by some of the 'goofing off' pics on the
Freerace Qld FB site and Billy Craigs FB page.
Hopefully results are on GI website soon and also should be from other days also.
Qld wise Vando, Kelly Morgan featured in top, think Julien was also up there, Caleb from Tassie at the top again!...I broke nothing! had my best session, everything dialled, fast runs, made all gybes, can honestly suggest I would have come 5th.....BUT.....
Freaking GPS didn't work, stay on or whatever....grrrrr!
Anyway was a great session, lot of fun by all, proceeded by an hour or so of free sailing, Kellie trying to show us how to sling shot off the tip of the island for a speed run.. was such a good FR session think most people would have happily sailed the extra 30...but we had the boat to catch!
One more day...15-20 forecasted so lets see what happens, might be a shift to other section of island to sneak a session in before a BIG pack up...
Everyone stayed safe today...Jessica Crisp had a big bad wipe right at the end drag racing Luke after the racing, deep out the back.. not sure how she pulled up, but she was pretty sore, she is such a competitor though, tough as nails, she's earned a day off that's for sure!
Our main concern is a) getting gear off the island b) getting it off dry not rain soaked...(massive extra weight to deal with at Airport)
Tomorrow night is the end of event festivities at 'Salt' on the marina in Cairns... has been a big week, met heaps of great crew form all over Aus, everyone has been in great spirits, has been pretty mazing to watch the top guys in full flight also.. especially having to compromise with whatever gear they had with them...normally when you think of a Nth Qld island you think warm balmy breezes, tropical oasis...hard core doesn't spring to mind...but this week has been...good hard core though!
Great update Jonseysail. Look like the event has been a great success, good luck to everyone (especially the Queenslanders) on the last day tomorrow.
oh wow,
I keep congratulating people then realise there's another day to go.
is there another day to go still???
