Interviewed afterwards Keith Atkinson said, “I’m very happy with the result, I felt extremely comfortable with my equipment and was mentally prepared for the event, it was very close and was down to whoever won the last race, I knew what needed to be done and I was happy that I pulled it out of the bag when I needed to. I’d like to thank my sponsors for their incredible support: North Sails, Fanatic, ION, F-hot fins, Marlow ropes, Kennett Watches, Physioactive and Wet ‘n’ Dry boardsports, Keith is looking forward to the 2013 season which starts in March.

Keith Atkinson

11 x British Windsurfing Champion Keith Atkinson storms the start of the windsurfing season with a convincing win in Pwhelli, Wales on 5th-7th May.

Keith Atkinson. Image courtesy Richard Taylor.

Saturday: With shifting wind conditions on day one, just one race was completed in the afternoon and a first place for Keith with a healthy lead. A second race was attempted however the wind disappeared to nothing and so racing was abandoned for the day.

Sunday: The second day brought no wind, just glorious sunshine. So ample time to prepare kit by maintenance and a bit of tuning for Mondays Racing.

Monday: The last day brought windier conditions, steep choppy waters, rain, 15-26 knots and a sizeable shore break to deal with. Two further races were completed and a further two wins for me before the racing was finished for the weekend.

A great victory for Keith, next UK Championship event: Herne Bay 2nd -3rd June.

Keep updated on Keith’s progress via Facebook and his official website: www.keithatkinson.com

All the information on the UKWA and results can we found at www.ukwindsurfing.com

As one of the most successful Formula Windsurfers the UK has ever seen, Keith Atkinson is happy to announce a new sponsorship deal with Fanatic, North Sails and ION.

“11 x British Formula Windsurfing Champion and BBC South East Watersports Personality Keith Atkinson (GBR-56) has joined Fanatic, North and ION for the 2012 season, focusing on Slalom and Formula events.”

The Fanatic Falcon and North Sails Warp - Keith's new weapons for the racecourse

“Through testing, I am very impressed with the performance and unbelievable high quality of the equipment. The Warp sails and Fanatic Falcon board range offer fantastic ease of use, especially in overpowered conditions. I feel secure that the sails will give me incredible control when the gusts hit, and offer me great power in low wind conditions. I’m really looking forward to the start of the season”

Follow Keith this year through Facebook and his website: www.keithatkinson.com

UK Formula flying

A new website about Formula Windsurfing in the UK, and for formula windsurfers in the UK, is now online. The site is the result of a collaboration between Keith Atkinson and Ceri Williams, both longterm supporters of the class and its racing format.

Ceri Williams, who is chairman of the International Formula Windsurfing Class, commented: “there has been a need, for some time now, for a dedicated website to promote formula racing, and formula racers, here in the UK. We hope this is the beginning of a reversal of fortunes for the class here in the UK; wherever there is a dedicated national body the sport of formula racing is steadily growing - for example in Australia, Northern Europe and USA.”

Keith added:” we need the input from the UK’s formula riders - our initiative was to set up a site for riders, by riders. If you have any stories, pictures, event reports, videos or anything else related to Formula Windsurfing in the UK, please send us the details through the website.”

www.formulawindsurfing.co.uk