Jaeger Stone, by John Carter

Locals take the podium in elite wavesailing at the 2011 Lancelin Ocean Classic

Western Australian sailors were the winners on the waves at yesterday’s Lancelin Ocean Classic elite wave sailing competition.

Geraldton’s Jaeger Stone took out top position making the most of the great conditions making some spectacular jumps and out-manoeuvring the other 14 elite level sailors.

Luke Walmsley, by John Carter

In second place was local Lancelin windsurfer and past winner Luke Walmsley and in third place was Perth’s Ben Severne, who was last year’s winner.

Jaeger said he didn’t go into the day expecting to win and just had to try his hardest in the heats.

Jaeger Stone, by John Carter

“It’s always hard when you’re up against all those other talented guys.  It was a bit gusty and everyone was going pretty hard and in the end I think it was my jumping that gave me the edge.

“It got a bit light towards the end but I still managed to get my jumps in which I think won it for me.”

Jaeger was happy to be on the podium with his fellow West Aussie sailors.

“I think the West Australian wave sailors are the best in the country.  It was heaps of fun to be up there with my mates.”

Dutch windsurfing great Peter Volwater didn’t manage to place and said it was just not his day.

The Lancelin Ocean Classic wraps up today with the high-speed Slalom events.

Presented by KineticIT, The Lancelin Ocean Classic has been held since 1986 and is Australia’s longest-running windsurfing event. It is made possible thanks to the enthusiastic Lancelin community, Eventscorp, Bendigo Bank, Endeavour Tavern, Shire of Gingin, 92.9, and a team of dedicated volunteers.

Ben Severne, by John Carter

Lancelin’s population of 800 can swell to more than 4000 over the four days of the event with competitors, spectators, media and supporters descending on the crayfishing town, which boasts long stretches of white sand beaches ideal for all forms of watersports and water-based activities.

For event details and full results visit www.lancelinoceanclassic.com.au

The Marathon start at Ledge Point, by John Carter

Bjorn Dunkerbeck and Karin Jaggi rule the Ledge to Lancelin Marathon

Dutchman Bjorn Dunkerbeck lived up to his legendary status by winning Western Australia’s Ledge Point to Lancelin marathon today, finishing 44 seconds ahead of his nearest rival Chris Lockwood from Perth.

Dunkerbeck, 41, said he had a great race, finishing in 33 minutes 11 seconds, and choosing the right equipment this year helped him over the line.

Bjorn crosses the finish line, by Travis Hayto

“Last year was my first time in the Lancelin Ocean Classic and I learnt a lot.  I knew with the right equipment I would have a good chance at winning.

“The conditions were similar to last year and in the first leg I was fighting with Dan (Daniel Engdahl) for the lead on the way to the first buoy.

“On the second buoy the wind picked up and I managed to grow my lead.

“It’s a great race, all about long distance and tough conditions and if I can be back here next year I will for sure,” Dunkerbeck said.

At last count Dunkerbeck holds an incredible 40 world titles in the sport so coming second was a huge success for Chris Lockwood.

Bjorn Dunkerbeck, by John Carter

The 25km downwind marathon race started with 215 registered competitors and 197 starting. Strong contender for the event Peter Volwater did not start the race.

Conditions in Lancelin were perfect today with 26kn winds and a 2.5m swell.

Third fastest in the marathon was Jesper Orth, who was competing in his 11th Lancelin Ocean Classic.

“It’s great to be here again.  This race is pure enjoyment and the competition again provided top racing,” Orth said.

Switzerland’s Karin Jaggi was the fastest woman across the line at 38 minutes 8 seconds, keeping her reputation as world’s best female windsurfer intact.

“It was a tough race again and the last two legs felt really long.  I’m pleased with my finish, it’s always good to race with the guys and it’s not just about speed but also about being able to last the distance,” Jaggi said.

Daniel Engdahl managed to retain his fourth placing from 2010. First youth across the line was Matthew Gwynne.

The race follows a set zig-zag course of eight legs down the coast, with anchored crayfishing boats acting as marker buoys, starting at the beach at Ledge Point and ending at the beach outside the Endeavour Tavern in Lancelin.

The biggest enemy for competitors is fatigue, and other challenges include the crowd of sailors at the start, reef, and just being able to navigate the buoys through the swell.

Many competitors will celebrate with a cold beer at the Endeavour Tavern at the end of the race – but not all as several of the elite racers are competing in the wave sailing competition held over due to yesterday’s light wind conditions.

Top contenders in the wavesailing include last year’s winner Perth’s Ben Severne.  Severne said his biggest threat in this year’s competition would be 20-year-old Jaeger Stone from Geraldton, WA.  Past winner and European Champion Peter Volwater will also be tough to beat.

The Lancelin Ocean Classic wraps up on Sunday with the high-speed Slalom events.

Presented by KineticIT, The Lancelin Ocean Classic has been held since 1986 and is Australia’s longest-running windsurfing event. It is made possible thanks to the enthusiastic Lancelin community, Eventscorp, Bendigo Bank, Endeavour Tavern, Shire of Gingin, 92.9, and a team of dedicated volunteers.

Lancelin’s population of 800 can swell to more than 4000 over the four days of the event with competitors, spectators, media and supporters descending on the crayfishing town, which boasts long stretches of white sand beaches ideal for all forms of watersports and water-based activities.

For event details visit www.lancelinoceanclassic.com.au

Karin Jaggi, by John Carter

With strong swells today off the coast of Lancelin in Western Australia, local and international wave sailors competing in the Lancelin Ocean Classic had a good time on the waves but would have preferred a bit more wind to really show off their skills.

In divisions of Masters, Women, Junior, and Open, 33 sailors took to the waves to out-manoeuvre each other with the highest aerials and radical wave sailing under clear blue skies.

While it is too early to know results for the day’s wave sailing, competitors said they had a good time out on the water with a swell of four metres and winds of up to 13kn.

World’s best female windsurfer, Karin Jaggi from Switzerland, said she caught some good waves in the light onshore winds.

“I had a good time on the waves but found the wind conditions pretty hard as I prefer more offshore conditions, but I think it would be the same for everyone.

The elite competitors including titleholder Ben Severne from Perth and 2010 second place winner and European Champion Peter Volwater will have to wait until tomorrow to compete for the wave sailing title.

Peter Volwater, by John Carter

Volwater said he was looking forward to getting out on the waves for the elite wave sailing plus the Ledge Point to Lancelin Marathon and challenging 2010 marathon winner, multi world champion and fellow Dutchman, Bjorn Dunkerbeck, to the prize.

“It will be like the lion showing up and being harassed by the fly!  I’m looking forward to getting out there again.  It’s always a bit crazy at the start with hundreds of us out there, but once we get going it’s great fun – but always good to get back to the beach at the end.

“It’s great to be in Lancelin again for the event, catching up with windsurfing friends to start the year and enjoying the great welcome the town puts on for us.”

Organisers are expecting more than 200 windsurfers to compete in tomorrow’s 25km event, all hoping to take home a share of the $25,000 prize pool.  Winds are expected to be stronger with speeds of up to 25kn forecast and a slightly smaller swell.

The Lancelin Ocean Classic wraps up on Sunday with the high-speed Slalom events.

Ben Severne, by John Carter

Presented by KineticIT, The Lancelin Ocean Classic has been held since 1986 and is Australia’s longest-running windsurfing event. It is made possible thanks to the enthusiastic Lancelin community, Eventscorp, Bendigo Bank, Endeavour Tavern, Shire of Gingin, 92.9, and a team of dedicated volunteers.

Lancelin’s population of 800 can swell to more than 4000 over the four days of the event with competitors, spectators, media and supporters descending on the crayfishing town, which boasts long stretches of white sand beaches ideal for all forms of watersports and water-based activities.

For event details visit www.lancelinoceanclassic.com.au

Previous winner, Scott McKercher

Light winds and a small swell off the coast of the sunny Western Australian town of Lancelin today has meant the world’s best windsurfers have the pressure on tomorrow to show their best form when the competition takes off in earnest.

Wave sailing is one of the most spectacular forms of the sport and approximately 70 competitors will sail tomorrow in heats to out-manoeuvre each other with the highest aerials or radical wave sailing.

Event organiser Rob Goyen said conditions were expected to improve tomorrow with the start time planned for noon and competition lasting until approximately 6pm.

“Winds of 15 to 20kn are forecast tomorrow so it’s looking good for some spectacular wave competition.

“Everyone’s here, the excitement is building and competitors are amped to get out on the water.

“Competition will be fierce with last year’s winners back to contest their titles and some newcomers here to challenge their skills against the world’s best.”

Perth’s Ben Severne is back to defend his 2010 Lancelin Ocean Classic wave sailing title with last year’s second place winner and past European Champion Peter Volwater his closest rival.

On Saturday the Ledge Point to Lancelin Marathon will see at least 400 windsurfers from around the globe fly downwind along the coast, including 2010 winner and past and World Windsurfing Championship winner Bjorn Dunkerbeck.   For many it is a case of just finishing the 25km course and others will fight for a share of the $25,000 total prize pool.

Back to contest the women’s slalom title on Sunday will be world’s best female windsurfer Karin Jaggi from Switzerland.

Presented by KineticIT, The Lancelin Ocean Classic has been held since 1986, and is made possible thanks to the enthusiastic Lancelin community, Eventscorp, Bendigo Bank, Endeavour Tavern, Shire of Gingin, 92.9, and a team of dedicated volunteers.

Lancelin’s population of 800 can swell to more than 4000 over the four days of the event with competitors, spectators, media and supporters descending on the crayfishing town, which boasts long stretches of white sand beaches ideal for all forms of watersports and water-based activities.

For event details visit www.lancelinoceanclassic.com.au

Lancelin Ocean Classic 2010

Final preparations are being made for the 2011 Lancelin Ocean Classic – sailing off the stunning Western Australian coastline from 6 to 9 January.

Windsurfing world champion Björn Dunkerbeck (Team Red Bull), will be the man to beat, giving local windsurfers a chance to pitch their skills against the current world number-two slalom rider.

Joining Bjorn will be international Swiss windsurfing superstar and current World Number 1 in Women’s Slalom, Karin Jaggi.

2010 Lancelin Ocean Classic Marathon winner Peter Volwater is returning to defend the title he has won for the past three years. He is a past European champion and is currently ranked 15 in the world for slalom and 25 in the world in for wave sailing.

Newcomer to the event but certainly not the sport, pro windsurfer Timo Mullen from Ireland, will take on local champions Ben Severne – the 2010 Lancelin Ocean Classic Wave Sailing winner, Jesper Orth, Chris Lockwood, Dan Engdahl and Jager Stone. Past world champion Scott McKercher from Margaret River he will also be extremely competitive in the waves and marathon.

The Lancelin Ocean Classic combines three races – Wave Sailing (6 & 7 January), Slalom (9 January) and the main event – The Ledge Point to Lancelin Marathon (8 January) where competitors zigzag through 25km of open ocean, racing to the finish line at the Endeavor Tavern and a well-earned beer! Ledge Point to Lancelin is the longest marathon event in the world.

More than 400 windsurfers are expected to be competing for the $25,000 in prize money.

The Lancelin Ocean Classic, presented by KineticIT, has been running since 1986, making it one of Australia’s longest-running windsurfing competitions.

Competitors and spectators are invited to take part in the many festive activates that will be held on the beach throughout the event and a Saturday night party held at the Endeavor Tavern.

Daytime activities on the event weekend include paddle boarding, windsurfing demos, great music and entertainment. Refreshments will be on sale. People can watch the racing from 9am Saturday at Ledge Point, and Sunday from 11am finishing up mid-late afternoon on both days at Lancelin.

Competitor entries are still open and more information is available at www.lancelinoceanclassic.com.au

Médano ripper and rising PWA talent Dany Bruch is the first big name to sign for Karin Jaggi / Patrik Diethelm’s new board brand, PD Boards. Look out for the April issue of BOARDS mag for a full interview with Karin, and be ready to see this exclusive new brand appearing in PWA competition this season. Long-time sponsor Tris Best of the OTC spoke to Dany over Skype late last month, whilst Bruch was on his travels in WA.

OTC: Hi Dany, you’ve been in WA for over a month now training for the forthcoming season. How’s it been so far?
Dany: Hi Tris, yeah, I can’t complain really; got to say … I reckon I scored it! I haven’t stopped sailing since I’ve been here. In forty days I’ve been off the water for no more than eight, and on a few of those I have been surfing … can you imagine! I’ve done more than 7,000km and checked out all the best known spots of the Western Australian coast. Using Scotty’s house in Margaret River as our base-camp (where I’ve had some really good days), I have been down south in Esperance on a few sick days; checked out Scarbourough near Perth; Lancelin and Green Head further north to finally score some good days at Gnaraloo just a week ago. What a wave – ten top turns on each wave! Sick!

OTC: Seems like your training’s going well! Not a bad time to leave Tenerife either – waves have been great, but the wind pattern has been very odd the last two months. So anyway, what’s happening with your board sponsor for this season?
Dany: Exocet were really happy with my work and exposure and they guaranteed me a good deal for this year, but they came back to me pretty late. Also, I’m not involved in the R&D as much as I would like to be, so I started to look into other directions. I need to have the best boards to reach the top this year, even if it means starting from the beginning in regards to a lower deal.

OTC: So what has been your choice?
Dany: Patrik Diethelm boards! When I was on F2, I got along really well with Patrik, who was their shaper at the time. His boards worked incredibly well for me and on them I achieved my podium finish in Pozo, so when I found out that he was doing his own brand, I needed to get in touch with him. The best thing was that he was here in WA too, which made it pretty easy to get together and for me to try some of his new ‘babies’. I tried lots of different models in different conditions and they’re absolutely sick! I figured out that they are what I need for this season to get a good overall result. It will be hard, as he can’t give me any financial support yet, but I guess sometimes you have to step back and invest in the future to reach the goal you want to reach. And I know that Patrik will do well in the industry; his commitment is just so big that he will push it to the top! Him being a good sailor too makes the testing of his gear much easier and faster, bringing out a product that will be competing with the best from the off. I totally believe in him and in my decision. Straightaway, he introduced me to his new concept – the ‘Trailer Fin’. It’s basically a twin-fin, with the two fins positioned further forward and wider apart, so that you can turn super-vertical, rotating directly with your back foot over the fin. As the fins are so forward, to avoid spin-out and keep the board tracking he’s using an extra little single fin (hence the ‘Trailer Fin’ name) behind the twinser. I tried it at Margies and it’s amazing! It’s the most versatile board I’ve ever used and with the fins I can trim the board for all conditions. I use the straight twinser set-up on smaller days in short pocket waves. When it gets bigger I put the trailer fin in and adjust the position to have the perfect grip for fast carving bottom turns. In onshore conditions and for pure jumping I can use the board as a normal single-fin. It could even be used as a ‘thruster’ board with two little fins in the front, but I haven’t tested that yet…

OTC: And how has it been with Severne over there?
Dany: Amazing! They’ve totally taken care of me since I’ve been here and I’ve tried so many different sails and accessories. I’ve also left behind some damage (laughs) … but I guess that’s part of testing, no? So yeah, I’ve got some amazingly good sails for this season and really good boards. Best of all is that I can work with both of the brands together and try lots of different stuff to improve my sailing more and more.

OTC: When are you coming back then? What are your plans for the following month?
Dany: Well, time has come to return home. The Severne photoshoot will be on next week and after that I’m pretty much leaving for home. There will be some amazingly good news released soon too (watch this space!) which should result in me having quite a lot of work on! Apart from that, the main thing will be for me to ensure I’m in my best shape. I’m now being coached by my new high performance sponsor, CINDE, to make sure that all my training is developing in the right direction.

OTC: And what about some coaching clinics of your own at our centre?
Dany: Yeah, we’ll be having a few of those for sure! After the one I did a year ago, together with Nayra Alonso and John Skye, where I loved the experiece of teaching, I’ll definitely be doing some more this year. I think we may be having some other great sailors joining me for a few too … will let you in on it when I can! (laughs)

Photos: CMD

For more check out tenerife.otc-windsurf.com

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