Kieran Martin

RYA Volvo National Youth and Junior Squad sailors secured a treble of gold medals at the 2011 Techno 293 Windsurfing World Championships on Sunday (24 July), with Kieran Martin, Saskia Sills, and Emma Wilson all claiming world titles in San Francisco, USA.

With blue skies and bright sunshine greeting the shores of San Francisco bay across the five days of racing, it was Cheadle’s Kieran Martin in the under-17 boy’s class who claimed back to back wins on the final day, clinching him the prestigious world title.

Martin started the Championships off slow and it was RYA National Junior Squad member Adam Purcell who led the charge in the early stages of the Championships, only to then fall behind towards the business end of the regatta. Martin took advantage with consistent top end results to take Gold and event victory while Macclesfield’s Purcell finished with a hard-fought silver medal.

Martin, RYA Volvo National Youth Squad sailor, commented: “It was a tough week of racing, especially with the strong tides but I am really pleased that all my hard work has paid off and I won – It feels brilliant!

“The conditions were ideal for me as we have been doing a lot of training in the stronger breeze, although the tides made it quite tiring and it took the first few days to get to grips with.”

Martin added: “Once I got into my stride and the results started to come, that’s when i really stared to enjoy the event. My strongest competition was by far my team mate Adam who won silver, although everyone who competed was of a good standard. We both receive really good coaching from our RYA coach Oli Woodcock which I guess is why the team did so well and won so many medals.

“I’m going to take a break now for a week or so and then start training for my next event. I’m sure the experience from winning the world title at this event will add to my performance at future events,” concluded Martin.

Meanwhile in the girl’s under-17 division, Launceston’s 15-year-old Saskia Sills and her twin sister Imogen Sills, flew the flag for Great Britain as they continued the British dominance with a gold and bronze medal respectively.

The medals were once again decided in the last race of the day with intense racing all week leading up to a finale finish. RYA National Junior Squad sailor Saskia clinched the world title by finishing second behind fellow GBR and Barrow-On-Humber team mate Emma Labourne in the final race of the regatta. Labourne finished seventh overall while Noelle Finch from Clevedon finished just behind Imogen Sills in fourth.

The third and final gold medal was sealed in the Under-15 girl’s class before the final day had even begun due to an array of outstanding performances by Dorset’s Emma Wilson throughout the Championships. In the same fleet, Emily Hall from Nottingham added to the British medal haul with a well-deserved bronze medal on the final day rounding off a fantastic event for Team GBR.

Duncan Truswell, RYA Youth Racing Manager, commented: “All in all this is an excellent performance for the British team at this regatta, the sailors held their nerve in a notoriously tricky venue to remain consistent and come out on top at the end of what I imagine was a long, tough week of competition.

“To be on top at both under 17 and under 15 level and to have other GBR sailors on the podium as well is a remarkable achievement for British Windsurfing, and particularly pleasing.

Truswell concluded: “Credit must go to the small pool of RYA Zone and National Junior Squad Coaches who I know have worked so hard with these guys over the winter months throughout the last few years. I very much look forward to seeing how they progress – I hope once they have had a bit of down time the passion will burn even brighter for these young sailors.”

For more information about the event and for full results visit www.techno293.org

Saskia Sills flying the colour

David Wells of Waterhound.com reports from the fifth and final day of a spectacular 2011 Techno Windsurfing World Championships in San Francisco.

The final day was a full one with 2 course races and a long distance race on the agenda and the tension could be cut with a knife with multiple world titles up in the air. The long distance race is not part of the overall scoring but was a once in a life time opportunity for many, with the infamous island prison of Alcatraz serving as the leeward mark.

The last day of the regatta followed the trend of oscillating fog banks; one day it’s in, the next day it’s out. Today’s recipe was one filled with blue skies and bright sunshine and the usual 20 mph sea breeze filling up San Francisco Bay. And like all the days prior the current was flooding, which in San Francisco means the sailors must fight against it as they go upwind only to enjoy a high speed sleigh ride off the wind.

Kieran Martin (GBR 926) started off the regatta on a slow note but from there he only got faster quickly dialing in to what it takes to win in San Francisco. Martin swept the final day with back to back wins vaulting him to a world title. Martin’s teammate Adam Purcell (GBR 62) essentially sailed in the opposite direction of Martin. Purcell led the regatta in the early days of competition only to falter as the week went on. Purcell’s day 5 performance left the door open to Israel’s Bell Baz (ISR 619) to take his best shot at stealing away the second spot and Bell was up to the task putting up a 3-2 scoring line in the day’s final two races. With twelve races sailed however the sailors were able to throw out two of their worst scores which for Purcell happened to be the final two of the regatta. When the math was all tallied up Purcell took the second spot from Bell who settled for third in the Boys Under 17 division.  Your top 3 left to right Adam Purcell, Kieran Martin, Bell Baz.

Saskia Sills (GBR 956) continued the strong British performance at these worlds bookending the Under 17 Boys title with victory in the Under 17 Girls. The action in this division was absolutely thrilling with the world title coming down to the final race. American Marion Lepert (USA 143) stumbled in the day’s final race when she had a chance to lock up the world title. With that it was down to Lepert vs. Sills in a winner take all battle. Sills jumped off to a stellar start just behind the surging Emma Labourne (GBR 719) who had decided to put on the afterburners for her final shot at the race course. Labourne was on fire and Sills was riding her coat tails around the course with Lepert just within striking distance. As they came to the finish line Labourne took the win with Sills taking second and the world title that went with it. Lepert had been in third place the entire race but slightly understood the finish line allowing for Imogen Sills (GBR 561)to slip in to third place.  As it all wrapped up it was Saskia Sills taking first, Marion Lepert taking second, and Imogen Sills rounding out the top three. Pictured Left to right Marion Lepert, Saskia Sills, Imogen Sills.

France’s Julien Bouyer (FRA 192) simply dominated the Open Division only growing his lead on the day’s final two races. Teammate Marc Lavaud (FRA 434) showed he had the speed to beat Bouyer from time to time but the outcome was never seriously in question. Puerto Rico’s Alejandro Monllor’s (PUR 1) managed to hold on tight to third place but it was by the slimmest of margins as Japan’s Jun Ogawa (JPN 116) was doing all he could to dislodge Monllor from the final podium spot. The two sailors were locked up at 30 points each with the tiebreaker going in Monllor’s favor. Julien Bouyer, Marc Lavaud, and Alejandro Monllor wrap up the regatta 1-2-3. Japan’s Makiko Tanaka took home the title for the Open Division Women.

Britain’s Emma Wilson (GBR 961) had the World Title in the bag before the day even started but that doesn’t mean she slowed down any in the days final races. Shai Blank (ISR 951) sailed well all week and had it not been for a subpar, by her own standards, day one performance she would have had a legitimate shot at the title.  Emily Hall (GBR 714) gave it her best shot but in the end could not overtake the Blank’s consistent sailing. Eugenia Bologna (ITA 10) was in the hunt all week long but had no wiggle room on the throw outs leaving her in fourth place when it was all said and done.

Italian Mattia Onali (ITA 134) took the strategically safe route on the day in the Open Division. With the world title already in his back pocket sailing the final two races could only put himself at risk so he played it safe staying on the beach. Onali had been simply dominant in the final days reeling off 6 straight bullets to seal his title. Artiom Javadav (BLR 766) looked to have second place pretty well locked up but that was until Mikita Tsirkun (BLR 714) decided to go for broke and posted a 1-1 scoring line on the day. Javadav was up for the task however and covered Tsirkun at all turns to ensure his second place spot on the podium.

In the Raceboard action Switzerland’s Vincent Huegenin (SUI 9) was in control of his own destiny and he nearly cost himself the regatta. Argentine’s Fernando Consorte (ARG 155) saved his best performance for the end taking the final two bullets of the regatta. Consorte however needed help from Frenchmen  Jean Asia (FRA 171) in order to beat Huegenin but it was not to be. Huegenin took home top honors with Fernando Consorte in second and Jean Asia (FRA 171) in third.

The “Round the Rock” race is something of a tradition here in San Francisco with the first race dating 37 years ago to 1974. Now that some history. And now part of that history is Joris van Essen (NED 1111) who took the overall win. Julien Bouyer did likewise for the Open Men, while Jean Asia took top honors for the Raceboard Class. Sara Wennekes (NED 203) came out on top for the Girls.

The day concluded with a splendid prize giving ceremony where once again a heartfelt thanks was extended to the St Francis Yacht Club and the plethora of volunteers who have done everything from working the boats, to fixing boards, to helping the kids in and out of the water.  A major round of applause was bestowed upon Dennis Deisinger, the primary organizer and driving force for pulling off this very successful event.

More thanks to the support of the Events Sponsors, Zico Coconut Water, The International Windsurfing Association, The Windsurfing Task Force, The Sports Basement, The ISAF, Bic Windsurfing, Waterhound.com, GU Energy, and US Windsurfing.

Last but not least has to be made for the solid performance of an incredibly professional race committee. Recently anointed St Francis Race head Robbie Dean and his team pulled off an exceptional regatta. The linchpin of their success was the on the water performance PRO Darren Rogers. Both of these guys will be first in line to tell you they were only as good as the top notch teams they had working for them.

Complete Results: www.sailingresults.net

Day 5  Photo Gallery: waterhound.smugmug.com

Awards Ceremony Photos: waterhound.smugmug.com

Techno racing on day four – image: www.waterhound.com

Report by www.techno293worldchampionship.org: Broken masts, cracked boards, and whipping winds highlighted a dramatic third day of racing at the 2011 Techno World Championships.

The day came in like a lamb and went out like a lion as the San Francisco fog bank upped the game today hurling consistent 20-22knot winds at the fleet of competitors. This is spirited bunch however and they came ready for action taking all San Francisco could throw at them and coming back for more. Blue skies and mild 15-20mph winds greeted the sailors as they got ready for the day’s action. The flood tide was once again in play and this time, like a tractor beam, it sucked the marine layer in through the Golden Gate dropping temperatures and increasing wind speeds to 22 knots and beyond by the midpoint of the day’s first racing action.

The day’s agenda called for three races to be sailed comprising the 6th, 7th , and 8th races of the regatta and by now fitness was beginning to play a factor after three days of continuous racing in solid 20+mph winds.

Britain’s Emma Wilson (GBR 961) is still holding a commanding lead in the Girl’s Under 15 division but do not count out Israeli Shai Blank (ISR 951). Wilson’s Day 3 scoring line of 1-2-2 showed she has the consistency she needs put the world title in the bank however Blank’s up and down day finished on a high note by taking the final race win and left her in contention. Emily Hall (GBR 714) is holding tough in third place but a special note has to be made for Eugenia Bologna (ITA 170) of Italy who was relishing the higher winds posting her best result of the regatta by winning outright race 2 on the day. The day wrapped with Wilson on top, Blank in second, and Hall in third.

Team Great Britain had a mixed day on the water in the boys under 17 fleet and had to deal with some severe adversity on the day. Kieran Martin (GBR 926) however was able to overcome the adversity to shine. The big winds and rough waters took their toll on Martin’s board completely blowing out his fin box. Ever the competitor Martin somehow managed to sail on to a second place finish despite the flopping fin. The race committee was quick to act and was able to immediately secure Martin a new board so he could continue on unimpaired. Adam Purcell (GBR 62) had a subpar day by Adam Purcell standards with a 4-4-5 scoring line but managed to continue to hold on to the overall lead. Matthijs van ‘t Hoff (NED 216) suffered a bout of inconsistency matching his first and second place finishes in race 2 and 3 with at 15th place finish in race one that sent him off the podium on the day as Hubert Aupinel (FRA 651) moved up and now sits in third place overall behind Purcell and Martin.

American Marion Lepert (USA 143) stumbled in the first race of the day but picked herself up to remain the favorite for top honors in the Under 17 girls division. Lepert jumped out to a lead in the day’s first race but decided to sail the upwind leg with her centerboard up thinking it was windy enough to get by on fin alone. The decision was disastrous however as the rest of the fleet, center board down, rolled over top of Lepert sending her to a 13th place finish, her worst by far of the regatta. Champions however are not made in a single race and Lepert dusted herself off to finish strong and continues to lead the overall results. Saskia Sills (GBR 956) picked a good day to shine and posted a 1-2-2 scoring line that served notice to Lepert she had better stay on her A game or be prepared to settle for second place. Imogen Sills (GBR 561), Saskia’s twin sister, had her best day on the water as well including an overall race win in race 2 on the day that left her in third place overall. A quick note has to mention the performance of Italian Marta Maggetti who rocked the fleet with a second place overall finish in the first race of the day to send herself moving up the leader board. Maggetti now sits in sixth overall and has shown that if the winds lighten up on any given day she could be on top of the fleet.

The action in the Under 15 boy’s fleet saw Italian Mattia Onali (ITA 134) put a vice like grip on the world title as he swept all three race wins on the day. Artiom Javadav (BLR 766) moved up the ladder to secure second place. Mikita Tsirkun (BLR 714) continued to move down the rankings but ever so slightly as he ended the day tied with Brenno Francioli (BRA 70). Don’t count out Italy’s Marco Ettore (ITA 3) who is lingering only one point out of striking distance of the podium and has sailed exceptionally consistent all three days of the regatta.

We mentioned Antoine Albeau in yesterday’s report and apparently Frenchmen Julien Bouyer (FRA 192) was listening. Bouyer had his best day on the water yet and managed to snatch the overall lead from Alejandro Monllor (PUR 1) in the Open Division. Monllor’s inconsistent 5-1-5 scoring line cost him the regatta lead. We also mentioned yesterday you had better watch Bouyer’s French Teammate, Marc Lavaud (FRA 434), and we were right. Lavaud had his best day of the regatta knocking Japan’s Jun Ogawa (JPN 116) off the podium. Bouyer, Monllor, and Lavaud now sit 1,2,3 respectively with 2 days of competition left.

Fort the Raceboard Switzerland’s Vincent Huegenin showed he can be beat as Argentinean Fernando Consorte (ARG 155) knocked out his second bullet of the regatta in race 2. With that said it’s Huegenin’s title to lose at this point and Consorte will need some charity from Huegenin if he has any hope of overtaking him in the regattas final two days. Jean Asia (FRA 171) of France sits in third and baring a major shakeup that should be your final three finishing order.

Racing continues Saturday July 23rd with a likely 2 races on the agenda. The action will once again be centered on the San Francisco City Front with prime viewing at Crissy Field’s East Beach with a first possible start at 11am.

Complete Results: www.sailingresults.net

Day 3 Photo Gallery: www.waterhound.smugmug.com

Day 3 Photos Shawn Davis: www.picyourshot.com

Adam Purcell in San Francisco

Words and photo by www.waterhound.com: The second day of competition at The Techno Windsurfing World Championships saw San Francisco once again delivered near perfect conditions for racing.

With three races sailed the day prior day two’s action was limited to two races. Racing got underway by noon time and with a fresh 18-20 mph sea breeze once again blowing across both courses the two races were quickly wrapped up allowing for the sailors and their families to have the rest of the day to check out San Francisco. Currents also played a factor in the racing on this day with a nearly 3 knot flood tide pushing eastward on the sailors bows as they headed up wind. The infamous San Francisco fog made its presence felt as it lapped at the Golden Gate Bridge all day long never quite making it over the race course much to the delight, and the warmth, of both spectators and competitors alike.

The sailors were again split amongst the two race courses with both fleets doing 2 laps on a windward leeward course. The leeward mark is actually a gated mark allowing for some strategy to come into play as the sailors need to decide which side of the course they want be on as they head back up to the windward mark. While heading to shore does offer some relief from the current it is clear there is better wind pressure on the outside of the course.

The Under 17 girls saw Marion Lepert (USA 143) climb ever closer to locking up her second World Championship title of the month. Saskia Sills (GBR 956) however served notice to Lepert that this is going to be anything but easy.

Saskia put up a bullet for the days first race and then proceeded to back that up with a second place finish as Lepert regained her groove to close the day out with another win. Noelle Finch (GBR 703) dropped two spots on the day to finish in fourth while Imogen Sills (GBR 561) moved up a spot from third to second.

For the Under 15 Girls fleet it was Britain’s Emma Wilson (GBR 961) picking up where she left off yesterday; leading the fleet around the marks. Israeli Shai Blank (ISR 951) was putting the pressure on Wilson and finally got her on the day’s final race putting up her first bullet of the regatta. Emily Hall (GBR 714), also of Great Britain sailed consistently enough to maintain her third place overall standing in the rankings with Blank firmly entrenched in second.

The action in the Under 15 boy’s fleet saw a shuffling of the day one leader board with Italian Mattia Onali (ITA 134) making his move and assuming the top spot. Belarus’s Mikita Tsirkun (BLR 714) looked to be extending on his day one lead after winning the first race on the day but a 7th place finish in race 2 forced him to settle for second place position overall. Mitikia’s teammate from Belarus, Artiom Javadav (BLR 766), continued to sail consistently finishing the day in third place overall posting his two best results so far a second and a third.

Adam Purcell (GBR 62) of Great Britain chose to favor the outside of the course to stay in the fresher winds and it paid dividends for him in the Under 17 boy’s fleet. Purcell won the days first race in tight competition with Matthijs van ‘t Hoff (NED 216) and Hubert Aupinel (FRA 651) who took second and third respectively. Matthijs van ‘t Hoff was not done for the day by any stretch putting up an overall race win for the second race on the day. van ‘t Hoff currently sites in fifth place overall and has clearly found his speed, but will need Purcell to make some mistakes if he is to overtake him in the results. Kieran Martin (GBR 926) moved up the leader board and now hold third place if ever so slightly. Only one point separates the second through fifth place sailors while Purcell holds a commanding 10 point lead.

Over in the Open division Alejandro Monllor (PUR 1) continues to lead, but Julien Bouyer of France (FRA 192) showed he can channel his inner Antoine Albeau. Bouyer shares the same sail number as the famous French PWA star and he showed he has the right stuff to follow in Albeau’s footsteps taking the final race win of the day. Do not count out Japan’s Jun Ogawa (JPN 116) who sits in third overall. Ogawa is only 2 points outside taking over the top spot with lots of racing to come. A special note for French sailor Marc Lavaud who posted his best result of the regatta putting up a second place finish in the day’s first race.

The Raceboard action has settled in to a routine with Switzerland’s Vincent Huegenin commanding the action. Argentinean Fernando Consorte (ARG 155) and Jean Asia (FRA 171) of France all followed Huegenin around the course to carbon copy 1-2-3 finishes in both races.

The competitors will be treated to some world class hospitality at the St. Francis Yacht Club tonight and then racing continues tomorrow, Friday July 22nd, on the San Francisco City Front with a first possible start at 11am.

Complete Results

Day 2 Photo Gallery

Day 2 of the 2011 Bic Techno Champs, San Francisco

The 2011 Techno World Championships opened up in glorious fashion this Wednesday July 20^th with bright blue skies, warm 20mph winds, and plenty of action on the race course.

After what looked to be a near perfect day of racing for the Practice Race the day prior San Francisco only upped the ante delivering exceptional racing conditions for the regatta’s first official day of action. The agenda for the day called for 2 races in the first half of the day with a short break before sending the fleets out for one last race.

Like yesterday’s practice race the flood tide was in full swing. When the tide is flooding here in San Francisco that means it’s working against the racers as they sail upwind to the tune of about 2.5 knots on this day. This makes calling lay lines particularly difficult and forces the sailors to use tactics to minimize its effects. Lucky for the fleet St Francis Yacht Club Member Dr. Paul Heineken supplied them with a framework document to explain the tides and offering up advice honed from Heineken’s decades of sailing these very waters.  You can read Dr. Heinekens document by clicking techno293worldchampionship.org

Once again the fleets were split up with the largest fleet of Under 17 Boys and girls racing on the Eastern most course while the Under 15 fleets raced on the western most course. Unlike the day prior both courses were nearly identical in weather due to the complete absence of the infamous San Francisco Marine Layer.

As racing kicked off it in the Under 15 Girls fleet it was Britain’s Emma Wilson (GBR 961) off to a strong start posting two bullets and a second. Compatriot Emily Hall (GBR 714) was never far behind and managed to end her day on a high note taking the final race win. Israel’s Shai Blank (ISR 951) rounded out the top 3 on the day.

3 races and 3 different winners in the Under 15 boy’s fleet but it was the consistent sailing of Belarus’s Mikita Tsirkun (BLR 714) that put him in the top spot at day’s end. Sharing in the bullets was Italian Mattia Onali (ITA 134) and Brenna Francioli (BRA 70) who won race 1 and race 3 respectively. Francioli however stumbled in race two posting a 9^th place finish leaving him in fourth overall on the day. Belarus’s Artiom Javadav (BLR 766) capitalized with consistent sailing to hold on to third place as the day wrapped up.

The Under 17 girls saw recently crowned Formula Windsurfing World Champion American Marion Lepert (USA 143) pick up where she left off in Puerto Rico; winning. Lepert has been training hard for the event and it showed in her perfect 1-1-1 scoring line. British Teammates Noelle Finch (GBR 703) and Sills Imogen (GBR 561) took second and third respectively.

The Under 17 boy’s fleet saw fierce competition with 63 competitors vying for top honors. Adam Purcell (GBR 62) of Great Britain ended the day winning the final race and closing out on top of the leader board. French teammates Albert Chaillot (FRA 808) and Hubert Aupinel completed the top three. A notable performance was turned in by Evgeny Ayvazyan (RUS 3) of Russia who started out strong with a 1-2 scoring line only to falter in the days final race with an 18^th. Look for Ayvazyan to vault up the standings as throw outs come in to play later in the week.

Racing alongside the younger fleets is the Open division and Alejandro Monllor (PUR 1) only got stronger as the day went on. Monllor, from Peru, ended the day atop the leader board with Julien Bouyer of France (FRA 192) only one point back in second.  Japan’s Jun Ogawa (JPN 116) completed the top 3.

Despite the small fleet the Raceboard action was well contested with Switzerland’s Vincent Huegenin trading wins with Argentinean Fernando Consorte (ARG 155) as the two dueled throughout the day. Jean Asia (FRA 171) of France is in third place.

After racing the fleet retired to a catered party at event Sponsor Sports Basement. In addition to hosting the party with food and beverages Sports Basement gave an additional 10% off their already insanely low prices. No doubt some parental credit cards will be hurting in the morning.

Racing continues tomorrow July 21st on the San Francisco City Front with a first possible start at 11am.

Complete Results: www.sailingresults.net

Day 1 Photo Gallery: waterhound.smugmug.com