Techno293

Xanthe Bowater's final report from the Techno293 Windsurfing Worlds in Medemblik

Well, worlds are all over now and I will be heading home in a week. I take home second place in silver and 37th overall. This was not exactly as well as I had hoped for but in hindsight a realistic result especially considering my unfortunate injury prior to the event.

Xanthe Bowater reports from the Techno293 Windsurfing Worlds in Medemblik

With 450 competitors from 26 countries ... the racing has been really good, a bit of every wind condition. Xanthe writes yet another great letter on her experiences, and reflects on what its like to come from a small country with limited resources to compete on a much bigger and better resourced stage. Click through to read it all.

Windsurfing is awesome - kids and parents watch this!

Xanthe Bowater prepares for the Techno293 Windsurfing Worlds in Medemblik

After the Sopot regatta we were loaned two brand new RS:one race boards to train on for 4 days. Unfortunately the wind didn't get up above 5-6 knots so we didn't get to give the gear a real test but we enjoyed them all the same. It was, however, very good for getting my fitness levels up again and testing my ankle gently.

Xanthe Bowater reports from Sopot, Poland

Hi to you all and welcome to the journey. Sorry it has taken me a few days to finally get you up to date with what is happening,but it has been a busy and fairly tiring time. This last month has been a bit of a roller coaster for me having fractured my ankle at hockey, but with great medical support I have healed exceptionally fast with the plaster coming off last Tuesday. Although this was a blow to my training program I have been going to Contours almost everyday and with great physic support from Vanessa and Chealsea I am well on the way to 100%.

Windsurfing 'Have a go'

Sun 27 May 2012

Lake Pupuke, Auckland

Please pass onto all your sailing mates with 10-17 year olds.

Madloop and the Techno Association are hosting 'Have a go at windsurfing' this Sunday, 27th May, 12-2pm. Lake Pupuke. Special rate of $45 for 2 hours (normally one hour). Includes board hire, wetsuit and a coach. Techno Sailors will be there blatting around too.
Contact Alan 021 958 812. Mention "Techno Sailing"

RS:X & Techno team are at the Auckland Hutchwilco Boat Show 17-21st May

Great looking set-up, check out their web site RS:X Techno NZ. They are giving away free lessons so get your friends, especially the ones with kids to call by the stand.
When the going gets tough ... these guys are rising to the challenge and deserve our support - if anyone can think of a way to help them, get in touch.

Windsurfing is still in the Olympics.

Rather than squabbling over the spoils of 2016 Olympics decision to switch from windsurfing to kiteboarding, the value of which is still unknown, Windsurfing New Zealand (WNZ) believes we should be focussing on supporting our current 2012 Olympic competitor J P Tobin. They also think the victims of the recent decisions deserve more support than they have received so far.

In about 70 days the 2012 Summer Olympics will begin, and windsurfing will be there. Jon-Paul Tobin sailing in the RS:X windsurfing class is one of our best prospects of a medal. We should not lose sight of that fact.

Olympic windsurfing - action to get the ISAF to reinstate windsurfing as an Olympic sport

In an unexplained move the ISAF decided to drop windsurfing in favour of kiteboarding. There should be room for both sports and there is no justification for dropping the most dynamic sailing class from the Olympics. There has been a strong backlash as a result of this decision and there is momentum to have windsurfing reinstated.

This page will act as a starting point for all information on this issue:

Resources

RS:X Class website

YNZ statement on 2016 Olympic events

At the conclusion of their mid-year meetings, the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) has announced that kiteboarding will replace windsurfing at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and that the New Zealand designed MacKay FX (now 49er FX) will be the new Olympic womens’ skiff discipline.

Yachting New Zealand is disappointed with the decision to replace windsurfing, however the announcement has also brought some welcome news for the NZ Sailing Community and Marine Industry through the confirmation of the 49er FX.