Photo courtesy of Rob Plim

No valid races on the last day of the 2013 Qantas Downunder Pro – Formula Windsurfing Championships with 50 knot squalls battering the event for the entire day leaving the total at 5 races over the regatta.The 2013 Qantas Downunder Pro – Oceanic and Australian Formula Windsurfing Championships concluded on Saturday with an action packed 5 races taking place over the four-day regatta at picturesque Jimmy’s Beach, Hawks Nest. The strong 46 competitors, including 3-time World Champion from Australia, Steve Allen (Starboard/Severne) who had a relaxing day today with enough lead to not actually have to sail the first race if it was started today as it would not affect his winning position.

Steve Allen took the event win as well as the Oceanic & Australian Title ahead of Jesper Vesterstrøm from Denmark, and Wilhelm Schurmann from Brasil. It was the first time Allen had won the Australian title since winning in 2008 in Brisbane again ahead of Vesterstrøm who has competed in Australia for many years. Allen said about the event after taking home the first prize of a return-ticket airfare from event sponsors Qantas Airlines:

“Stoked to be back in Australia starting the year on such a roll. My new gear is working insane, I literally rigged up new sails and won straight on them. This is the first time I’ve raced in Hawks Nest and the one day we had was really amazing; beautiful location.”

Defending Australian champion Sean O’Brien (Starboard/Severne) was the next Australian over the line and finished only 1 point from the podium behind Schurmann after a OCS (disqualified for an early start) cost him a 3rd place against Wilhelm’s 4th in Race 3. O’Brien said about the event:

“Despite not getting a chance to pick at Wilhelm today, I’m pretty happy with the result. I’m on some new sails which I literally rolled new out of the plastic at the event and was instantly on the pace. In all the years Wilhelm has raced here thats the first time I’ve managed to consistently be able to beat him around the course so that was a really cool feeling. Really love racing at this place – bring on 2014!”

Downunder Pro 2013 – Final Standings:
1. Steve Allen (Severne/Starboard)
2. Jesper Vesterstrøm (Gaastra/Gaastra)
3. Wilhelm Schurmann (Neilpryde/Starboard)
4. Sean O’Brien (Severne/Starboard)
5. Christian Justesen (Neilpryde/JP)

World class sailors from around the world have enjoyed this years Lancelin Ocean Classic 3 day event, from the Spectacular waves competitions,to the kites, to the parties and sand boarding, to the Marathon event and the the beautiful weather and friendly locals have made the 28^th consecutive Lancelin Ocean Classic a weekend to remember.

For the 28^th year International competitors, amateur competitors and spectators have enjoyed the gorgeous WA coastline.

The first day of the Lancelin Ocean Classic today saw some spectacular windsurfing conditions ideal for the Waves competition with winds up to 25kmph and waves up to 11 foot high.  Windsurfers were in great spirits as they got ready for their heats.  This year there are 4 heats, Masters, Women, Open and Elite the pairs dual to be the champion of the waves.

The competition is judged by the ways in which the riders ride the waves and the quality of the jumps.  A late comer to join in the event was the legendary Peter Volwater which was set to spice things up a little.

During the 4 heats we saw some huge forward loops, back loops and push loops as well as some spectacular wave riding and the event really got exciting when Adam Lewis from the UK did an amazing 2 double forward loops which wowed the judges.

After some duelling heats, Dan Engdahl just beat Jonah Des-Forbes in the Masters,  James McCarthy Price beat Peter Tomsett to champion the Open and Karrin Jaggi beat world champion freestyler Laure Treboux to win the Female competition.  In the Elite division Ben Severne did some superb wave sailing to beat Peter Volwater and went onto face Ben Proffitt in the final.  It was a very close heat but Ben Severne took home the Macquire trophy at the presentations on Saturday 12^th Jamuary.

Ben said after the comp: “We had great conditions, way better than forecast.  In the heats I was against Peter Volwater I got lucky and it all came together, that’s as good as it gets.  After the long heats when I met Proffitt in the final my energy levels were low, I only have about 20 – 30 minutes worth of energy all I could think of was hanging on so I could get back for a beer”

The party in the park rounded off the first day of the classic, fun for all the family.

Sailors arrived at ledge point from 8am for the Lancelin Ocean Classic marathon, along with Jet Ski West who put on a an entertaining demonstration for the crowds of people waiting to see some of the worlds best windsurfers take to the waters.  Included in todays Elite line up is 41x world champion Bjorn Dunkerbeck, 10x world champion Steve Allen and defending his title is Peter Volwater 6 time LOC winner.  Pete is a WA regular and has a home here in Margaret River, Pete has come to Lancelin for the last 7 years to compete and brings his parents to this event to enjoy the beautiful weather and great conditions.

We also see the return of Jesper Orth who was close behind Pete last year, Blair Gavin. Dan Engahl and defending her LOC women’s championship title from last year was 29x world champion Karen Jaggi, who is now also a WA local.

In this years competition there was an Elite division, a women’s open, a men’s open, a masters, a grand masters and a junior division.  41x world champion Bjorn Dunkerbeck said “people keep asking why I come back to Lancelin each year, it’s a great event I like to do it, I can mix with international competitors and amateurs alike”  Bjorn visits WA a couple of times a year, the first was in 86, he travels up the WA coastline spending time in Mullaroo when he can “with the winds it’s a great spot” Just before the race Bjorn was helping people out with their sails and getting involved with all competitors on the beach, it’s a great inspiration.

Jet Sport West kept us very well entertained with motor cross style jet ski races from 9am as we waited for the wind to pick up and change direction.  Sailors were preparing to use big sails on the course today when in standard Lancelin Ocean Classic style at midday the winds came in SSW and built up to 24 knots just before the race.

The elites were the first released and Pete got off to a great start with one of the smallest sails a 6.8, it was a really close race between Pete, Steve, Bjorn and Jesper throughout the whole course.

The winds were picking up which the sailors were not expecting.  Even coming towards the finish line it was one of the closest races we have seen in a while.  After a gruelling 25 minutes the winners crossed the line with Steve Allen in 1^st place in 24 minutes 45 seconds, Peter Volwater in 2^nd place in 25 minutes and Bjorn Dunkerbeck in 3^rd place in 25 minutes 30 seconds.  4^th was German Gunner Asmussen and 5^th was Jesper Orth.

It was Steve Allen’s first time at Lancelin Ocean classic, he flew in Thursday night so had a couple of days to test out the water wind and weather conditions before the marathon.  After the race Steve said “It was a tight course, Pete was ahead for the first couple of turns, I passed him before the third but was getting fatigued so lost it back to him until the last turn when I just went for it.”

Bjorn Dunkerbeck had a bad start to the race getting tangled and having to make a couple of jumps, and did a great job with an 8.6 sail in ever increasing winds to get to 3^rd place,  he is keen to have a better race next year.

Karin Jaggi was again champion of the women’s heats completing the course in 29minutes 40 seconds, in 2^nd place was Justyna Sniady in 38 minutes 18 seconds followed by June Hill in 42 minutes 58 seconds.

In the Male Open David Vitale took first place in 31minutes 20 seconds followed very closely by Jake Dallimore in 31 minutes 26 seconds and in 3^rd place was Aaron Gavin in 31 minutes 54 seconds.

In the Masters competition Matt Langer came in first in 28 minutes 35 seconds, followed by Peter Crommelin in 31 minutes 21 seconds and Adam Passmore was a close 3^rd in 31 minutes 54 seconds

In the Grand Masters John Grulich took first place in 32 minutes 53 seconds, followed by Craig Mann in 35 minutes 13 seconds and Tom Radis followed closely behind in 35 minutes 30 seconds.

After a long day on the beautiful WA coast the legendary after party is enjoyed by competitors, sponsors and spectators alike.  We have enjoyed some of WA best weather and had a very exciting 3 days!  As Pete says “What an awesome way to start the season”

This year event was sponsored by Eventscorp, kinetic IT, shire of GinGIn, Bendigo Bank, 92.9 and would not be made possible without the help of all the sponsors involved, the volunteers, the sea search and rescue and the Rock Lobster fishing vessels.