2022 Windsurfer Class Worlds in Mondello Sicily
380 young and old competitors at the 2022 Windsurfer Class Worlds in Mondello Sicily including MHYC sailor David West
Many Middle Harbour sailors will have great memories of windsurfing in the late 70’s and 80’s, hanging ten on a mild zephyr and ‘doing it standing up’. Last week over 380 competitors from 24 countries, including 35 Australians, many Olympians, past world champions, wave sailing legends and one MHYC member, David West, rekindled that spirit in the 2022 Windsurfer Class World Championships. READ MORE
Held in the clear, turquoise waters of Mondello in Sicily, surrounded by tall volcanic rock formations, competition was a spectacle of colour held in 4 disciplines: course racing, slalom, freestyle and a long distance marathon.
Italian race management and competitor aspirations were tested to the max in conditions that, whilst warm and picturesque, rarely exceeded 6 knots.
Since an update to the classic old windsurfer to the lighter but same shaped Windsurfer LT, the class has enjoyed a phenomenal resurgence globally with sailors of all ages. Very encouraging in Mondello was the number of young sailors in the under 15 and under 19 youth classes and over 70 women competing. The biggest age classes however were the 50-59 and 60 to 69 years groups that, despite their age, are still achieving great results and reliving long standing rivalries.
Racing was very competitive across all divisions but embraced the ‘windsurfer spirit’ both on and off the water. Many new memories and friendships were made, especially amongst the Australian team who supported and celebrated with each other during the week long competition with beer, great Italian food and legendary stories.
Best of the Australians were: Michael Lancey 2nd overall in medium heavy division, Rohan Cudmore 4th medium heavy division , Tim Gourlay 4th in lightweights. Local sailors Mat and Paul Ivshenko, Stuart Gilbert, Kevin Wadham, Scotty O’Connor, Mark Paul, Rob Stenta, Martin French and Simon Jones all finished in the top half of their divisions most in the top 20. MHYC’s David West finished a creditable 20th in his division given his broken thumb in the Gold Coast Race just prior to the event.
The next Worlds are to be held in Perth 27 December 2023-3 Jan 2024 so there’s plenty of time for more MHYC members to brush up on the old boardsailing skills and re-live the Windsurfer spirit in WA at the end of next year.
Full Results Here
