Weymouth Speed Week is the longest-running speed event on the planet. Started in 1972 by Sir Timothy Colman (yes he of Colman’s Mustard) it soon got a reputation for fast speeds, innovation and pushing the boundaries of what could be achieved with sail power. That heritage lives on, it may not be as big as its Johnny Walker sponsorship heyday and in speed terms has been overtaken by purpose-built speed strips in France and Namibia. But it still draws the best speed sailors from all over Europe and beyond. Guaranteeing wind is hard in the UK. So the event is always held in October to try and tap into the high winds generated by low-pressure systems that come through that time of year. The forecast for the 2019 opening day looked light but the rest of the week looked good. The big question however was would the event harbour record of 38.44 knots, set by Anders Bringdal in 2008 go? The first prize-giving was for the youth fleet,who only race on the weekend, and was sponsored by Boardwise. The battle for the top spot from last year between Tyler Baker and James Faley started all over again. This year the skill level of all the riders went up through the roof. The result could not have been closer with Tyler taking the top spot at 30.85 knots and James only 0.3 of a knot behind. From Sunday the lead for fastest speed of the week changed hands every day and it was fantastic to see the new generation of windsurfers showing how good they have become. Ahead of a very experienced fleet was young 19 year old Scotty Stallman with a very impressive 34.43 knots set on very choppy water on a course in the harbour due to the southerly wind direction. Then on Monday 22-year-old James Battye took it up to just under 35 knots in knee-high chop. Wednesday onwards the wind changed direction to southwest, which allowed for a flat beach course to be set along the causeway.
This story is from the Issue 392 - January/February 2020 edition of Windsurf.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Issue 392 - January/February 2020 edition of Windsurf.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
New School
Slingshot’s windsurfing brand manager, Wyatt Miller, has noticed that kids are drawn to playing with wings and puts forward an interesting case as to why he thinks this could help entice them and others into windsurfing.
Changes
Wave sailor Flo Jung reflects on our changed world during his lockdown in Germany.
THE LAST WAVE
Lockdown stirred the creative juices of reader Björn Alfthan, who peers into the future to present a fictional story set in the wild waves of Norway, five years from now.
STILL IN THE GAME
After a horrific fracture in his leg from a crashed aerial in 2018, Alessio Stillrich is back! John Carter talks to the highflyer from Gran Canaria about his move to the Simmer team, recovering from injury and how he learned to windsurf in Gran Canaria!
MOVE ON UP - GET ON THE FRONT FOOT
This month we look at how our front foot weighting can affect and improve different aspects of our main windsurfing moves.
SOUTH' KIPA
Nik tweaking it over home waters.
A NEW NORMAL
On a trip to La Tranche-sur-Mer in France last year, Tris Best estimated over 80% of the windsurfers were foiling. This summer in Portland Harbour, foiling activity has increased dramatically too he reports. With the market offering plenty of choice to recreational windfoilers, our test team check out some of the latest foil offerings.
TACKING – THE SEQUEL
Having given you time to practice, Harty concludes his tacking series by critiquing various tacking options, including the carve tack, as well as offering solutions to common slip-ups.
‘NO VAPOUR TRAILS TO SCAR THE SKY' *
Realising we may be about to enter an extraordinary period in our lives, Harty decided to keep a windsurf-centric lockdown diary. Here are some of his choice excerpts.
REDEMPTION DAY!
Renowned for its windsurfing and variety of spots to sail at, Kimmerdige Bay is a wave sailing jewel on the south coast of England. Timo Mullen gives a guide to its shores while reflecting on why a recent session there was a reminder that there is no place like home!
