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Weymouth Speed Week 2006
Overall Results
Daily
Results
2nd
October 2006
3rd October 2006
4th October 2006
5th October 2006
6th October 2006
7th October 2006
8th October 2006
The most successful Weymouth Speed Week ever!
The harbour record was broken on the first day by Kitesurfer Nigel Bowley with an amazing 36.85 knot run which was not beaten all week and netted him $1000 prize purse donated by DaKine. The previous record holder Bjorn Dunkerbeck was not there on the day to challenge Nigel as he was on route from the Sylt World Cup event. He arrived champing at the bit to get out and reclaim his title, but other contenders were also hungry for the title including David (Whitey) White the current production world speed record holder. They got within 0.2 of a knot but could not beat Nigel’s time.
With Whitey beating Bjorn by the slimmest of margins only 0.07 of a knot! It was not proving to be Bjorn’s week. But showing the top sportsman that he is, he was the first to congratulate Whitey and vowed to return next year to reclaim his crown.
Other records broken were, the Ladies Harbour Record set by Zara Davis at a very respectable 32.44 knots. The previous record had stood for 22 years, set back in 1984 by Jenna de Rosnay. Zara finished 1st Lady and 18th overall, which considering the company she was keeping, is a result to be proud of.
Dan Simpson the top junior from last year set a new Junior Record at 28.39 knots and won an X15 race sail from Tushingham.
From the boat camp, It was good to see the mighty Basilica, a 40 foot Extreme catamaran with six crew, flying the course with one hull raised and achieving a commendable 27.24 knots.
WSW came under much more of media a spotlight this year, which is great for Speedsailing specifically, and Windsurfing, Kitesurfing and Sailing in general. If you were there look out for yourself on SKY, Extreme sports channel, Discovery and the BBC. We also succeeded in attracting sponsorship from inside and, importantly, from outside of the industry. Maui Jim, provided their polarised sunglasses to the timing and support crew’s and prizes for contestants worth over £3000 and Kangaroo Poo provided clothing and paid for the Saturday night Barbie.
But Weymouth is not all about winning records it is a place that ordinary sailors can pit there skills against each other, achieve their own personal bests and have a great time. This year a record number of 59 contestants achieved over 30 knots. Which goes to show the improvement in equipment and skill that is out there. Its also about experimenting with new Ideas in hull and sail design, the wackiest must be the dinghy with the spinning flettner rotor 'sail' built by Stephen Thorpe which achieved over 5 knots, or perhaps Graeme Fuller's high aspect sail, I know it looks like it was altered in Photoshop, but I assure you it wasn’t.
We also had a new category this year with recognition to the amateurs that take part every year and with a prize of a brand new F2 Missile, the competition was hot. Simon Hinkley was the eventual winner with 34.11 knots. A special mention must go to a local sailor Tony Robinson who won the Rookie category, he has seen WSW running over the years but always thought it was too good for him. With some persuading from his friends and family he showed up gave his best and won a holiday from Club Vass for his trouble. He says he will be back next year to take the harbour record!
Speedsailing one of the simplest sports around you don’t have to be able to tack or jibe you just have to be able to go fast from point A to point B and age is no restriction either. Our youngest contestant was 9 and our oldest was 72. Come next year - what is stopping you? But get in early as we had to turn people away as we were full by August.
Finally the question is.
Winners
Fastest Craft and Kite Overall
Nigel Bowley
36.85K $1000 Cheque*
2nd Fastest Kite
Jeremy Waitte
30.99K Maui Jims
3rd Fastest Kite
Stacy Vass
29.13K Maui Jims
Fastest Pro Windsurfer
David White
36.64K Maui Jims*
2nd Fastest Pro
Windsurfer
Bjorn Dunkerbeck
36.57K Maui Jims
3rd Fastest Pro Windsurfer
John Sanderson
35.76K Maui Jims
Fastest
Amateur Windsurfer Simon
Hinkley
34.11K F2
Missile
2nd Fastest Amateur windsurfer
Robin Penna
33.65kt Naish bag
3rd Fastest Amateur windsurfer
Peter Cunningham 33.17kt
Anemometer
Fastest
Master (+45) Windsurfer Robin
Penna
33.65kt DaKine B/Bag
2nd Fastest Master windsurfer
Pete Davis
32.45kt Gaastra ext
3rd Fastest Master windsurfer
Barry Mason
30.20kt Maui Sails Q/bag
Fastest
Rookie Windsurfer
Tony Robinson
32.29kt Club Vass Holiday
2nd Fastest Rookie
Rupert Fisher
31.97kt
Fiberspar Mast
3rd Fastest Rookie
David Strudwick 31.09kt
Naish Bag
Fastest
Lady Windsurfer
Zara Davis
32.44kt Gaastra ext*
2nd
Fastest lady
Jane Sanderson
24.60kt Naish Harness
Fastest
Junior ( W/end only)
Dan Simpson
28.39kt Tushingham
Sail*
2nd
Fastest Junior
Richard Jones
26.19ktTushingham prize
3rd Fastest Junior
Sam Gooch
26.09kt
Tushingham prize
Fastest
Boat
Basilica 40’ Extreme
27.24kt Maui Jim Glass’s
2nd Fastest Boat
Trifoiler
23.51kt Maui Jim
Glass’s
3rd Fastest Boat
Exojet Exp Cat
15.00kt Maui Jim Glass’s
Fastest Veteran Brian (Bruno) Warner 23.65K Dakine Harness
Most
determined
Junior
Marcus
Partridge
Tushingham Prize
(time on the water)
Wipe out of the week Tony Ireland Stiff neck, double vision and a helmet
*New Harbour Record
Our thanks go to our sponsors and supporters Maui Jim Sunglasses, Kangaroo Poo, Windsurf Magazine, Dakine, F2, Fiberspar, Naish, Thommen T1, Tushingham, Gaastra, Maui Sails, Red Bull, Amateur Yacht Research Society (AYRS), Weymouth & Portland Council and the WPNSA.
Quality pictures available of all competitors from David White at www.k-63.com and Mark Deverell www.racelines.org
Amended 14/10/06