The Club Mykonos Langebaan Annual Downwind Dash started as planned at 15h00, with the wind blowing a steady 18-23 knots SSW.
Greg Thijsse lead most of the way, but Sebastian Cattelan and Alex Caizergues (who had a late start) caught up with him at the famous iron awe jetty. The two French riders were on dedicated directionals built for this type of event, and Greg Thijsse was on his standard twintip Custom Cabrinha board (and flying his Cabrinha Switchblade 12). Carl Rohwer from the Strand board snapped and had to retire before the end of the race. Phill Marchant also had a late start and managed to still take a placing at the end of the race. The kite sizes varied from 7's to a 17 Cabrinha Contra. The windsurfers did well with the front runners, but could not hold their ground due to the wind speed that had dropped. The kiters got the advantage of catching the high wind on their bigger kites.
The first lady in was Sjoukje Bredenkamp who had a phenomenal race to beat more than half of the men’s field. The youngest entrant Lydé Heckroodt (a 12 year old female) who has only been kiting for 2 months came in at 46.53min and took an 89th placing. Her brother Colin Heckroodt was also the first Junior Competitor to reach the finish line in 17th place.
The prize giving and after party was at the Marina at Club Mykonos just outside Langebaan where Sebastian took top honors of the Captains Wheel. A fish braai sponsored by I&J was organised for the competitors, after which many kiters started drinking Jagerbombs and ended up at Flamingo's with Tequila and beers.
The event was well organised, and its looking as if the kiters are giving the pole benders a good run lately. Well done to everyone who entered!
Source:
Brad Symington - Downwindshuttle.com
Herewith the results as follows: (min.)
Place No Name Time
1 53 Sebastian Cattelan K 23.40
2 61 Alex Caizergues K 23.50
3 108 Arnon Daga W 24.02
4 16 Greg Thijsse K 24.25
5 8 Daniel Rey K 24.45
6 132 Anthony Berzack K 24.53
7 131 Renier Olivier K 25.31
8 20 Craig Gertembach W 25.52
9 12 Alan Steele K 25.54
10 2 Deon Malherbe K 26.07
