An unusually chilly start under grey skies for the South American Championships. Equipment and measurement checks completed, competitors gathered for the briefing wearing jeans and warm hoodies! [more]
Raul Pasqualin is on site to ensure the fairness of the competition. “It is really nice to see how windsurfing has changed in the last maybe 8 years. Techno Class has re-born windsurfing from the base which is most important for the kids – we have to focus on the kids – and here in South America it is happening like we planned. It is great to be here with a Brazilian fleet the best ever in our history and delighted also to see competitors for the first time from Venezuela and Chile; plus everyone from Aruba, Peru, the USA, Netherlands and Uruguay. Of course the largest number here is from Argentina . . . It’s really fantastic to be here!”
Top of the leaderboard after two races on day one is Lars Van Sommeren from the Netherlands, perhaps a little more accustomed to chilly conditions, with two second places. Second overall is Mack van den Eerenbeemt from Aruba who took the bullet in race 1 but a fifth in the second. Peruvian Maria Belen Bazo is not only first girl but has put in a very consistent performance to be in third place overall.
We also have a female, Brazilian Larissa Ricci Schenker, heading the u-15 fleet – well done girls! And first u-15 boy is Argentinian Martin Nores.
Great to see ARU/NED and USA using the event to increase preparation for the Worlds in France and the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing.
“Not a typical day today, a little cold?” “Yes, so cold” said Francisco Saubidet Birkner, ARG-40. “The first race I was over but the second race was perfect. Tomorrow will be windy and not cold like today!” Francisco is definitely one to watch.
