Today turned out to be a regular Corpus Christi windy day! We arrived at the beach for the 11am skippers meeting and it was already well into 11.7 wind on the outside and filling in fast. The race committee wanted to wait for a bit until the wind was filled in over the entire course.
The first start got off about 12:30, I went with my 10.9 as it looked like it was going to build pretty fast. This was close to the right size but being just slightly underpowered I only managed to get to the top mark in fourth place. Gonzalo was first then Jimmy and Phil. We played follow the leader until the last upwind to the finish which was situated in the middle of the course where Jimmy capitalized on Gonzalo’s mistake of over standing the finish and was able to take the win. Gonzalo held off Phil for second and I finished fourth. Not a great start of the day for me but I felt good on my gear and knew the wind would be building.
The second start of the day came after a delay to reset the course but finally got underway. Gonzalo again rounded first at the top mark followed by Jimmy, Phil and me. I was able to pass Phil and Jimmy before the bottom mark but had to settle for following Gonzalo around the rest of the course. Unfortunately because the bottom mark had drifted down wind a ways they had to abandon the race but we did not find this out until we crossed the line.
We took a very short break to reset the course and were straight back out there for the second start, or third start of the day. This time I was plenty powered on my 10.9 and after a good start rounded the top mark in first followed by Gonzalo, Phil and Devon. I had some troubles on the downwind and Gonzalo made it by me before the bottom mark. I worked hard to get back around him but could only manage to get to within about 5 boat lengths at the finish. Devon got Phil before the end for third and fourth while Jimmy had to settle for fifth.
We had a short break for lunch after this race while the wind continued to build. It was looking like 9.8 winds for me, while everyone was switching down I decided to go for broke and stay on my 10.9 as I really needed some good results to finish this regatta off. I was very powered on the first upwind and rounded second behind Gonzalo around the top mark but as soon as I turned it off the wind my extra sail area and the super comfortable ride of my Devil sent me straight past Gonzalo. I rounded the bottom mark with a comfortable lead and held it all the way to the finish line for a bullet. Gonzo was second followed by Jimmy, Chris McGrath from Puerto Rico finding some serious speed then Phil.
Without much of a break we went right into sequence for the last race of the day and event. It was all down to this race of what the top five results would be. Gonzalo had the event pretty much wrapped up as long as he didn’t have an equipment failure or was called over early. I did not have a very good start thanks to Phil shut the door on me. At the top mark Phil was looking like he was going to round in first but a rare mistake from Phil opened the door for me. He sailed a little to far past the lay line giving me the chance to tack underneath him and sneak around the top mark in first. I was still on my 10.9 for the race while everyone else was on 9.8’s and with a small lull in the wind I pulled away on the downwind giving me a comfortable lead at the bottom mark. I was able to sail the rest of the race conservatively and still get the victory followed by Phil, Chris, Jimmy then Gonzalo. Gonzo was quite lucky, just after he crossed the finish line his fin broke off. A few seconds earlier would have meant disaster for him, it was a deserved victory for Gonzalo, he was going very fast here and sailed a smart regatta.
So as hoped there were some big moves made on the last day in the top five. I moved from fourth into second overall for the event, followed by Phil who went from second to third. Then in fourth was Jimmy and fifth was Devon who had an unfortunate last day going from first to fifth. See the rest of the top ten below.
Overall it was one of the best US Opens I have been to. Even though the wind did not really show up the entire weekend with the presence of the kite boarders, skaters and BMXer’s it proved to be a very popular weekend hangout for the locals and tourists. All the sponsors were very pleased with the turn out and the end result and are promising bigger and better things for next year. The venue certainly sets up perfectly for water sports and spectators, plus with all the local support it is the best windsurfing/alternate sports event in the US! Hopefully next year will attract some more sailors!
Men:
1st Gonzalo Cost Hoevel Pryde/Starboard
2ndMicah Buzianis North/Mistral
3rdPhil McGain Gaastra/Starboard
4thJimmy Diaz Pryde/Starboard
5thDevon Boulon Windwing/F2
6th Wilhelm Schurmann Pryde/Starboard
7thSeth Besse North/Mistral
8thBruce Peterson Sailworks/Roberts/Mistral
9thMike Zaijcek Gaastra/Mikes Lab
10thChris McGrath Gaastra/Mikes Lab
Masters
1stPhil McGain Gaastra/Starboard
2ndBruce Peterson Sailworks/Roberts/Mistral
3rdMike Zaijcek Gaastra/Mikes Lab
Grand Masters
1stKen Merten
2ndMichael Johnson
3rdMichael Gueguen
Juniors
1stSeth Besse North/Mistral
2ndGabriel Stamosta North/Mistral
3rdTyler Gibson North/Mistral
