San Francisco served up some classic conditions with a stiff 25-30k breeze and plenty of voodoo chop for the last day of course racing at the US Windsurfing National Championships. For most of the racers there was no shame in using the chicken, double chicken and even super chicken straps to get downwind in one piece. The 9.0’s finally came out and it was survival sailing for most of the fleet to get around the triple windward leeward course set in front of Crissy field and the StFYC.
With 10 races down, and a 1-2 finish on Saturday, I moved up from 9th to 2nd overall as the throwout came in and the scores were adjusted.
After having broke a mast on the first race on Day 1 of the event, I sailed conservatively in the top 5 every race as the rest of the fleet has their share of misfortunes and breakdowns all week. Seth Besse – event winner sailed a near perfect regatta with 9 bullets plus taking the top honors in the slalom discipline- run on Friday in 20-25 knots.
The event also served as the Formula North American Championship qualifying 5 racers for the Worlds later this year in Brazil.
For a detailed race report and photos from the event go to www.stevebodner.blogspot.com
Steve Bodner, USA 4
Check out more photos from US Windsurfing Nationals in San Francisco.
