Last Tuesday I visited the organisers of the IFCA World Championships Almanarre – Hyères in October 2003. They are very keen of having us and are preparing a hell of a job. But it looks easy for them. They have been host for over 15 years for PWA races at their annual Almanarre event and don’t need to go in overdrive to provide a perfect event.

Wind, sun and a nice sandy beach is guaranteed on the beach of Eric Thiemé who was himself playing in the waves while we where going over the program; A steady 20 knot breeze propelled him into some nice table tops, off the lips and forwards. He was even trying some of the newer freestyle tricks. I’m sure the masters will have a serious contender in him.

Claude, Bernard and Michèle of HWO are doing all they can to make sure that also you can have a good time in this “Surfers Paradise”. A private car park for Mobil homes, a wind-sheltered competitors area, water to rinse your gear, showers, toilets, event T-shirt, opening event, mid-week event and closing party, ……..you name it, it’s there.

The race crew, headed by Didier Flamme of the French Sailing Federation is very experienced and ready to give some nice courses for Formula Windsurfing and 2 simultaneous figure of 8 slaloms or one huge downwind slalom depending conditions.

The Freestyle and Wave competitors will be judged by a experience Interantional jury just in front of the HWO- clubhouse so all surfers will have to fight for the 4 World Titles and 8 European Titles to be distributed at this event.

The weather conditions in October in Almanarre are ideal for a Worlds:

– or a 12-18 knot breeze from the west (onshore)

– or a 15-30 knot breeze from the North West (Mistral) (sideshore right)

– or a sea-breeze from the South (sideshore left)

– The water temperature is 23 °C and the air Temperature between 20 and 25 degrees

The event website is life: http://hwo.free.fr/ and will give provide daily reports during the event. Have a look and find some additional info on the event.

Acces by road to the event is easy, I’m sure you know, since most of us have been there before. Transport from the International Airport at Hyères will be provided for all non-European competitors. You can register today online through http://www.internationalwindsurfing.com/default.asp?menu=94&parent=3&grandparent=0

Hope to see you in your shorty in October

Good Winds

Bruno De Wannemaeker

President IFCA