Amazing, Awesome, magical, these are just some of the words that I would use to describe the best ever nationals and event that I ever been to.
The 5th Brazilian Formula Nationals took place in the beautiful island of Fernando de Noronha, the island is situated about 100 miles of the coast of Brazil (north) and is one of the prettiest national park that we have.
More than 120 sailors met in Recife on the 8th of June to board the charted flight that would take us to paradise. After a 1 hour flight we circled the island before landing and none of us could believe the view, blue water and white sandy beaches surround the island which is green with tropical vegetation.
The island supports only a number of tourists, so with over 120 sailors + wives, girlfriends and sons, the island had an increase of about 10% on its population.
Most of the equipment was sent by boat a few days before since it would not fit on the plane, and when we got there everything was under a huge tent waiting for us, the structure was perfect and even board racks where constructed to support all the boards. There are all kind of accommodations in the island and most sailors opted for the guest houses which charge about 10-20 U$ dollars a night including a delicious breakfast.
After an awesome open ceremony with dinner in the Pousada do Ze, most sailors went for an early sleep to wake up the next day and explore the island as this was going to be the last day before racing began.
Most sailors went diving on the day before competitions, as under water, Fernando de Noronha is heaven, we saw all kinds of underwater creatures, sharks, rays, lobsters, turtles, plenty of fish and dolphins. The island has a bay that is called the dolphin bay and hundreds of dolphins live there, apparently there are only few places in the world where this happens.
The Nationals started on the 10th with good strong winds ranging from 20 to 28 knots.
Paulo dos Reis (Paulão BRA 3333) dominated the first day taking 3 bullets on the 3 races of the first day, I (Wilhelm Schurmann BRA 999) finished with 3 seconds, Marc Conrad BRA 171 with 3 thirds and Leo (Leonardo Rebello BRA 121) with 3 fourths.
The conditions where difficult on the first day, and most sailors where on 9.8.
The time limit for the last possible start was always at 2 pm, since security was a main concerned for the organizers, this actually was great as it gave the rest of the afternoon to look around the island some more.
Almost every one met for dinner at a place called bills, where you paid around 4 euros, to eat all you wanted.
The next day the winds dropped slightly to around 18 knots and 4 races where run starting at 9:30 am.
Paulao, again took the lead and finished in first followed by Marc, and myself.
On the second, third and fourth race of the day, I managed to finish in first followed closely by Paulao, Marc, Leo, Gabriel Bra307 and Mathias Pinheiro BRA 5.
On the Saturday 12th we went to the water for the last 3 races of the nationals, with myself 1 point behind Paulao, the battle was on for first place, while Marc was in third, Leo in fourth and Gabriel, Mathias and Pablo BRA 6 fighting out for the top 5 spot.
On the first race with winds around 12 knots, I went over early with Paulao leaving Marc to take the race followed by Gabriel Starosta. On the second race I came first followed by Paulao and Marc. At this rate, Paulao and I where tied with 4 firsts each, 1 over early each and one 3rd each.
It came down to the last race to decide the National champion. Paulao had a bad start and tacked straight away to get of the dirty wind, by the time I saw him, I tacked to cover him, but it was to late, he managed to be in a good position and got a good shift heading upwind and by the time a caught the same wind I was behind him, he controlled the race until the end and crossed the finished line in first to take his first Formula Brazilian national title. Pablo Thiago had a superb racing and finished in second in front of me to secure him the 5th position over all by one point.
Every one packed up the gear after the race to send it back to the mainland by ship, except the top 11 finisher who where selected to do the Round the Island Race the next day (55 kilometers long, clocked by a GPS).
On Sunday we had a quick skipper meeting for the round the island race and by 11:30 am we started out. The race was incredible, passing through some rough waters at times and flat blue water on de leeward side. We saw sharks, whales, dolphins and lots of flying fish. Pablo who was leading by 2 minutes half way through the race, sailed into a rain cloud which had light winds and gave me the opportunity to catch up to him, followed by Paulao, in the leeward of the island I managed to get some good winds close to the coast while most sailors opted in going further out. In the end it paid out and I crossed the finishing line in 1 hour and 49 minutes, Pablo Thiago came close in second 2 minutes behind followed by Marc and Paulao.
We had an award ceremony at night and the next day all of us went to the airport for the chartered flight back.
The organizer of the event, Marcelo Lacerda and Homero Lacerda, are 2 racers that are crazy for the sport, they put so much dedication to this event that I have never seen it before, the result was, a super organized event, great conditions, friendly people and above all done in paradise. Thanks again Marcelo and Homero.
The event will happen again next year and its open for all sailors, make sure you come down, you wont regret it.
Official results:
Brasilian nationals
Open Men
1. Paulo dos Reis (Paulao) BRA 3333
2. Wilhelm Schurmann BRA 999
3. Marc Conrad BRA 171
4. Leonardo Rebello (Leo) BRA 121
5. Pablo Thiago BRA 6
Master
1. George Rebello BRA 2
2. Luiz Fernando Urubu BRA 100
3. Elizeu Vieira
Super Master (45+)
1. Luciano Barreto BRA 11
2. Renato Pozolo BRA 302
3. Marcelo Lacerda
Grand Master (55+)
1. Homero Lacerda
2. Marcelo Miranda
Junior
1. Dulter Mont BRA 39
2. Daniel Santana BRA 321
3. Elias Seadi 344
Sport
1. Paulo Carvalho
2. Marcelo Mendes
3. Wellington Barros
Women
1. Valeria Matuck BRA 704
2. Christiane Matoso BRA 28
3. Ana Paula BRA 2688
Long Distance
1. Wilhelm Schurmann
2. Pablo Thiago
3. Marc Conrad
