After winning the national grand prix in Vitoria, event that counts towards our brazilian national ranking, I thought my next competition would only be the Grand prix in Fortaleza. But the same night the competition ended, I got a call from my friend Cesar Zavala from Chile, inviting me to go to Chile for their FW nationals the next weekend to defend my title that I won in 2005.

I didn’t hesitate one bit and boarded the plane to Santiago for the event. Juan Carlos Robba, the windsurfing association president came to pick me up in the airport with the great hospitality the Chileans always provide. The same day I did a clinic for about 30 sailors that lasted about 2 hours and was great to see so many keen young and old sailors.

The event was about 1 hour drive from Santiago on lake Aculeo, the lake is a beautiful place with perfect winds for Fomula that kick in around 2pm. About 25 sailors in total came down for the event that was organized by club de formula windsurf chile, nautisport and windsurfchile. On Saturday we went to the water with 10.7 -11 meters sails and at some point it felt a bit big as the gusts where close to 23 knots. On the first race I had a good start and was leading the fleet followed by Matias Seguel, who is currently South American J24 champion and a very tactical sailor, close on his heels was Cesar Zavala who was one of the fastest in the water with the new SB161 and RS6 10.7. As I started the second upwind, I was leading about 100 meters and decided to tack to where it appeared to be the best side, but the local’s new better and by the time I manage to get good winds again, Cesar was rounding the second upwind in first followed by Mathias and I. On the downwind, Mathias that had very good speed downwind, jibed just before a wind shadow and overtook Cesar to the finish to win the first race followed by Cesar, myself and Eduardo Herman. In the second race the wind was stronger and I lead from start to finish but followed closely by Herman, who managed to pass Mathias on the last Jibe to the finish. We went to the beach and where suppose to go back for 2 more races, but the winds had picked up quite strong and 2 sailors had to be rescued which by the time it was done it ended up being to late to race. The next day, the wind simply shut down and it looked like we wouldn’t get a third race to validate the event. Around 7:30pm we were all having a Chori Pan (BBQ) and beer when the race officer sent us to the water as the winds were light but constant around 8-9 knots. At the start it was most sailors opting for a port tack start as it was the windier side of the course, I lead the race until the finish and Herman came in second followed by Mathias. We started the second race (fourth of the event) but the wind dropped and it had to be abandoned, with this I took the event title and Mathias Seguel took the nationals for the first time beating Herman who was the champion for the last two years. Back at the grass beach (perfect for rigging) we continued the BBQ and did the price given after packing everything up.

Once again the event was great and the Chileans made me fell at home.

A special thanks to Cesar Zavalo and Juan Carlos Robba who organized the event in the name of club de formula windsurf chile, windsurfingchile, nautisport and the sponsor PSP, who made it possible for me to make it to Chile.

Next event now is the grand Prix nationals in fortaleza followed by the grand Prix international from the 22nd of November to the 3rd of

December.

Best regards,

Wilhelm Schurmann

Top 10 results:

1. Wilhem Schurman BRA 999 (starboard, neilpryde, oakley)

2. Matias Seguel (national champion 2006) CHI 779 (F2, North)

3. Eduardo Herman CHI 11 (starboard, neilpryde)

4. Cesar Zavala CHI 1 (starboard, neilpryde)

5. Andres Karma CHI 55

6. Jose Miranda CHI 21

7. Juan Carlos Robba CHI 5

8. Roberto Quintana CHI 880

9. Jean Pier Ohaco CHI 52

10.Hans Hartog CHI 8