In beautiful Portimao, Portugal the Formula Windsurfing World Championships have concluded after the closely contested seven day event. .
“Racing in conditions ranging from 7 to 28 knots of very gusty and shifty winds on most days, with 1 to 2 metre swells, made for challenging racing.” .
Allison’s time at this year’s World Championships was also devoted to promoting the new Formula Windsurfing One Design (FOD) Class which will hopefully be selected in November 2008 by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) as the windsurfing equipment to be used at the London 2012 Olympics. As the Athlete’s Representative selected on the steering committee, Allison spent most of her time promoting, reporting, racing and helping ten Starboard sponsored sailors to set up and test the FOD equipment during the event. The equipment is a proven perfect One Design class for the Olympics being competitive in the open Formula fleets in six events held this year including the World Championships where racing was held in all conditions ranging from 6 to 30+ knots. While up against rivals with the most advanced Formula racing equipment, Allison was able to show that Formula One Design can be competitive in the open professional Formula fleet, so in that regard “my mission here has been a success and the Formula One Design has proven it’s worth for consideration as the best and most exciting racing equipment for the London 2012 Olympics.”
