For the first time in nearly 8 years of Formula National Titles held in Australia, no racing was held on the first day of the event with the wind failing to materialise in a consistent direction despite the Race Committee making every attempt to get a race underway. The sailors were kept on stand-by for over 5 hours with the N over AP (end of racing for the day) flag finally hoisted at 5pm allowing the sailors a chance to head home and relax.

3-time Formula World Champion, and event favourite, Steve Allen (Starboard/Severne) from Brisbane, had arrived through the flood-waters of northern NSW to the event site on Monday evening, missing the warm-up event but having an opportunity to get on the water late yesterday on his new Severne Reflex 4 12.5m rig.

Wilhelm Schurmann (Starboard/Neilpryde), multiple-time Downunder Pro winner from Brasil, kept a cool head spending most of the day relaxing out of the blistering sun in the shade with the rest of the internationals including Christian Justesen (JP/Neilpryde) and Jesper Vesterstrøm (Gaastra/Gaastra) both from Denmark.

On the local Australian side, defending champion Sean O’Brien (Starboard/Severne) had a relaxing day hoping the morning forecast of light southerly breezes would be enough to get a race so he could claw back the margins Schurmann and Vesterstrøm had put on him during the warm-up event.

After the end of racing was signalled, 3rd placed Australian in 2012, Luke Baillie (Gaastra/Neilpryde) led a small contingent across to the front beach of Hawks Nest, a beach break on the ocean side of Port Stephens, for a quick surfing session with 4-6 ft waves peeling in on glassy waters with the lack of wind.

The forecast for the next 3 days of racing looks very promising with winds building over the week and the long-range forecast showing a VERY windy day on Saturday for the final day of racing. A lay-day to kick off the event won’t worry too many as there is a good indication that the full quota of 15 races could be run in the next 3 days under the new rules of 5-races per day.

Further information about the FW Oceanic & Australian Championships as well as a media service with press releases, results, rankings, background information and photo/video downloads can be found on the official website www.fw-australia.com.

Contact and further information:

Sean O’Brien

Organising Committee / Media Relations AUSTRALIAN WINDSURFING ASSOCIATION

Phone: 0402 467 857

E-Mail: seanobrien@aus120.com

Internet: www.fw-australia.com