UKWA News for 2005

French Nationals - Formula

Over the New Year changes have been occurring in the racing circles that are both exciting and challenging. A new RYA squad has been formed including the top names in Formula racing with a select few from past Olympic campaigns. This team embarked on its first international event, The French Formula Nationals.

UKWA Slalom - Clacton 2005, the Essex Experience

Round One of the 2005 UKWA Slalom Series took place over the weekend of 9th/10th April at the Essex resort of Clacton-on-Sea, and as with all UKWA events it drew a dedicated mix of enthusiastic competitors, organisers and volunteers. One definite requirement would be a warm wetsuit as people were reporting a layer of snow overnight as they arrived.

Web site update

Just a little housekeeping news: The web site has now transfered over to a shiny new server. It has meant totally re-doing just about everything, but hopefully you won't notice too much disruption.

Keith gets silver at French Nationals

Hourtin near Bordeaux was the venue of the 2005 French Formula National Championships. Following a weeks training in the south of France, Keith Atkinson moved up to lake Hourtin for his first European event of the year. He was joined by fellow team-mates from the RYA Olympic squad including Nick Dempsey, the Olympic Bronze Medallist.

French National Formula Champs

It seems the UK contingent are doing pretty well in the French National Formula Championships. Christine & Bryony are 1st & 2nd ladies, and Keith Atkinson & Nick Dempsey are 3rd & 6th. Xavier might be 1st master in 10th place, but it's difficult to tell from the results tables.

Open Formula Training at Pwllheli

Lucy Horwood and Dan Ellis, with the help of Pwllheli Sailing club, will be running a Formula Racing Clinic on Friday (29th April) preceding the Welsh Racing Cup. Much like the previous open training, it will concentrate on the important aspects of racing that will move you up the fleet. (Welsh Cup.)

Freewave date changes

The UKWA has just released a new Freewave Calendar with some minor revisions for the remainder of 2005. The dates, venues and formats of all other UKWA Freewave events remain as previously published, but there are alterations for what counts as championships.

Gwithian freewave

"10 minute freestyle heats were run, where ‘overall impression' is scored. Pro Mens and Amateurs were mixed together and Ladies were mixed with Masters, Youths and Juniors. This provided the amateurs with a taste of the big time - Joel was particularly pleased as it meant he got to lose his heat to Andy King!" Caroline Radway reports...

South West Cup - Formula report

"After a leisurely walk down the beach I got my sails rigged and was ready for action. The funny thing is that thinking you're ready and being ready is totally different. The first event of the year yielded pretty tough conditions." Mark has some good advice and experience with Formula fins.

Jeep Hawaii Pro

The Jeep PWA Hawaii Pro is in full swing, check out the all the highlights on High.tv, Josh Angulo (UK Indoor PWA jump winner) was leading after day 5.

IMCO Class championships

The World "Festival on the Beach" will begin on Wednesday 11th May with the IMCO Class Championships in which the best international windsurf athletes will compete for the European and World Titles. Please note: there's only one day left for pre-entry prices, to guarantee entry at the lower rate. After Thursday, an additional Eur 40 may be payable.

Nick Dempsey wins South West Cup

Nick Dempsey steps from his Olympic IMCO board onto a Formula and wins the first cup event of the year. Joe O'Callaghan moves up from the Raceboard junior to win the full Raceboard fleet, and Liam Round wins the Free Formula Fleet - the youths are coming through!
South West Cup results.

UKWA SIs for 2005

All the rule references have been updated in line with the new (2005-2008) international rules. If you aren't sure what that means, it is probably worth checking out the sailing instructions, as they are the rules governing all the racing on the UK circuit.

Keith Atkinson reports from Calema midwinters

"I flew into Orlando Florida with Wojtek Brzozowski after a long and quite tiring flight from snowy Poland. It was the first big race of year for me, and for most of the other sailors too, so as usual there were a few top pro's showing up to tune their kit for the up and coming racing season.

UKWA Annual General Meeting

On Friday 25th March 2005 the UKWA will be holding its Annual General Meeting at the Cutty Sark, Marazion 20:00 sharp! The agenda has just been released so make sure you read it and come along so you can have your say.