- 07 February 2012
2012 DOWNUNDER PRO CONCLUDES WITH A NEW CHAMPION.
The 2012 Downunder Pro - Oceanic and Australian Formula Windsurfing Championships concluded on Saturday with an action packed 7 races taking place over the four-day regatta at picturesque Jimmy’s Beach, Hawks Nest. The 58 competitors, including 2x winner of this event from Brasil, Wilhelm Schurmann (NeilPryde), battled through ballistic winds over 30 knots on the first 2 days of racing, despite another 2 agonising days on the beach waiting for the wind with no valid races taking place.
No valid races on the last day of the event left the total at 7 races over the four-day regatta, crowning a new champion from Brasil, Paulo Dos Reis. Schurmann finished 3rd overall and 2nd Master (over 35) division behind World #1 from Brasil, Paul Dos Reis and Jesper Vesterstrøm from Denmark. It was Schurmann’s third time sailing in this part of New South Wales and the Brasilian said about the event:
“We had great conditions and fantastic organisation this year. It was the 3rd year I’ve been back to Hawks Nest and it’s always a surprise to see just how friendly the Australians are on their home turf, making me feel so welcome. The race crew did a fantastic job in sometimes testing conditions, and it was great we could see more international competitors this year, especially from Asia. I kept my promise in that I would bring more Brasilians with me again this year, and I hope I can spread the word about this great event and get even more next time!”.
Schurmann had placed 2nd overall in the Warmup Event the previous weekend at the same location behind Vesterstrøm and ahead of Sean O’Brien. O’Brien was one of the event organisers and defending Australian champion and this year was the first Australian over the line once more, coming in a clear 5th overall and just 2 points behind 4th placed Mathias Pinheiro from Brasil in the Downunder Pro main event. O’Brien becomes the Oceanic and Australian Champion for the 6th time now as international competitors are ineligible for the title. Having raced in Hawks Nest for over 12 years now, O’Brien said of the event:
“We picked this beach to run the event for more than just the quality sailing it produces. It’s got a small town vibe, which is great for families who compete, there’s plenty of other things to do for the non-windsurfers and the conditions this place produces are absolutely World-Class. I had a great event and punishing Mathias in the last race really capped it off for me.”
Brett Morris had a battle on his hands finishing 2nd Australian and 6th overall in the event, just 2 points ahead of Luke Baillie (Neilpryde) from Brisbane. Despite the race crew’s attempts at getting a final lightwind race in to cap off the event, Brett was able to hold on to his 2nd Australian position, despite sitting deep in the standings during the final race attempt today, with Baillie just nipping at the heels of race leaders Schurmann and Vesterstrøm.
A new division for the sailors new to the Formula Windsurfing class called ‘Free Formula’ was run for the fifth time at a National Titles this year. The division allows newer sailors the opportunity to race at the same time as the Pro Division but sail one less lap then the top sailors. This class has seen the biggest growth in the past few seasons with 22 competitors taking part in this year’s event. The division was dominated by Darryl Griffiths from Western Australia, ahead of Tim Ford (JP/Neilpryde) and Adam Craven (JP/Neilpryde).
In the Youth division a World-Class fleet competed with event winner and 2nd time overall champion at this event, Aldo ‘Bebeko’ Maia came all the way downunder from Brasil to finish ahead of Reece Baillie (Neilpryde) and Laird O’Brien (Neilpryde) to take home a new mobile phone from event sponsor, Blackberry. Multiple time Australian titleholder Wayne Bowness won a very contested Grand-Master division ahead of Tim Wood from England but based in New Zealand, and local legend Rick Murray.
After the event concluded on Saturday competitors enjoyed a fantastic meal at ‘Benchmark’ restaurant and function centre as part of the Prize giving Ceremony with major sponsors Qantas and Blackberry handing out a number of new handsets and round-the-world plane tickets to the division winners.
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.
Photo credit:Sean O'brien and Paula De Barros.
