An unusually chilly start under grey skies for the South American Championships for Techno 293 and Raceboard.  Equipment and measurement checks completed, competitors gathered for the briefing wearing jeans and warm hoodies!

Raul Pasqualin is on site to ensure the fairness of the competition.  "It is really nice to see how windsurfing has changed in the last maybe 8 years.  Techno Class has re-born windsurfing from the base which is most important for the kids - we have to focus on the kids - and here in South America it is happening like we planned.  It is great to be here with a Brazilian fleet the best ever in our history and delighted also to see competitors for the first time from Venezuela and Chile; plus everyone from Aruba, Peru, the USA, Chile and Uruguay . . . Of course the largest number here is from Argentina . . . It's really fantastic to be here!"

Top of the leaderboard after two races on day one is Lars Van Sommeren from the Netherlands, perhaps a little more accustomed to chilly conditions, with two second places.  Second overall is Mack van den Eerenbeemt from Aruba who took the bullet in race 1 but a fifth in the second.  Peruvian Maria Belen Bazo is not only first girl but has put in a very consistent performance to be in third place overall.

We also have a female, Brazilian Larissa Ricci Schenker, heading the u-15 fleet - well done girls!  And first u-15 boy is Argentinian Martin Nores.

Great to see ARU/NED and USA using the event to increase preparation for the Worlds in France and the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing.

"Not a typical day today, a little cold?"  "Yes, so cold" said Francisco Saubidet Birkner, ARG-40.  "The first race I was over but the second race was perfect.  Tomorrow will be windy and not cold like today!" Francisco is definitely one to watch.

Over in the Raceboard Fleet 2 Brazilians have joined a strong Argentinian contingent making a total entry of 31.  Martin Berardo trounced the competition with two bullets on day one and Andres Anderson ARG-119 twice crossed the finish line in second place.  Raceboard Masters Fernando Consorte and Marcos Ruesch tussled for third places with one apiece but Marcos has third overall by taking a fourth in race one whereas Fernando dipped for a fifth in race two. 

We have a good mix of age groups ranging from youth to veteran.  Sadly just the one lady but she will no doubt hold her own in this male-dominated fleet.

Hopefully the wind gods will bring a little warmth along with the wind on day two of the competition.  Stay tuned for more!

Results Day One Techno

Results Day One Raceboard

View the Day One Video

Photos by Patrik Pollak