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Notice 2 / Notice 3 
Tantalising Conditions on Final Race Day in Monsaraz
The final day of competition dawned hot and sunny, but with no wind - perfect barbecue conditions! Competitors were on hold with the first possible warning signal at 1600. By this time the wind had picked up, was coming from the right direction and the Race Committee were ready on the water. A few sailors had optimistically joined them on the water but the wind was unstable, 6 to 8 knots and shifty with holes. By 1640 the wind was tantalisingly close to OK but too many holes particularly to windward brought the call "no more racing today". This signalled the end of the Monsaraz World Festival, congratulations to the champions, and all looked forward to the Prize Giving that evening.
Tristen Kivi (EST-347) was 6 points clear at the top of the leaderboard, ending the championship with an almost perfect score, and claimed the title 2015 Formula Windsurfing Youth World Champion. A hard fought battle between Karl-Erik Saarm (EST-228) and Martin Hovda (NOR-41) meant they finished just one point apart, claiming second and third places respectively on the podium. Casper Jepsen (DEN-35) showed great promise for the future taking the first Junior prize and, also from Denmark, Anissa Mohrath (DEN-85) took the first Woman prize.
Meanwhile over in the masters fleet World Champion Janis Preiss (LAT-23) retained his title to be the 2015 Formula Windsurfing Masters World Champion, another with a near perfect score, three points ahead of his close rival Fernando Delgado (ESP-71) who took silver on the podium. Portuguese Miguel Martinho (POR-5) missed the first day of racing due to illness, but managed to kick Pieter Eliens (NED-52) off the podium to claim third place. First Grandmaster was Arvydas Moliusis (LTU-789).
All that is left now is to thank the organisers Associacao Formula Windsurfing Portugal (APFW) in co-operation with Clube de Vela de Lagos and all involved, ashore and afloat, in staging a great event in a superb location.
In the words of Anissa Mohrath: "Cannot believe it. I am now Women's Champion in Formula Windsurfing 2015. I was told from the organisers that they loved to see me race because they could see how much I enjoyed it. I came to Lagos to have fun, to be socialised with windsurfers from all around the world and didn't expect to win, and at the end I find myself on the podium as number one with two other amazing women who really deserve their 2nd and 3rd place. Congrats to everyone (also the Youth, Junior, Masters and Grandmasters)and thanks to the Clube de Vela de Lagos for giving me such a unforgettable experience."
11 races by the end of Day Four in Monsaraz
Another fine start to a racing day but hopes of the wind kicking in early contradicted the wind forecast of wind arriving late. It was going to be yet another long day and the skippers meeting was set for midday, first possible warning signal at 1400, then there was a postponement to 15.00, although racing was unlikely to start until very late, maybe 18.00. However, AP came down just after 16.00 with winds of 10-12 knots but after being sent out around 17.00 the result was a 'false start'. The wind initially picked up, then dropped away, and after a long delay waiting on the water the sailors were sent ashore to wait for suitable conditions.
As expected the wind conditions did improve - even as the sailors were returning to shore! With enough time still to get 2 'back to back' races completed for all divisions, at 18.30 we went into racing sequence. With 2 further races the third and final discard came into play and podium positions looked settled. The prospect of further races on the final day looked unlikely.
Estonian Tristen Kivi consolidated his place at the top of the youth fleet with 2 bullets. Only one point now separated 2nd and 3rd placed youth, Karl-Eric Saarm (EST) and Martin Hovda (NOR). Leading Junior, under 17 years of age, was Denmark's Casper Jepsen, who had finished mid fleet in all 11 races. In the women's fleet the day belonged to Margit Germany from Austria who, after equipment failures earlier in the contest, had to resort to competing on her smaller, and older, change down sail.
Over in the 12.5 fleet the battle between current champion Janis Preiss (Latvia) and Fernando Martinez (Spain) continued - each winning a race. Miguel Martinho, from neighbouring Portimao, continued his recovery from his day one absence to move up into 3rd overall - posting two 3rd places in the races the day before.
Top 3 in each division:
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Youth 1st Tristen Kivi (Estonia) |
Master 1st Janis Peiss (Latvia) |
Women 1st Anissa Mohrath (Denmark) |
Delayed start on day 3 at Monsaraz Festival of Formula in Lagos, Portugal
A late start meant a late finish, especially for the masters fleet. Shortly after 5.00, local time, the AP came down as 15-17 knots was recorded over the race area. 2 races were eventually run, "back to back", for all divisions which only left time for one final race for masters to complete the day and catch up with the other fleet.
9 races are now completed for all and podium positions are beginning to look secure for some riders ...
In the Masters division, World Champion Janis Preiss from Latvia did not have it all his own way - 2 first places, but beaten into second in the first race of the day by Fernando Martinez from Spain. However, Preiss maintains his 3 point lead over his close rival who looks secure in silver position. But catching up fast is Miguel Martinho from Portugal - Pieter Eliens from the Netherlands, currently in third place, will be casting a worried look over his shoulder and hoping not to repeat his result from the last race of the day!
In the grandmaster division, Arvydas Moliusis from Lithuania, despite a DSQ in race maintains a clear lead over rivals Andrea Volpini (Italy) and Ricardo Conde (Brasil) .
Over in the youth division the 3 leading sailors look safe for a podium position but who will take which place? It's anyone's championship to win. Martin Hovda from Norway continued his improvement and posted the best results of the 3, with a first in the final race of the day.
However, the top 10 looks very strong and this augers well for the future of youth formula racing..
In the Women's division all finished their races and the top 3 look set in their positions:
1st - Anissa Mohrath (Denmark)
2nd Ketije Birzule (Latvia)
3rd Margarida Gil Morais (Portugal)
Late Finish for the Monsaraz Festival of Formula in Lagos, Portugal
An earlier start than day one but the same late finish led to a long day for all racers. At the skippers meeting the Race Officer confirmed the intention of following the same course as day 1 with 2 races back to back followed by a further 2 races back to back after a rest ashore. Fleet 1 including youth and women were to race on the outer loop and fleet 2 (seniors/masters) on the inner, bigger, loop.
The wind was shiftier and gustier than the day before, testing both the Race Committee and the competitors. 4 races for the youth and women were completed by the end of the day but only 3 races were possible for the masters and seniors. Mid way through the first race of the day for masters the wind conditions were so variable the Race Officer abandoned the race. The delayed restart meant they were playing "catch-up" throughout the day.
Current World Champion, Janis Preiss from Latvia, had a perfect day recording 3 first places. The following pack of potential podium places all recorded variable results.
Local hero Miguel Martinho made it off his sick bed to record 2 seconds and a third after missing yesterday's racing. He will be hoping for a minimum of 11 races to allow him to discard day 1!
In the grandmaster division Arvydas Moliusis from Lithuania maintained a consistent set of results to keep ahead of Brasilian rival Ricardo Conde.
In the youth division 3 first places for Tristen Kivi from Estonia ensured he kept ahead of his rival Karl-Erik Saarm, extending his lead to 4 points. Martin Hovda from Norway had a good day and moved up from 5th to 3rd overall, now just two points behind Saarm.
Youngest, and by far the lightest, competitor from Norway, Helle Oppedal, continues to impress by finishing all but one of her races, despite some challenging conditions.
Full results
Day 2 gallery
Monsaraz World Festival of Formula Windsurfing Kicks Off
2nd best for current world champions after day 1 at the Monsaraz World Festival of Formula Windsurfing . . .
3 races were completed for all fleets/divisions on day 1 of the Monsaraz World Festival Formula Windsurfing 2015 organised by the Associacao Formula Windsurfing Portugal (APFW) in co-operation with, and hosted by, Clube de Vela de Lagos. This is a perfect location for formula racing with good winds and flat water predicted, and the organisers prepared a very nice opening ceremony - followed by a fantastic buffet. "Amazing place, people and sailing club, and very very good food."
A trapezoid course was set - Fleet 1 including the women and youths, racing the outer loop, starting first with Fleet 2 for seniors and masters on the inner loop. As predicted, racing got under way mid afternoon in 14/15 knots and race 1 for fleet 1 was finished in 16 minutes. The wind continued to build gradually to 16/18 knots for the next race then up to 18/20 knots providing excellent racing conditions.
At the end of the day, 2014 World Champions Latvian Janis Preiss (master) and Estonian Karl-Erik Saarm (youth) both had to settle for 2nd best, despite each winning 1 race. In the masters fleet Fernando Martinez, Spanish champion, put in a storming performance with 2 bullets and a 2nd place to place him top of the overall ranking in fleet 2. In the youth fleet fellow Estonian Tristen Kivi pipped Saarm to first place in the final 2 races of the day.
However competition will be close amongst the top riders in each fleet throughout this championship. Stay tuned!
Top 3 Youth
EST-347 Tristen Kivi 4 pts
EST-226 Karl-Erik Saarm 6 pts
DEN-15 Mads Jepsen 12 pts
1st Junior DEN-35 Casper Jepsen
1st Woman DEN-85 Anissa Mohrath
Top Three Master
ESP-71 Fernando Martinez
LAT-23 Janis Preiss
NED-52 Pieter Eliens
1st Grandmaster LTU-789 Arvydas Moliusis
Full results
Day 1 photo gallery
Event facebook link
Great news from Vasco Chaveca who is organising the Monsaraz World Festival of Formula in Lagos, Portugal.
Additional sponsorship has been raised and the following prize money will now be distributed to the top 3:
Overall 1500 euro / Masters 1500 euro / Women 1500 euro
Additionally we have great product prize for the Youth champion - AL360 Windsurfing Tools have donated a formula boom!
Boards to Rent
Patrik Formula Board V3 are available to rent (charter) for duration of the Championship at 350EUR . Any interested competitors have to confirm the order and made the payment by the 31st March 2015. The competitor will sign a renting contract to be responsible to pay any damage they could do on the board.
At the end of the Championship the boards will be available to purchase for the price of 800EUR
Contact - Vasco Chaveca - vchaveca@allgav-it.pt
Accommodation Deals / Marina Club
2015 MONSARAZ WORLD FESTIVAL CHAMPIONSHIP (OVERALL)
This event is open to formula racers of all ages - those senior men (20-24 years) that are not eligible to compete for youth or master world titles may still enter and compete for the title -"2015 Monsaraz Festival Champion". The results from the event shall be included in the 2015 European Cup series.
