Windsurfing World Championship in Florida starts Saturday

Published on October 30th, 2014

Best possible conditions are expected when the 2014 World Championships in ISAF-class Kona One is about to start in Islamorada, Florida on Saturday, November 1. A total of 115 sailors from five continents will line up making it the largest Kona event ever. The outcome is very open with a number of high-profiled sailors with multiple international championship wins in different windsurfing classes.

The favorites are found on both sides of the Atlantic. Among the North American favorites are Nevin Sayre, this year’s North American Kona Champion and former race board World Champion together with names such as Ron Kern, Karen Marriott and Tinho Dornellas needing little further presentations.

Among the Europeans participating, two names stand out. First is Danish windsurfing legend Tim Aagesen who has won a number of world championships during three decades in several windsurfing classes. Second is Swedish super talent Andrea Holm (18 year). She won the silver medal in the Kona Europeans earlier this summer, ahead of all the guys, and was close to win the Kona Worlds already last year. Only an OCS stopped her.

“We welcome every racer to Islamorada where we aim to offer the best Kona Championships ever making it a memorable event, for racers and spectators,” Michael Fox, event chairman comments.

Kona One is one of the fastest growing windsurfing classes globally attracting both young talents and experienced sailors with long international windsurfing careers. It is a one design class where all sailors use identical boards. One sail is used in all conditions. Body weight differences are equalized accordingly with sail size to give as fair conditions possible, relying on true sailing skills and tactics by the elimination of pumping.

“Florida Keys and Islamorada offer very good racing conditions this time of the year. The lightest reports are 8-10 knots. If we get an early season front moving through, we will have some high wind racing. At the very least, the winds should easily be Kona winds,” Michael Fox continues.

The event will take place in sailing mecca Islamorada, October 31-November 5. Opening ceremony will be held on Friday, October 31. Racing is planned for November 1-5.

Event site: http://class.konaone.com/event/210/2014-kona-world-championships

Source: Daniel Nordlund, Kona One