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wMonday, February 11, 2008 | |
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 Langebaan Downwind DashI participated in the Langebaan Downwind Dash last Saturday (South Africa). I wanted to do it for years, but never happened to be in the Cape at that time. It's the longest running down winder event in South Africa on a 17 km course running from Langebaan to Saldanha Bay. Kitesurfers and windsurfers (and even some hobies) compete against each other and the race requires a lot of endurance since you really have to scream downwind for about 30 to 40 minutes! I was quite excited before the start because it was the first windsurfing competition I have ever participated in. Thank god I went for a quick cruise to relax, because my footstrap came loose 10 minutes before the start. I would have never made it past the first mark. In the race on the first leg I felt super, screaming downwind and overtaking a few people. The rest of the race was just a combination of being overpowered, spinning out, losing control on the chop, and struggling through wind holes ... quite hectic. When I arrived there were already quite a few finishers on the beach, all happy to have made it, and so was I. And guess what? I came third in the women's division! There were two kitesurfers before me: Sjoukje Bredenkamp (the kitesurfing speed world record holder) came first and arrived only four minutes ahead of me, Jemma Grobbelaar was second. I am super happy, considering I was on my freestyle kit and never competed before, not to mention a downwind slalom race! Thanks a lot to the organisers and sponsors who made this event happen. P.S.: I think I was the only female windsurfer doing the race. Come on girls, if you are in South Africa (or close ) please come and join next year. It's great fun!!! (photo: windsurfingafrica.org) Maria Lyness-Boesing posted by editors at 2/11/2008 03:49:00 PM |
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