Entries Tagged 'Uncategorized' ↓

Alum Creek Columbus, OH

May 22nd, 2011 — Uncategorized

The Alum Creek waters on May 21, 2011 saw warm sunny skies.   The light to ultra-light wind conditions made for some delicate sail trimming to find speed.    The first race I believe I counted ten sails on the water.   Organizer Paul Sandstrom manged to get five races in.  With the sun shining strong on white skin most of us were a bit toasted by the end of the afternoon.    A few other guys elected to remain on shore and wait for better winds with their smaller un-long boards.   Official fleet results 

Fleet Score
1st Brad Petot 818                56pts  LB
2nd Mark Drotleff  88             52pts  LB
3rd Paul Sandstrom 158        49pts  LB
4th Scott Haas  H                 47pts RB
5th Saul Muliolis                   42pts Sport
6th Gorddon Bittle                 37pts RB
7th Eric Rahnenfuehrer  136   32pts LB
8th Joe Centa                       14pts Sport
9th Joel Sminchak  US418      4pts Sport
10th Jerry Ciula                      3pts LB
11th Brant Fredrickson            2pts LB

Some racers head in for lunch break.

Brad Petot from the Cleveland area on a Equipe and Gaastra 9.0 took first place.  He was hitting the start line on time and finding speed in those light winds others could not. 

Brad dancing with his sail.

Second place from Columbus area was Mark Drotleff.    Marked sailed and pumped his KONA using his Aerotech VMG 7.5.   I was surprised how well the KONA got around the course.    Mark is good however at making any board go fast.    One other KONA board was there also.   

Gordon Bittle sailing his new Prodigy finished all the races.

Third place went to IMCO sailor Paul Sandstrom from Columbus OH area.  Paul’s lightweight frame let’s that old board and 7.4 IMCO sail climb upwind fast.

This windsurfer smiles for the camera while Paul takes a break on his IMCO.

Scott Haas from Toledo OH area sailing a Prodigy with an Ezzy Infinity 9.5 finish in forth place.      With five races in the group decided to make this a one day event as   wind conditions for early Sunday morning were not looking  promising.   Some of the group went to a local establishment named Piranhas for eats and drinks afterwards.

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Big Winds at Walleye Wagatta

May 16th, 2011 — Uncategorized

 

Twenty hearty sailors competed in big winds and choppy water on Lake Winnebago this weekend at the 2011 Walleye Wagatta. The temperature wasn’t very warm but the winds kept rolling in and the racing action heated up.

Racers were tested with course racing on Saturday- the famous “M” course with upwind legs, multiple reaches and jibes, and a broad downind run to the leeward mark. Winds varied from the lower teens to the mid-twenty mph range throughout the five racers that were completed. Race Five, the last of the day, was particularly challenging as a big gust rolled through during the top reaching leg. Only 15 year-old Magnus Zaunmueller was able to keep it together through that leg, giving him an early lead that he held on to all the way to the finish. Also impressive was a win for Ted Schweitzer in Race 2, sailing on an Original Windsurfer setup – especially since winds were 15-20 mph during the race. It’s one thing to get top notch speed out of a kit like that in a light breeze, but it takes incredible talent to stay competitive in stronger winds like this! Yet another example that it’s the sailor that makes the difference far more than the gear.

The winds came in even stronger on Sunday with gusts over 30 mph and even larger swell. The temps were still cool, mid 50F at best, but the sun was a welcome sight after a cloudy Saturday. A Figure 8 slalom course was set to take advantage of the strong winds, and also give us the ability to run the start/inside jibe/finish line right off the beach and do Race Committee from shore.

The wind was a bit lighter on the inside of the course at the start/finish line, but the wind on the outside was gusting over 30 mph. The key was to stay in control through the outside jibes, and Tim Cleary showed how to do it as he won both SlalomRace 1 and SlalomRace 2. Kevin Gratton used his homecourt advantage (he lives across the street from the race site) to win SlalomRace 3 and also SlalomRace 5. Magnus Zaunmueller again showed that he can keep up with the big boys by winning SlalomRace 4.

Gatis Makstenieks was the top sailor in the Sport Fleet, finishing all five slalom races, no small feat considering the challenging conditions. Other notable performances were Peter Hartwich completing all five slalom races (with three 2nd place finishes) on his IMCO setup, Kathy Leifer’s 2nd place in SlalomRace 4, and Don Altmeyer following up his 2nd place in SlalomRace 3 with the slam of the day during SlalomRace4. Don got slammed so hard that his harness tore apart in 3 or different places on impact. He said the harness was getting old but we’re just glad he didn’t get hurt. I saw him pickup a new harness at Windpower after the races, so he’ll be even faster now – but hopefully won’t crash harder 😉

The A fleet had a lot of competition at the top with four different sailors winning the five course races on Saturday, and three different sailors winning the five slalom races on Sunday. Only Magnus won both a course race and a slalom race (1 each). Adam Anderson won two course races Saturday and both Kevin Gratton and Tim Cleary won two slalom races each on Sunday. After all this racing, Magnus Zaunmueller had the consistency and top finishes to come away with the win. Congratulations to Magnus, I think this his first overall win at a MOWIND event. With the way he his sailing there will probably be many more to come.

Kevin Gratton finished in second place overall (also 2nd in the 8.5 Limited class behind Magnus). Adam Anderson finished 3rd overall, Peter Hartwhich finished 4th, and Don Altmeyer 5th. Gatis Makstenieks finished 1st in Sport Fleet.

COMPLETE RESULTS

2011 Walleye Wagatta A Fleet Scores

2011 Walleye Wagatta SPORT Fleet Scores

 

Picasa Photo Album (May 14 photos courtesy of Larry Reed)

2011 Walleye Wagatta

 

Another Picasa Photo Album (May 15 photos of slalom racing courtesy of Del Carpenter)

2011 Walleye Wagatta (Slalom)

 

I would like to thank Kevin Gratton at Windpower Windsurfing for the use of his equipment and facilities as well as his advice and effort in setting up this event. Thanks also to the rest of his team: Mary, Hook, Andy. A shout out also to “Low Boom” Larry Reed for helping on the committee boat, my family Wayne and Adam for helping throughout the weekend, and Del Carpenter for assisting with follow-up activities. He took pictures during Sunday’s racing and we will get those pictures onto the MOWIND Picasa album as soon as we can.

Most of all, thanks to all of the racers that showed up despite the cold and forecasts of rain. I don’t think we got any rain the whole weekend of racing, but we did get wind. A lot of it.

See you at the Dam Jam next weekend!

Arden, EL-11

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Notice of Race: 2011 Walleye Wagatta

April 29th, 2011 — Uncategorized

The 2011 Walleye Wagatta is all set for May 14-15, 2011 on windy Lake Winnebago in Fond du Lac, WI. The race site is across the street from Windpower Windsurfing center and there is plenty of room for racers to rig, families to hang out, spectators, and anyone else who wants to come check it out. Windpower even has room for people to camp Saturday night, just watch out for the bonfire!

The Walleye Wagatta is a low cost, no-frills event. Only $15 entry for two days of racing and FREE for Junior racers (under 18). Registration on-site Saturday morning beginning at 9:00 am. Skippers meeting to follow at 10:30 am.

Follow the links for the official Notice of Race with registration form, directions, and more information.

Regatta Page on the MOWIND website

Direct link to the Notice of Race

I’ll see you there!

Arden Anderson, EL-11

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Three MOWIND events added to the National Race Tour

April 20th, 2011 — Uncategorized

I’m happy to announce that three MOWIND events have been added to the 2011 US Windsurfing National Race Tour (NRT).

  1. Saylorville Dam Jam May 20-22
  2. Moose Regatta June 25-26
  3. Door County Breeze July 1-3

US Windsurfing wants to incorporate the fun and excitement of these successful MOWIND events into the NRT, and the addition of these events helps increase the presence of the windsurfing in the Midwest throughout the rest of the country.

MOWIND will now host a total five events on the NRT as the Worthington Windsurfing Festival and the Windpower Championships remain on the NRT schedule as they have been for several years.

– Arden Anderson, Great Lakes Regional Director to US Windsurfing

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2010 Midwest Speed Quest Final Report

October 18th, 2010 — Uncategorized

Hello Everyone,

The 2010 Midwest Speed Quest on Lake Okabena, Worthington Minnesota is over. This was a great year, with many new racers participating. It is time to announce the Final Results.

We follow the rules and methods of International Speed Sailing. Our GPS units are the most precise hand held units available. Our speeds can be compared to other Speed Sailors around the World. And the Prize Money remains the best in North American Speed Sailing.

The racers competed in this event by wearing a LOCOSYS GT-31 GPS. The speeds were calculated using Doppler positional measurements, and are based on the “Best Ten Second Run”. The GPS data was entered into a computer, and the data was carefully analyzed. Speeds were calculated to .01 knots with great precision. The tools and methods used were consistent with International Speed Sailing Events, and GPS Speed Surfing.

And The Final Results are:

First Place: Andrew Anderson, Oakland CA 35.4 knots (40.71 mph)

Second Place David Knight, Fridley Minnesota 32.8 knots (37.72 mph)

Third Place Arden Anderson, Fon du Lac, Wisconsin 32.73 knots (37.64 mph)

Fourth Place Adam Anderson, Eagen Minnesota 31.2 knots (35.88 mph)

Fifth Place Ed Melechson, Papillion, Nebraska 30.08 knots (34.59 mph)

Congratulations to the winners, Andrew has the fastest speeds ever recorded on Lake Okabena. Andrew will receive $1000. David will receive $500, Arden $250, Adam $125, and Ed $75.  Certified Checks will be issued this week.

6th Place Magnus Zaunmueller, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin 27.12 knots (31.19 mph)

7th Place Ken Gacke, Brandon, South Dakota 26.88 knots (30.91 mph)

8th Place Jeff Hegwer, Mason City, Iowa 26.75 knots (30.76 mph)

9th Place Jason Swanson, Bigelow, Minnesota 26.45 knots (30.42mph)

10th Place Wayne Anderson Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin 24.68 knots (28.38 mph)

These races will receive their choice of a LOCOSYS GT31 GPS, a Gath Safety Helmet, or a Windtronic 2 Wind Meter!

Youth Category:

1st Place Magnus Zanmueller, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin 27.12 knots (31.19 mph)

2nd Place Niels Zaunmueller, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin 19.36 knots (22.26 mph)

Magnus is 15 years old, and Niels is 11. Each will receive their choice of a LOCOSYS GT-31 GPS, a Gath Safety Helmet, or a Windtronic 2 Wind Meter!

New for 2010, we created an Alpha Racing Category. This is a competition based on the best average speed through jibe (complete turn) over a 500 meter distance. This Category was designed to reward those racers with superior technical skills. Alpha Racing is somewhat new in the USA, but is very popular in other Countries.

Ed Melechson was the early leader with a speed of 20.65 knots (23.75 mph).

However, on Aug 27-28-29-30. we had record high winds and new Alpha Speed Records were set:

1st Place Andrew Anderson 21.11 knots (24.28 mph) ($500 Cash)

2nd Place Arden Anderson 20.97 knots (24.12 mph) ($250 CASH)

3rd Place Ed Melechson 20.65 knots (23.75 mph) ($125 CASH)

4th Place Adam Anderson 19.83 knots (22.80 mph) ($75 CASH)

5th Place Ken Crosson Okabena MN 16.86 knots (19.38 mph) ($50 CASH)

Each year, we recognize the sailor with the greatest passion for Speed Sailing, and for the Sport of Windsurfing. For 2010, Award goes to Ed Melechson of Papillion, Nebraska. Ed is a great competitor; and a great technical sailor with an interest of being the fastest Alpha Racer. Congratulations Ed!!!   

A Special Thanks to the Crew at GPS Speed Surfing. Thank you Martin van Meurs, Dylan de Jong, Onno Pierik, Roger van Tongeren, Frank Heinen and the rest of the crew. Thank you for creating and expanding your support of Speed Surfing around the world!!!

And I really want to thank the Sailors. It is a pleasure to put on a event for competitors like the ones we have year after year. Our home will always be open to all visiting Windsurfers. We will see you all again in 2011!

The Midwest Speed Quest was designed to be different. This event is free to all participants, and yet pays the highest Prize Money in North America. The purpose is to promote the new Sport of Speed Sailing, and the City of Worthington. Our goal was to bring Sailors of all skill levels together, and introduce them to the new Sport of Speed Sailing. The schedule was open 7 days a week, for a 6 month period. Any visiting sailors was assured of the chance to participate anytime he/she was in the area. We provide free or discounted motel rooms at the AmericInn of Worthington, free refreshments on the Beach, and free hot meals at the end of the day.

And we had the best Speed Sailing gear available for visiting sailors to try out.

We also provided free on-site Child Care and Pet Care. We even provided Spousal Care (care of the Windsurfing Widow)!

All the work associated with this event was done on a volunteer basis. Meals and refreshments were served beach side all season long free of charge. A special thanks to my wife Pamela for the many great meals meals served over the last 6 months to the visiting Sailors.

Each year we search the world for the finest Speed Sailing Gear available. We were proud to offer our visiting racers the finest demo gear anywhere!

The Midwest Speed Quest is made possible by the support of our many Sponsors. These Sponsors allowed us to award $3000 in Prize Money, and the many drawing for Windsurfing Gear and Gift Certificates all season long.

I encourage you to support these Sponsors. Visit their links on the Sponsors Page. Call these Guys, and buy your gear from them. And tell these Sponsors you appreciate their support of the Midwest Speed Quest. This will assure we can do this again in 2011.

I would like to identify and thank our Sponsors at this time. Click HERE for the Sponsors page with links to their sites.

Thank you Carbon Art International of New Zealand for providing a Carbon Art SL75 Slalom Board, and a Carbon Art SP 53 Speed Board. These boards hold speed sailing records around the world. Here in Worthington, the SL75 took First Place and Won Andrew Anderson $1500 in Prize Money. The SP53 won 15 year old Magnus Zaunmuller Sixth Place! These boards are fast!!!

Thank you Windsurf Deal of California for providing a full quiver of KA Sails, including the Koncept, Koyote, Kult, and Kaos models.  KA Sails hold speed sailing records around the world. The KA Koncept Sail was used by most of the Prize Winners in the 2010 Midwest Speed Quest!

Thank you Vector Fins of Maui Hawaii for providing a full quiver of Vector EX Speed Fins. These fins were used  by almost all the Prize Winners in 2010. These fins are also used by Top Speed Sailors around the world!

Thank you LOCOSYS Technology Taiwan, manufacturers of premium GPS devices. The GT-31 has proven itself as the most precise and durable hand held waterproof GPS unit available. The firmware for this GPS is continually being optimized just for Speed Sailing by an International Team of GPS Experts.

Thank you Aquapac International, manufacturer of the top quality waterproof cases for a wide variety of applications. They provided the all the waterproof cases used in the Midwest Speed Quest. They will protect your GPS unit or cell phone, and they float too. No Aquapac has failed in 6 years of brutal use.

Thank you Chinook Sailing Products for providing the demo Carbon Racing Booms, Racing Harness Lines, and Quick Release Mast Bases. These products were used by visiting racers all season long.

Thank you DAKINE for being a great supporter of The Midwest Speed Quest. Many Dakine Products were given out this year courtesy of Dakine.

Thank you La Azteca Mexican Restaurant of Worthington for your support. Our sailors recommend your Great Food and cold Margaritas.

Thank you Murrays Wind and Sport for supporting this Event. Murray’s is a leading distributor of the finest brands of windsurfing and sailing products including the cool Gath Helmets. Murrays has provided free Gath Helmets to all visiting racers year after year. And many racers have won Gath Helmets in the many gear drawings.

Thank you Enxco Wind Energy Services Inc. Enxco develops and manages Wind Energy Projects throughout North America, including a 130 Wind Generator Project here in the Worthington Area. Wind Energy is the solution to the energy needs of today and tomorrow.

Thank you, AmericInn of Worthington. This is the most comfortable motel in Worthington, offering great rooms, great staff, great pool, and a complimentary breakfast.

Thank you Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau, who invite you to visit Worthington and “Spend the Night”.

Thank you to Gusts.us and Kaindl Electronic of Rohrbach Germany for supplying the Windtronic 2 Wind Meters. These are the most accurate hand held wind meter available.

Thank you United Prairie Bank of Worthington. A great local bank with locations across SW Minnesota.

Thank you Guidepoint Pharmacy or Worthington. This is a great locally owned and operated Pharmacy serving the Nobles County Area. Thank you Jason and Genny!

Thank you Buffalo Billfold Company of Worthington. Bill and Lauri Keitel hand make the finest Buffalo Leather Good available anywhere, and have a great selection of Windsurfing Clothing for all ages.

Thank you Peter Delay, SBC Media and WINDSPORT Magazine, for the your continuing support of this Event.

Thank you Eric Nordskog of ONIT Pro. Our racers have proved that Xtreme Cream makes you go faster!

Thank you Avera Specialy Clinics of Worthington. This is a leading full service Medical Clinic with locations across SW Minnesota and SE South Dakota.

Thank you to Deb’s Healing Massage and Day Spa. Our visiting racers (and their Spouses) appreciate your professional massage services at the end of a hard day of Speed Sailing.

And thanks again to Jeff Hegwer, Jason Swanson, and to Therapeutic Winds Windsurfing School of Mason City Iowa.

THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE! SEE YOU IN 2011!!!

Craig and Pamela Bergh
The Midwest Speed Quest
133 Lake Avenue
Worthington, MN 56187

web: http://www.midwestspeedquest.com

Picasa Web Album:  LINK
email: cbergh@iw.net

Cell: 1-507-360-4801

GPS Coordinates: Lat  43.62208
Long -95.61218

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