Animal Windfest and BSUPA SUP race results 2009

It’s mid September, which can only mean one thing, time for Animal Windfest!

Sandbanks, Poole in Dorset once again played host to the annual Animal Windfest, the biggest free action sports festival in the South which included windsurfing, kitesurfing, Zap Cat, beach volleybeach competition, as well as the amazing mountain bike and wakeboard demonstrations.

Now in its 11th year and with clear blue skies and baking hot sunshine, the scene was set for a great weekend of action that would excite the crowds who would visit.
Also included in the list off competitive sports to be held at this year's Animal Windfest, were stand up paddle board races, which were organized and run by BSUPA.

Saturday morning and the competitors gathered in the habour side for the start of the round Brownsea Island race, a distance of just over four miles, which would see the competitors circumnavigate the pictures island before returning to start/finish line back in the habour.

Under the hot sun the competitors raced off it to the distance. From the start it was clear that the likes of John Hibbard and Elliot Dudley would be battling it all the way round. After forty minutes the leaders came in to view, all interest was to see who would be in the lead as they battled against a stiffening head wind. It would be John Hibbard, but close on his tail was Paul Simmons.

As John crossed the line to the cheers of the crowd he momentarily forget about final act to secure victory, which was to touch the BSUPA flag. Paul seeing the opportunity dug in and powered toward the flag hoping to snatch victory from John. John realizing his mistake ran and splashed his way to the flag. The crowds excitedly cheered them both on and only by a few seconds did John take the prize of first place from Paul Simmons. A few moments later Elliot Dudley came home in third place, with Mark Slater in forth.
Firstly Lady to cross the finish line in a highly credible ninth was Marie Buchannan.

Special mention goes to two local ladies Janine Doming & Laura Kitching, who in their first event race didn’t give up, and although with a strong head wind and at times almost going backward when crossing the shipping channel, focused and finally made it back to the finish.

Well done to all and big thank you to Poole Harbour Master who escorted the less experienced competitors through the busy shipping channel.

Sunday and after a hard nights partying at the Turbo Fleuro party, It was time for some sprint racing. On the Sunday the competition was moved to the Sandbanks (seaside) to allow the spectators the opportunity of watching the SUP racing close up.
Format for the Sprint competition would be ‘one on one’ knock out style. No second change first to cross the line wins. The course would be to race out to a marker buoy 200m off shore turn around race back to the beach, then run up the beach touch the flag. Sounds simple, but add a blustery cross wind and incoming tide, like yesterday round the island race it would test everyone taking part.

Heat 2 would see John against Elliot. To many watching this in its self could be a final. The horn sounded and both Elliott and John launch themselves of the beach through the white water and on toward the marker buoy. It was board-to-board race until disaster! Elliott somehow got his board suck on buoy and falls off handing the win to John.

Semi finals saw John Hibbard cruise to victory despite getting knock off his board as he came in to beach by a windsurfer. The second semi saw Mark Slater beat Jay Manning.
In the ladies the final would be between Claire Blacklock and fresh from her win in the distance race Marie Buchannan. This was a close race with both struggling at times to make head way as the conditions became more challenging as the day when on. As they rounded the buoy it was Marie who just had the lead over Claire. Making best use of the swell to gain advantage it was Marie who would take the win.

Men’s Final, could Mark defend John? Racing down the beach towards their boards both where focused and hungry for the win. Mark with his upper body strength powered his way to the buoy, with John used all his technique to hold Mark off. The home leg and John managed to maintain his lead over Mark, to take victory in the Sprint Race.

To round the day of a fun mass sprint race was held, and drew the crowds to the water edge.
After that it was time for everyone to relax and enjoy the afternoon.

A big thank you to everyone who entered, and to Gary the organizer of Animal Windfest and his crew. Finally to Animal for their support not only at Windfest but across the youth and free sports here in the U.K

For more information about Animal Windfest visit www.animalwindfest.co.uk
For more information about Animal visit www.animal.co.uk

Results

Paddle Round The Island

1st - John Hibbard
2nd - Paul Simmons
3rd - Elliot Dudley
4th - Mark Slater
5th - Adam England
6th - Jason Manning
7th - Nick Watts
8th - Ryan James
9th - Marie Bucanan (1st Ladies)
10th - Chris Sheild
11th - Pete Holliday
12th - Matt French
13th - Toby Trons
14th - Marco Amat
15th - Graham Colbeck
16th - Janine Doming (2nd Ladies)
17th - Laura Kitching (3rd Ladies)

Sprint Race - Men
1st - John Hibbard
2nd - Mark Slater
3rd - Chris Murray
4th - Jay Manning
5th - Pete Holliday
5th - Elliot Dudley
5th - Ryan James
5th - Nick Watt

Sprint Race - Ladies
1st - Marie Bucanan
2nd - Claire Blacklock
3rd - Sarah Frymann
4th - Becky Hennesey