RS:X European and Youth Championships - Day 1
by Icarus Sailing Media 23 Jun 2015 13:32 BST
21-27 June 2015
RS:X European and Youth Championships day 1 © Salvatore Lopez - Albaria
Welcome to Mondello beach in Palermo, Sicily and the 'World Windsurf Festival On The Beach', now celebrating its 30th year. The 2015 edition sees Mondello inundated with the world's top windsurfers as the 2015 RS:X European Championships kicks off. The event runs from the 21st to the 27th of June and will be accompanied by a myriad of other activities also taking place along this stunning beach.
The very best athletes, representing 41 nations, lined up to partake in the opening ceremony - a celebration to mark the start of this internationally recognized regatta that plays a crucial role in the athletes' schedule as they cram their year with training ahead of the Olympic Games in 2016.
Competitive windsurfing is as much about skill as it is about physical prowess and the fleet were eager to make their mark on the first day of the competition.
The RS:X is an extremely attractive and dynamic sport that features a highly technical rig enabling windsurfers to compete in virtually any conditions. Racing is always close, exciting and visually appealing, as this fast paced class represents the extreme end of competition in the Olympic Sailing Classes.
The pressure was on in Sicily and so was the breeze. The RS:X Men's division were first to race and there were sure to be some crossed swords as the fleet battle for optimum position in the course. World Champions, European Champions, Olympians and new title contenders were all in the mix looking to post some good results. The pressure was high and the race committee had to recall the fleet a few times as the windsurfers crossed the line early.
It was a great start to the event for 2014 European title holder, Piotr Myszka from Poland who scored the first bullet followed by Greek Byron Kokalanis currently no.1 in the ISAF World Sailing Rankings. In the other men's senior fleet, Korea's Cho Wonwoo ruled the waves with Germany's Wilhelm Toni also at the top of the fleet.
After a great opening day of the 2015 RS:X European Championships it was time for all of the competitors to recharge their batteries ready for tomorrow when there's sure to be more action to report. Join us then.
www.rsxclass.com/europeans2015