Miami

"48 Hours on the Causeway"

 

Biscayne Bay – Miami, FL narrative by Karen Doyle

No less than seven countries were represented at a Miami, Florida windsurfing regatta called, 48 Hours On The Causeway hosted by the South Florida Windsurfing Association (SFWA).

It was a small idea that grew wings.  A few months ago Brian Barr presented the opportunity to bring a National “Formula Class” Windsurfing Tour to Miami and did so with the support of friends, fellow sailors and the local windsurfing club.  This 16 stop, national tour is organized by the United States Windsurfing (USW) and features both professional and amateur racers from around the globe.

Miami’s Biscayne Bay is no stranger to world-class sailing events, but it has been a long time since the local windsurfing club has hosted a national ranking windsurfing event.

Weather, racers and sailing enthusiasts all came together March 12th and 13th.  Both days were beautifully sun drenched with light SE ocean breezes and a high temperature of 79.  Even though AM winds were light, the weather couldn’t have been nicer.   This gave everyone a laid back morning with time to relax on the beach, visit with friends, family, fellow sailors and the opportunity to meet world-class racers from Japan, Europe, Turkey, Peru, Argentina, USA and Canada.  Spectators walking, biking, or just cruising the beach were drawn to the windsurfing buzz on the shore. 

There were colorful boards and sails carefully displayed along the water’s edge by the local sailing school, Sailboards Miami and international windsurfing manufactures anxious to show their new wares.  Those new to windsurfing were given free lessons and allowed to try out brand new equipment provided by Aerotech, Exocet, Sandy Point Progressive Sports and BIC (yes, the guys who make the lighters and pens).  Shortly after lunch the wind would fill in to required 8 knots or better and the race was on.

Results:

Rank Sail# LastName FirstName Race1 Race2 Race3 Race4 Race5 Total
1 ARG3 Costa-Hoevel Gonzalo 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 3
2 K Kern Ron 2 4 3 2 2 9
3 ARG1 Martinez Fernando 4 2 2 6 3 11
4 TUR1 Icingir Ertugrul 3 3 7 21 5 18
5 PER Schreier Nicolas 5 21 4 7 4 20
6 IF1 Ifju Peter 6 5 5 5 9 21
7 CAN535 Corning Hadrian 9 6 9 4 6 25
8 ESP167 Aguilo Joan 7 7 6 8 7 27
9 J45 Nagai Kurt 8 8 8 3 8 27
10 5 Vallee Dominque 10 9 11 11 10 40
11 CAN9 Stewart Lawrence 21 10 21 14 11 56
12 737 Morales Alexander 11 21 13 12 21 57
13 1 Owen Eduardo 21 21 10 9 21 61
14 M11 Rayl Mike 12 11 21 21 21 65
15 4151 Gottlieb Steve 21 21 14 10 21 66
16 V Van Dyke Gary 21 21 12 13 21 67
17 FS11 Sampiero Josh 21 21 21 21 21 84
18 T Kapul Sergio 21 21 21 21 21 84
19 X Vogt Michael 21 21 21 21 21 84
20 D1 Wagner Don 21 21 21 21 21 84

Awards:

More photos and words at the Aerotech Sails Forum