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The Phuket Raid
January 19th. leg four
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The fourth and final leg was a difficult one with wind speeds from 5 to 20 knots including extreme shifts as the fleet rounded the south point of the island, to head north into Puravarna Bay for the finish. Kamil Lewandowski from Poland -2nd. over all – gave it all he had and collected his first win clear ahead of the fleet. The leader over all, Navin Singsart from Thailand knew very well he had to finish within 5 places from Kamil to stay on top. Amazingly he did just that –finishing 5th. after a hard fight in the increasing head winds - gusting to 22 knots at the end of leg, to secure the over all victory by one single point.  Today’s demanding leg saw new faces at the top of fleet, with Joeri Passchier, Netherlands placing 2nd, Alexander Baronjan, Germany 3rd. and Ricardo Giordano, Italy 4th. Arun Homraruen, Thailand secured the last podium place by finishing 6th. followed by Chris Sieber, Austria –moving up to 4th. at the over all standings.
The Phuket Raid was a fantastic happening both on and off the water, and the organizers have announced that it will be a yearly event – with the fleet increased to 60 competitors next year.
The wonderful Thai hospitality and the beauty of Phuket Island is hard to describe. Seeing is believing, so come and join us next year.
International Kona Class
:: See results ::
The Phuket Raid
January 18th. leg three
Navin Singsart did it again. It was around 10 knots at the start, but increasing to 15 gusting to 18 at the end of leg 3 from Patong to Kata Beach. The 2006 World Champion Navin Singsart delivered another excellent performance to collect his 2nd. bullet, leaving him 5 points ahead of his nearest competitor Kamil Lewandowski from Poland – finishing in 6th today. The Thai veteran Arum Homraruen came back to finish 2nd. followed by Rikard Almquist from Sweden in 3rd, which lifted them to 3rd. and 7th. in the overall standings.  The consistent duo Phanuthat Ruamsap, Thailand and Chris Sieber, Austria finished 4th. and 5th. keeping them both within sight of a podium finish.
The atmosphere in Phuket is great with excellent conditions and social gatherings.
Stay tuned for the 4th. and last leg which is predicted to be a windy day with 15 to 20 knots.
:: See results ::
The Phuket Raid
January 17th. leg two
The 2nd. Leg from Surin Beach to the main tourist beach,- Patong, was again a light wind affair with side to off shore winds at 8 to 9 knots. Navin Singsart, the 06 Kona World Champion walked away from the fleet and secured a bullet followed by the consistent Kamil Lewandowski from Poland – leaving them at even 58 points at first and second over all. The 2000 Sydney Olympic Gold medalist Chris Sieber from Austria is getting tuned in after a 5 year break from windsurfing and finished in a comfortable 3rd. followed by the multi Asian Champion Panuthat Ruamsap, Thailand in 4th. and the Indonesian RSX Olympic contender Iwayan Wiranatha Meranggi in 5th.
Stop press; (January 18th)
Today’s ongoing race from Patong to Kata beach is blessed with 15 to 18 knots and reports so far is indicating that Navin Singsart is still ahead of the fleet, followed by Rikard Almquist from Sweden, which is currently ranked number one on the Kona World ranking list.
:: See results ::
The Phuket Raid is on.
January 16th. leg one
Amazing Thailand. The Phuket Raid got off in spectacular fashion, both on and off the water. It was light 8 to 9 knots off shore conditions – and the organizers went for a beach start from Naiyang Beach at the North west coast of the island. The Race Committee had waived the Kona non pumping rule – due to the difficulties of controlling such rule in a long distance race, but interestingly the competitors joined forces and required a democratic vote – which ended 28 against and only 2 in favor of pumping. Truly a clear declaration in favor of fair sailing in accordance with the Kona spirit;
C.2 PROPULSION
C.2.1 General; Rule 42 shall apply at all angles of sail. Repeated rig movements (pumping) to increase or maintain speed is prohibited.
As the race developed, it was not surprisingly dominated by the light and very skilled Thai’s. Aron Homraruen, three times Olympian won the 2 ½ hour race to Surin Beach, followed by the Polish RSX Olympic candidate Kamil Lewandowski.
The 2006 Kona World Champion Navin Singsart from Thailand finished third followed by another world class sailor Joeri Passchier from the Netherlands.
The conditions for day 2 is predicted to be slightly windier with 12 to 15 knots, while the two last days is said to be around 20 to 25 knots. We expect sailors like Ricardo Giordani - Italy, Rikard Almquist – Sweden, Paco Wirtz – Italy, Patrice Belbeoch – France and Chris Lawrence – Australia to climb up the ranking as the conditions get heavier throughout the week. Stay tuned for daily reports.
:: See results ::
The Phuket Raid, January 15th. to 20th. 2008
The 2nd. International Kona Windsurfing Raid will take place at famous Phuket Island in Thailand, located 700 km south of Bangkok at the Andaman Sea. It will be a competitive as well as social one-design event with complimentary beach and dinner party's every night. Charter equipment will be available from the organizer, but early bookings are recommended.
Thailand is well known for its relaxed atmosphere and Phuket Island has a mild steady breeze, tropical sun and 30 degrees. Wet suits not needed. While off the water you will find good, affordable accommodation and delicious food under the palm trees. And if you want nightlife, there are not many places like Phuket.
The Raid is dedicated the auspicious occasion of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 80th Birthday Anniversary, and will take the competitors around the island of Phuket, pass famous beaches of the island at a distance of more than 100 kilometers.
 As well as the thrill and excitement of the race, the participants will also get the chance to see the breathtaking beauty of the Andaman Sea that surrounds Phuket up close and personal. The event will also host a number of recreational activities for everyone to participate in, in addition to experiencing the lively, colorful way of living of the various communities along the beaches. The route will start from Nai Yang Beach and pass by Bang tao Beach, Patong Beach, Kata Beach before ending around Promthep Cape area.
The event organizers have invited windsurfers from around the world to participate in this Kona One design competition - as well as local windsurfers. The event is also organized to help revive and promote Andaman Sea tourism after the tsunami disaster.
The events throughout the competition will be broadcasted by leading sports networks around the world such as ESPN, STARSPORT, SUPER SPORT, EXTREME SPORT, FOX SPORTS, ESPANOL. In addition, the Raid will also be televised by several leading tourism-oriented networks such as TPS, NOVA, ONO and Global TV in order to further help promote tourism to Thailand. This windsurfing event will also help promote and establish Thailand as another one of the world's centers for regional and global windsurfing competitions.
:: Notice of Race ::
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FRANCK DAVID WINS THE 2ND. KONA GOLD CUP
La Ciotat, France - September 23rd. 2007
The second Kona Gold Cup became an intense affair with competitors from 12 countries - and
tactically demanding conditions with light to medium winds..
Although devided into 4 weight groups according to the class rules, the organizers decided to
go for a one fleet solution. Interestingly it proved to be a very even field between all groups -
using different sail sizes to compensate for weight differences. This, as well as the "no wind
limit, no pumping" rule is unique for the class.
However, with several Olympic and World champs on the start line, it turned out to be an
aggressive ordeal - and at times a handful for the organizers. A yellow card system was
implemented to police the fleet. An interesting twist indeed, that is worth further consideration as
a permanent addition to the class rules.
Among the top 10 over -all, we find sailors from 6 nations and 3 weight groups. Franck David
(1992 Olympic Champion) and Patrik Pollak (current Raceboard World Champion) gradually
dominated the fleet with excellent tactical and consistant sailing,  but they had to work hard for
their money. Herve Piegelin, France - Rikard Almquist, Sweden, - Koen Sonck, Belgium -
Patrice Belbeoch, France and Haakon Nissen Lie, Norway were all a constant treath to the
front runners.
Again, the atmosphere must be described as typical "Konadian" - friendly and social but
competitive. The magic combination that made windsurfing a big sport in the first place.
ONE FLEET - ABSOLUTE EXTREMES
Never before has a windsurfing championship been attended by Olympic and World
champions as well as intermediate sailors and kids in one fleet - from 63 to 10 years old.
Cedric Belbeoch (11), Alexandre Villatte (10) and Kajsa Larsson (12) displayed an impressive
performance in the kids category -using 5.0 and 4.2 sqm sails.
Ruben Petrisie - the Freestyle king from Bonaire surprised himself and the rest of us by
taking home the bronze in the heavy weight division, while the Speed and Formula specialist
Koen Sonck, Belgium - was even more astonished - walking away with the heavy weight gold
medal.
"This was a great event for me. I didn't think it would be possible to give the course racers a
fight, but thanks to the nature of this class I was able to. It all boils down to tactical and fair
sailing. The different sail sizes also neutralize the weight groups, so we are all even in all
conditions, which makes the game a lot more interesting. Couldn't believe I was up there
fighting with the medium and light weights all the time. Close to winning one race, but very
happy with my two 2nd. finishes in this fleet. Great concept, and I will be back."
See Results
Kona Gold Cup 2007 Gallery
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