Steve Flanagan IR11

Last week saw the arrival of some of the world’s top windsurfers and kitesurfers to the newly discovered speed strip, in the town of Dungaravan, Co. Waterford. Organised by Irish speed sailor Martin Waldron, the event provided an ideal opportunity for some of Ireland’s top windsurfers and kitesurfers, to battle it out with the big names for the European Speed titles.

Speeds were measured using handheld GPS units.  Two sessions were held for the windsurfer’s throughout the weeklong event. Results were decided upon Saturday’s session. After a long wait the correct conditions finally allowed entrants to see how good the speed strip really was. A 250M course was set and within seconds of the course opening – competitors were blasting down the strip at speeds in excess of 35 knots.

Dublin man Steve Flanagan took third position just behind legendary windsurfer and 13 times World Champion; Bjorn Dunkerbeck.  Organiser of the Irish Speed Sailing Series and regular competitor on the Irish Slalom Series, Steve managed to beat several well know international competitors.  With an average run of 35.22 knots, the Dubliner was less than three knots of claiming the European title.

Pearse Geaney, the Irish national slalom champion also performed very well, claiming fifth position.  The winner of the European event was Andrea Baldini from Italy. The top speed of the week was claimed by kitesurfer Dave Williams, clocking a 44.2 knot average speed over the 250m course. More info on the event is available at www.speedworldcup.com