Following the 2010 AGM, a wave sub-committee was developed when inconsistencies were uncovered in the calculation of results. The problems occured in 2008 when there was no person looking after the wave events. This position has now been taken up by Katie McAnnena and Daniel Gardiner. The first task to ensure the 2010 IWA Wave Series runs smoothly, was to ensure we have a complete set of RULES, SAILING INSTRUCTIONS & COMPETITORS GUIDELINES.

A big thank you to 2009 IWA Wave Champion Finn Mullen who spent endless hours compiling the draft documents. Our thanks also to Katie and Daniel King who advised on certain aspects of the drafts. Also a mention to Peter Gallagher who compiled the previous set of documentation.

As an IWA member – you now have 4 weeks until January 9th 2010 to submit any feedback or changes you would like to see made to the three documents which can be found below. Please send your feedback to me (ir555 at hotmail dot com). Failure to give any feedback, on the documents by the deadline will result in the three documents being deemed accepted, as the offical documentation for the all future IWA Wave Series. Documents maybe subject to change by the IWA committee.

The three documents can be found here at:
IWA Wave/ Freestyle Championship Rules
IWA Wave/ Freestyle Competitors Guide
IWA Wave/ Freestyle Sailing Instructions

As volunteers we would really appreciate any feedback – do not be afraid to be negative!

Yours in Sport
Danny Mulryan
IWA Events Team

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