Formula Windsurfers supporting The Showdown
One of the most spectacular off-the-beach classes in The Showdown regatta will be Formula Windsurfing, with competitors coming from around the State for the regatta.
Formula Windsurfing was established in France in 1998 for short, wide sailboards with large sail area that enables planning in just 10 knots of breeze. The class started racing in Tasmania in 2001 and in 2003 Sandy Bay Sailing Club hosted the Australia Formula championships with 43 entries.
Currently, Tasmanian Formula sailors compete in a four-round State-wide competition organised by Windsurfing Tasmania, sailing in Hobart, Port Dalrymple, Port Sorell and Stanley. Round one of this season’s program will be the RYCT’s The Showdown regatta.
Between 10 and 15 entries are expected from Hobat, Launceston the North West Coast, with top contenders being David Moorhead and Steve Charles from Hobart and Ian Johnson and Anthony Perkins. All the sailors will be hoping for 12 knot-plus winds for fast, close racing on upwind/downwind courses.