With 10 bullets in the fifteen race World Championship series, Ivan Pastor, the Spanish Olympian, took the 2016 Raceboard World title and the gold medal ahead of defending champion Max Wojcik. On receiving his title he had the following to say: "Congratulations to the organization for this amazing championship and thanks to all the competitors."

Max Wojcik, the defending Raceboard World Champion from Poland but now living and working in Australia, managed to cross the line ahead of his challenger just four times, one of those being a very satisfying first place in the final race, and he secured the silver medal. Max has been very instrumental in developing the Raceboard Class in Queensland.

The final place on the winners' podium, and the bronze medal, went to New Zealander Antonio Cozzolino who found it tough to beat these two mighty titans, although he did scoop a couple of second places. First Grand master Bruce Trotter, also from New Zealand, was surely in the mix for a podium place with no less than two bullets and three second places but a tenth in Race 12 caused his downfall. Bruce, happy to be able to compete at World Championship which was just three hours away for once, has been competing since 1985 as a 16 year old. He praised the organization of this regatta for windsurfers by windsurfers, with particular thanks to Brett Morris and his team.

Allowing for 2 discards, a full-bullet score took Australian youngster Alex Halank to a sensational outright (as well as Youth) win in the 7.8m World Championship class, which formed a practical and less equipment specific option sailed just after the main fleet. Proudly assisted throughout the event by his amazingly supportive father Akim (on and off the water!), Akim also went home with the 7.8m bronze. With an endless confident and genuine smile which would rival Daniel Ricciardo, Alex shows the way for the rising tide of Australian Youth Windsurfing.

Women's Champion, Aussie Joanna Sterling said that when she started windsurfing there were so few ladies on the water so this event marked an amazing milestone.The Ladies also enjoyed great racing inside the main fleet, with Jo enjoying a near clean sweep to take the Womens Championship from local sisters Lara and Shari O'Brien who managed to steal one and two wins respectively from Jo during the 15 races. Event organiser Lissa McMillan also made some great action out on the racecourse scoring consistant 2nd places until the more challenging high winds of Day 4 scored her a few DNFs. Great racing and good fun all around.

It was Race Officer John O'Brien, a windsurfer himself and father of AUS Champion Sean, who quipped that he didn't get a chance for any black flag starts, but was happy that it was a fantastic event. Competitors and host club officials were all suitably impressed, describing the event race management as "running like a Swiss watch".

The full 15 race series was completed over the 5 days of quality racing hosted at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, Manly, Brisbane. Congratulations to the local organizer, Windsurfing Queensland, for the dedication applied over a year and a half towards bringing the Worlds to Australia for the first time. Special mention to Starboard without whose support, via provision of charter equipment, it would not have been possible to bring so many foreign competitors to these championships.

Overall Results:

1.Ivan Pastor (Spain)2. Max Wojcik (Poland)3. Antonio Cozzolino (New Zealand)4. Bruce Trotter (New Zealand)5. Fernando Consorte (Argentina)6. Fabian Grundmann (Germany)7. Lea Sitja (Australia)8. Juha Blinnikka (Finland)9. Leo Sharpe (Australia)10. Ian Young (New Zealand)

Testing conditions for many in the fleet, indeed. Damn windy conditions for Race 11. Plenty of action to be seen! Three more races were completed, leaving two further races to round off the final day of the championships. Two wins to Ivan Pastor and one win to Max Wojcik ensured no change at the top of the overall ranking - Ivan looks to be on course to regain the world title he last won in 2014.

However, there are changes in the order of the following pack - Antonio Cozzolino moves up to third overall, leapfrogging fellow New Zealander Bruce Trotter. Lea Sitja from Australia, moves up to 5th after a solid day, but close behind are Fernando Consorte from Argentina, and Fabian Grundmann.

In the ladies fleet, the top two podium positions are secure but Shari O'Brien and Lissa McMillan are still battling for the third position. And in the Youth fleet, no doubt about the top podium place but will it be Courtney or Taine taking second place?

Three races completed on Day 3 of competition at the 2016 Slake Raceboard World Championships in Manly, Brisbane. Ivan Pastor from Spain, made up for yesterday's drop in form to win all 3 races and to extend his lead over close rival and defending champion Max Wojcik.

Max consolidated his second place in the overall ranking and barring misfortune is guaranteed a podium place at the prize giving. Third place overall and the bronze medal is still looking to be a contest between New Zealanders Bruce Trotter and Antonio Cozzolino.

In the women's division Joanna Sterling, current national women's champion in Australia, followed the example of Ivan and posted 3 first places and looks to be unbeatable. Joanna, a Manly local, said this was a wonderful opportunity to compete in her home town. Alexander Halank also appears to have the competition sewn up in the Youth and 7.8m² divisions.

Organizer Lissa McMillan said it was an achievement for the small suburb of Manly to host the event: "To have 13 different countries competing here is fantastic," she said. "We didn't think we would have so many competitors from overseas coming to Australia, as it's so far - but we did."

The five-day event has taken more than a year to organize. "We were sitting on a beach in Finland four years ago and thought that it would be great to hold a world championship in Australia," Lissa said. "It's been great to show the world what a great location we have to offer."

One first and two second places in today's 4 races brought reigning World Champion Max Wojcik from Poland, to within 2 points of Ivan Pastor from Spain. However, the star-turn on Day 2 of the 2016 Raceboard World Championship, in Brisbane, must go to Bruce Trotter from New Zealand. His two race wins and a second place moved him up to third place in the overall event ranking. Not bad going for a Grand master! Antonio Cozzolini, NZL, held on to his 4th place overall with 4 solid results. In the meantime, Juha Blinnikka from Finland takes over in 5th place overall and first heavyweight.

Over in the female division it is an all Aussie affair with Joanna Sterling maintaining her position in the lead coming to the halfway stage of the championships. There is also a 7.8m² fleet racing in this championship - with sailors both young and old opting to sail with the smaller rig as their maximum sail size - and it is youth Alexander Halank, Australia, leading after 7 races.

Three wins from three races puts Ivan Pastor at the top of the overall rankings at the 2016 Slake Raceboard World Championships hosted by the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, in Manly, Brisbane. Ivan must be hoping to win his 3rd Raceboard World Title - last taking the honors in Blanes, Spain in 2014.

However, hard on his heels is five times and current world champion Max Wojick, from Poland but now living in Australia. Max took second place in all 3 races on Day 1. Taking up the last podium place at this stage of the championship is Antonio Cozzolino, the leading sailor from a strong New Zealand contingent. NZL also have the first Grand master in the current ranking, with Bruce Trotter in 5th overall, just one place behind the leading heavyweight in Fernando Consorte from Argentina.

- Text and Pictures by International Raceboard Class -