Lancelin Ocean Classic - Wave, Marathon and Slalom from Thursday 7th until Sunday 10th of January ‘10 - 25th Anniversary.
With over $25,000 AUD of prize money and $80,000 for TV broadcast this year, its the biggest ever in the history of LOC - the Guinness book of records longest running ocean race.
 
Only once in 1994 there was no wind for this event, every other year there has always been a valid race;
how's that for one windy location!
Some of the early winners have been:
1986 Dave Sheen
1987 Phil Mc Gain
1988 Svein Rasmussen
1989 Bruce Peterson
1990 Anders Bringdal
 
This year there were 210 competitors to make the LONG DISTANCE race on Saturday from Ledge Point to Lancelin and everyone is a winner who completes the course over approx 25 km, guybing around 7 anchored crayfish boats made available by the local fishing industry, while the volunteers enjoying a beverage in the hot weather following the spectacle from up close, cheering on the passing by sailors.
 
Travelling into Australia I had to be selective bringing minimum gear, as the airline slugs you for anything over 60 kg by the kg.
Only recently I signed with Fanatic and I brought the 2010 Falcon 112 Liter as a nice Medium size. Further Maui Sails TR5 7.0 and 8.4 2009, 1 mast and 1 boom. Wave equipment I brought a 86 liter Fanatic New Wave Twin, 5.0 Legend and 5.8 Global.
 
We were supposed to depart at 14.05, but the start got delayed by 15 minutes while positioning the boats, a big task getting them all in the right spot. I used this opportunity to change down to a 7.0 m2 sail, while the sea breeze was kicking in more and more picking up to 18-23 knots. I figured you can run quicker with a smaller sail, and on a long course you can keep going strong 100%.  Even if you think you are Arnold Swarzenegger’s big brother, on a 9 meter you won’t keep up the pace.
 
I was nervous as the helicopter was filming the start flying right next to us; no way we would hear the starting signal! Watching people starting to run upwind, you have to react instantly and also start running into the water. It's all about timing throwing the board in the water without the fin hitting the sand and catapulting forward. I jumped up and got straight on a plane. Off we went!

Patrik rounded the boat wide in front of me and I squeezed through on the inside to get in an early leading position towards the second cray boat, with a long way to go. On a broad reach Patrik overtook me, but I gybed earlier to get to the boat while he kept going too far. From then on I lead the whole race, although Steve could give a little bit of pressure on the 4th reach. Finishing the Marathon in a new record of 27 minutes and 58 seconds, and staying ahead by 12 seconds to Patrik Diethelm and 35 seconds to third place finisher Steve Allen, it was the third victory of Ledge Point to Lancelin in a row and 4 times in 5 years!
 
Dan Engdahl who has won the event before in previous years finished in 4th and 1st time Ledge to Lancelin entry, but many times respected world champion Bjorn Dunckerbeck in 5th place.
 
Karin Jaggi (34.52) was the fastest lady in front of Annika Gillgren and Kanza Stott. Karin placed herself in 19th position overall!
 
Ash Nicol finished in 10th, taking the win in the masters class with less than 4 minutes behind.
 
A big thanks goes out to Rob Goyen and the organizers, sponsors and all the volunteers involved organizing this big event, the Lancelin township and Mark Galvin for having us. And my sponsors: Fanatic, Maui Sails and Pro Limit.
 
Result of the 25th Ledge Point to Lancelin Marathon 2010:
 
   1. Peter Volwater
   2. Patrik Diethelm
   3. Steven Allen
   4. Dan Engdahl
   5. Björn Dunkerbeck
   6. Robby Swift
   7. Jesper Orth
   8. Daniel Aeberli
   9. Rowen Law
  10. Ash Nicol
  11. Chris Lockwood
  12. Chris Adamsdon
  13. Steven Stratfold
  14. Daniel Bruch
  15. Ben Severne
 
 
The WAVES started on Thursday with most people arriving throughout the day knowing the conditions would not be suitable. The sun was shining and the drinks cold at the tavern, overlooking the Indian ocean and anchored cray boats in the bay. Event organizer Rob Goyen stated “with 2.5 meters of swell and 25 knots forecast for tomorrow it looks like we are going to have one of the best wave comp’s in the events 25 year history". Like predicted the wind and swell arrived on Friday and the conditions later reached a solid 25 knots with waves building throughout the day. In classic South Passage conditions the 2010 Lancelin Ocean Classic Wave competition were held.
 
With guys like Robby Swift (3rd PWA overall), Dani Bruch, Ben Severne and local hero Luke Walmsley it was going to be an action packed show of wave riding and aerial manouvers.  The final results were announced at the presentations Saturday afternoon. Ben Severne turned out to be the winner of the waves, with a perfect wave score including a wave 360 followed by a nice aerial on 1 of his counting waves. I finished 2nd in the Waves and won in man to man heats from Robby Swift and Dani Bruch.
 
The SLALOM on Sunday topped it all off, all the guys that were not too hung over to compete joined in and soon we had quite a high level of slalom competition, thanks to ‘Windsurfing WA’ with some very motivated people and fresh young talented sailors. Patrik Diethelm got a quick couple rounds in before getting on the plane to Thailand. Chris Lockwood ended up winning with the most consistent results. Amongst many competitors was also Craig Spottiswood, who clocked some super sonic speeds at Sandy point in 2009, the fastest man of the moment on gps-speedsurfing.com with an average speed of 47.76 knots this year at Sandy Point / Victoria.
 
All in all great fun this long weekend with amazing conditions for windsurfing in all the disciplines, and a big party at the start of the new season.
 
Event website:
http://www.lancelinoceanclassic.com.au