WEYMOUTH, England – If this truly was the end of windsurfing in the Olympics, it was definitely memorable.
Dorian Van Rijsselberge of the Netherlands exuberantly validated the men’s gold medal he had clinched days earlier, and Marina Alabau of Spain skimmed across the waves to win the women’s regatta Tuesday.
Windsurfing was removed from the lineup for the 2016 Rio Olympics in a vote in May, replaced by kiteboarding. The International RS:X Class Association filed a legal challenge last week against the International Sailing Federation. So to do your bit head over to change.org and sign the petition, it takes two minutes and could secure the Olympic dreams for many across the world.
Alabau got a regal send-off from her fellow Spanish sailors after coming ashore. As she stood on her board, they hoisted it on their shoulders and paraded her through the boat park. She held a bottle of Spanish sparkling wine in her left hand and waved the Spanish flag with her right. “It was the best of the week, for sure,” she said.
“Yeah, I think this was a mistake,” she said about windsurfing getting blown out of the games. “I think it will come back. This is my hope and this is what I think will be the right thing. I know how to kite and I will kite if they don’t give me another chance, but I love windsurfing.”
Van Rijsselberge agreed. “Of course it’s a sad thing,” he said. “Look at all the people here. Everyone is enjoying themselves. They come off the water with smiles on their faces.”
His gold medal already guaranteed, all Van Rijsselberge had to do was stay on his board and finish the final race.
He did much more than that, winning the medals race to clinch his gold in style.
After winning the race, the 6-foot-3 Van Rijsselberge climbed on top of the console on his coach’s boat and, hanging onto the pole that supports the weather vane, flashed the “hang loose” sign with his right hand. A large Dutch flag flew from the boat.
The Dutchman, who shaved his head just before the games began, said he wanted to do well in the final race.
“It was already in the pocket, but finishing it up like this and seeing everyone on the Nothe Course and them outroaring the British a little bit was a good thing for me, so why not?” he said. “I want to have a good feeling and I want to wrap it up nicely. It’s the medals race and you’ve got to race it. It’s the most important race, pretty much.”
Van Rijsselberge won six of the first nine races. His lead was so big that he sat out the 10th race.
Nick Dempsey of Britain took the silver and Poland’s Przemyslaw Miarczynski got the bronze.
With the race close to shore, Dempsey hopped off his board and greeted friends and family watching from Nothe Fort.
Alabau came into the medals race with a 14-point lead and preserved it by finishing first.
Tuuli Petaja of Finland jumped from third place overall to take the silver medal, thanks to a fourth-place finish in the medals race. Poland’s Zofia Noceti-Klepacka jumped from fifth overall to take the bronze.
Dutch windsurfer Dorian Van Rijsselberge won Gold in London 2012. Watch this interview with him after the medal race.
Max Matissek a short clip in the style of a dream or a flashback, “…a visualisation before windsurfing… or whatever.“ – Max.
All the action from the 2012 PWA Fuerteventura Freestyle Worldcup, capture by Josh Willmont and Black Lab. Enjoy the action from the best riders in the World!
A few highlights from the Gaastra / Tabou 2013 photoshoot in South Africa.
Gollito Estredo and Max Rowe showcase the 2013 Northsails Idol, with some sick freestyle action.
Casey Rehrer just won the youth division at AWT San Carlos. Here’s his training video from the week before the contest, it’s easy to see why he won!
A quick fun filled clip from Adam Sims and a few riders already in Sirgi for the upcoming EFPT stop on August 10 – 12th. Check it out!
Eva Oude pushloop in Pozo just before she leaves to Holland.
The 2012 Quatro Desert Showdown has come to an end. The final came down to action packed match between Levi Siver, Camille Juban, Morgan Noireaux and Bernd Roediger. Noireaux and Roediger sailed well, but the two riders who used their wave knowledge to get the best waves were Siver and Juban. When the final horn sounded debates began on the beach as to who won? What would the judges decide? The winner was announced that night behind the bar at the SoloSports camp… Levi Siver! With conditions dwindling slightly on the final day and only enough time to get through a few rounds of the pro double elimination, the final result of the single elimination was upheld giving Siver his third AWT title of the season!
The week hosted by SoloSports Adventure Holidays in Punta San Carlos, Baja, Mexico. THE AWT would like to thank everyone—hosts, sponsors, competitors, staff, and organizer Sam Bittner—for making this event almost twice as big as it was last year.
The next AWT event is the Pacasmayo Classic, in Peru taking place from Aug 17-26. Continue reading for the full results…
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Dutch freestyler Youp Schmit brings us this clip from Fuerteventura. Check it out.
Watch as the crew met some of the athletes in Tenerife after voting finished.
Boujmaa Guilloul tweaks a big front side air in Morroco this winter.
If you’re in Hood River be sure to check out the 2nd Swap Meet of the season, on August 5th hosted by the Columbia Gorge Windsurfing Association.
Swing by the Hood River Expo Centre by Waterfront Park. Sellers should show up at 7Am ($10) and if you are looking to pick up some sweet deals, check it out at 8 for free.
This year (2012) Camille Juban joined MauiSails team, check him out in this action clip.
