PATRIK DIETHELM SECOND AT THE LANCELIN OCEAN CLASSIC

This year’s Lancelin Ocean Classic marked its 30th edition, the longest running windsurfing event. It was also the first official compentition for Loftsails’ brand new Racingblade 2015 in the hands of Patrik Diethelm, who despite a bad starting position at the beach was able to recover and finish second:

“The forecast for the race didn’t look too promising and with 12-14 knots around 13:00 and dropping down to 8-12 knots later in the afternoon I chose my secret weapon, the Patrik Slalom 128 in hollow construction with a 46cm Carbon fin and new Loftsails Racingblade 2015 8.6

The race started early when the wind just kicked in, I think it was 13:30 when the green flag dropped. Unfortunately my position number on the beach didn’t advantage the start and I was not as fast running into the water and then as the fin grounded into the sand and a small wave broke over the board nose I just felt stuck and could not move for about 10 seconds. When I finally managed to beach start I had no wind with all those sails and felt I was stuck there for 5 minutes. Sure it was less but it really felt endless and there is nothing you can do but simply watch all the other guys sailing away miles ahead. A few gusts allowed me to pump and finally get going.

Looking ahead and seeing hundreds of sailors in front of me turned me angry, and that was exactly what I needed to chase everyone. Fully fired up I pushed all I had, but soon I felt that my equipment was on the bigger side feeling like riding a wild black horse. Anyway, all was a bit more challenging but the pit bull mind never gives up and overtaking one after the other felt good and motivated me. When I was about halfway through the first reach I saw the first guys jibing and I thought I could be happy if I was able to make it into the top 10, so my anger rised which helped to push even harder. After the third jibe I was very surprised to see that I already catched up to about 15th place and I really felt fast with all the new gear. Some reaches were a bit more broad and with my big equipment I could use the advantage to go deep and fast at the same time. The distance to the top guys shrinked more and more and the first thought to be able to become top 3 crossed my mind. When most riders get tired after a while and slow down a bit it is when I can convert the pain into power and drive even more.

After the fifth jibe I was already top 5 and ready to fight for the podium. After overtaking the third and finally the guy in second I was happy and thought that it was useless to fight for first at the last reach but then I realisd Steve was too high and it was clear that he had to jibe two more times and I knew that this would be my chance to make the finish line in one reach to possibly overtake him and win the event. Even I was already super tired from all the catching up I started to pump and ride the waves to go as deep as possible. Unfortunately I also couldn’t make it and had to jibe twice as well and finished second.”