News IODA AFRICAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2011

IODA AFRICAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2011

Algerian sailor Abdelkha Boussaouar crowned IODA African Champion 2012. View photos of the prize giving ceremony...

Hammamet, Tunisia
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Algerian sailor Abdelkha Boussaouar crowned IODA African Champion 2012. View photos of the prize giving ceremony...

 

Photos of the Prize Giving

 

 

 

October 8 - Last day of races

Today saw the completion of the event with all three races sailed in strong winds. A cold system had hit the area with a subsequent drop of 10 degrees Celsius in the air temperature. In the middle of race 12 a cloud with strong wind and rain went through the race area while sailors were on the run, but possitions remained unchanged.


Abdelkha, African Champion 2011

The event was finally won by Algerian sailor Abdelkha Boussaouar, with a total of 22 points, 7 ahead of South African sailor David Wilson, who was the runner-up, and 19 from Dhiaeddine Chaaben from Tunisia, who added a total of 38 points and finished third overall.

Ines Gmati from Tunisia finished 8th overall and first in the girls fleet.


Girls podium

 

| Results | More photos closing ceremony |

 

October 8 - Individual races again

As announced by the Race Committee yesterday, competitors sailed 4 races which allowed for the completion of a total of 9 races, bringing the championship back to schedule.

Winds averaged 11 to 12 knots throughout the day but, blowing from shore, the gusts and shifts made the races a real challenge for the sailors. The first race was sailed in relatively steady winds and lasted 36 minutes; the second one, on the contrary, was the most difficult for the sailors due to the frequent windshifts. The Race Committee had to adjust the course before races 3 and 4 of the day but the difficulties remained. After 9 races and with the first discard already in effect, the leadership of the championship is now in the hands of Abdelkha Boussaouar from Algeria. David Wilson is now second, 7 points behind Abdelkha, while Dhiaeddine Chaaben is back in third position. Among the girls, it is Ines Gmati from Tunisia who is leading the fleet with 85 points.

| Results |

More photos: The Girls

 

 

October 5 - Team Races


Algeria, proud winners

The African Team Racing Championship took place today with the participation of 5 teams: Algeria, South Africa, Egypt, Tunisia 1 and Tunisia 2. The format chosen in this case was a round robin with finals and semifinals. As forecasted, the event was full of action and adrenaline, especially during the finals.

There were 10 first races to qualify the first four teams that would go to semifinals. After these races Egypt had to go home and the semifinals took place between Algeria and Tunisia 2, and between South African and Tunisia 1. Algeria had been the best ranked after the qualifications and had the chance to choose their opponents. They chose Tunisia 2, who had finished the qualifications in fourth place. After two races Algeria was already in the Finals while in the other group it was Tunisia 1 who took the leadership and made it to the Finals.

Tunisia 2 and South Africa sailed the minifinal, a race to define the third place of the Championship, and it was South Africa who finally took bronze.

The winner of the event would be the winner of three out of five final matches, and it was with much expectation that everybody was looking forward to the races of the Finals. Both teams sailed to their very best in all 5 races, making it an unforgettable show. The first two matches were won by Algeria, who by that time were confident of their success, but Tunisia 1 wouldn't give up so easily and won the next two matches. The 5th match became the real final of the IODA African Team Racing Championship, as both teams already had two wins. One could feel the tension and anxiety among the sailors, a couple of whom (from both teams) went over the line too early. The match was very interesting as the lead changed from team to team as the race progressed. In the end it was Algeria who won the match and were crowned IODA African Team Racing Champions 2012.


One of the five final matches

The wind conditions were generally good and the Race Committee changed the course frequently to adapt it to the wind speed and direction. The finals were sailed in 13 knots. The beauty of the racing was that a total of 20 matches were held and no match took less than 7 minutes or more than 10.

 

October 4 - Second day of races


David, first overall after 5 races

The day was long and tiring, not only for the sailors but also for the Race Committee, who had to work hard accommodating the course, postponing and restarting races. Anyway, two more races were sailed, after which David Wilson from South Africa consolidated his leadership in the championship. He is 5 points ahead of Abdelkha Boussaouar from Algeria, who has been in second place since the beginning of the races. Corentin Bretagne from Reunion is 7th overall and first among the girls.


Abdelkha, second overall after 5 races

This is the report of the Race Committee about the day's races:

Race 4 started in steady 10 knots of wind, but as the race progressed the wind dropped and when the breeze was blowing only 5 to 6 knots, the Race Committee decided to move the finishing line closer to the gate. Right after doing so a squall approached the racing area bringing rain and guts of 22 knots. Luckily the stronger wind was blowing from the same direction as before so the positions of the sailors remained unchanged. All in all the race lasted 48 minutes. At the end of it sailors were sent ashore due to rain and thunderstorms.

Sailors launched their boats after lunch at 3pm, when the sky was clear and a good breeze was beginning to settle. However, by the time the sailors reached the course, the wind had dropped to 2 knots and AP had to be flown. At 430pm 8 knots of wind encouraged the Race Committee to start Race 5 (second of the day). But again, the wind began to slow down after Mark 1. However, as the boats were able to sail in fair conditions, the race was not abandoned and the first sailor finished 43 minutes after the start. 20 minutes later the blue flag of the finishing line was removed, leaving behind 4 DNF boats.

Tomorrow is the Team Race Day!! Expect much action and fun! There are 5 teams participating: Algeria, Egypt, South Africa and two teams from Tunisia.

| Results |

Photos...

 

 

 

October 3 - First day of races

The first day of races saw good winds blowing from the North throughout the day, with a minimum speed of 8 knots before the races, but increasing once the races have started, averaging 11 to 15 knots for most of the day.

After a short first race, and taking into account the stronger breeze, the Race Committee set a longer course for the next two races. Race 2 was started after a general recall and lasted 47 minutes, excellent timing in line to our standards. The 3rd race also saw some excitement in the last minute before the start, when many boats were on the course side, but most of which were smart enough to restart correctly.

Briefly, a good day for racing in steady winds. The forecast predicts good winds for tomorrow as well so we can expect another good day of races.

| Results | More photos |

 

October 2 - Practice Race & Opening Ceremony

Today the practice race was held in 8 to 10 knots of steady wind, of which sailors took advantage in order to put their skills to test against their contenders. All the sailors had a good start and the race lasted 45 minutes.

Later in the evening the Opening Ceremony took place with the usual parade and mixing of waters (a tradition of the African Championship) Every sailor took part in hoisting their national flags accompanied by the National Anthems. The parade was followed by the speeches of the Authorities, including that of Captain Abdur Rehman Arshad, IODA Vice President for Africa, Asian and Oceania. Arshad thanked all participating nations for being part of this event and especially Tunisia for being the hosts. A ride on a big touristic barge with music and drinks marked the end of the ceremony.

More photos of the Opening Ceremony

 

 

October 2 - Registration and Measurement

The African Championship is already underway in Hammamet, Tunisia. There are 35 sailors entered, coming from Algeria, Morocco, South Africa, Egypt, Reunion (overseas territory of France) and Tunisia. Measurement started yesterday and is expected to finish today, right before the practice race. The Opening Ceremony is also scheduled for today. More to come later.


Measurement takes place under the authority of Jean-Luc Gauthier (IODA IM)


More photos of the venue and measurement

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