GRAND FINAL
With the team sat in 2nd, we were hoping for a good day. Again the start was out the front of our house but the wind was lighter and a slightly different angle from the day before. We started by the outer reef and sailed a 2 buoy course with 3 reaches of monumental proportions, finishing right in front of the Pointe d’Esny sailing club, through the finishing line and up the beach for some rum courtesy of the event sponsors!
On the start line the wind shifted a little, I was wondering how we were going to make it to the first mark as it was looking tight! I thought I had botched the start as I’d gone too early, but I bore off downwind and got what was one of my best starts of the week ironically. It was pretty light wind but with the reaches being so long, the pack soon spread out and with some vigorous pumping after the gybes I managed to keep the board up on the fin all the way round finishing 5th. Kev had made a tiny error on the start and got swamped by the pack, coming off the plane and when I rounded the first mark I could see he was still trying to get going, I was gutted for him. It turned out though I didn’t need to be, because as I crossed the finishing line I looked behind and to my delight I could see the blue and orange of his GA Vapor speeding his way to the finish line for 9th. Right behind him was Jersey Chris in a cracking 10th; the team was still in with a shout for sure! Simon C. again did a pucker job for the team with a 23rd and Danny had a great finish too. Another race was strted, but with the wind shifting massively and becoming lighter, thankfully it was sacked off and we were delighted to find out at the prize giving that evening at the Astroea Hotel that we’d taken first place in the team event – go the Brexiteers!”
We’d taken first place in the team event – go the Brexiteers!”
Kevin Greenslade, 3rd Men.
“For me this event is the whole reason I have been racing now for almost 30 years. Racing and particularly international racing can sometimes become stressful. But somehow Christo has achieved exactly what he has set out to do with the vibe of this event. It’s about meeting like-minded people that share the love for our awesome sport. Somehow, unlike any other event I’ve ever competed in, you want everyone to do well. When you gybe and head back past a entire fleet of smiles or start to the sound of people whooping with joy instead of swearing with anger you know something is very right with an event. Of course the amazing conditions that Mauritius has to offer helps, but it really is the whole package, the relaxed attitude, the food, the friendships, the cocktail parties and BBQ’s on private islands, the list goes on and for all these reasons it will be difficult to stop me returning next year to defend our MAC title. Simon and I would like to give our personal thanks for everyone that made this trip possible for us, that includes you Skyeboy! I feel extremely lucky to have returned from this windsurfing paradise with new friends and an extension of my windsurfing family.
If you want to taste a piece of windsurfing heaven then look no further than the Mauritius Attitude Challenge and for more details on the event, check out www.mauritiuschallenge.com .
Special thanks from myself, Si, Kévin Grosjean and Jesper Orth to Julian & Natasha Maurel, Xavier König and the whole Tyack Family for your hospitality and general awesomeness.”
Karo van Tonder, 1st Women.
“I love long distance races. There is something magical about hooking in and blasting off into a vastness of open waters without stopping! As usual, my legs are once again covered with reef scars and I wrote off another fin during a race! But it’s part of the package and I love everything about this event! It is all about having fun, meeting amazing new people, learning from the pros and pushing your limits in perfect windsurfing conditions”
Kévin Grosjean, 1st Men.
“The MAC is for every kind of sailor! It can be hard racing for those who want it or more like a freeride course with friends to discover an awesome place from the water. Apart from the stunning windsurfing, there’s snorkelling, hiking and partying. If you’re an outdoor activities enthusiast you cannot be bored on this island! Oh and the food is amazing also!”
Fabrice Leclézio, 2nd Men.
“This event is a mix of long distance, very long distance and PWA style slalom and with the discard if you miss a day or if you don t like a particular day’s format you can still stay well ranked.”
Simon Chippington – team Brexit.
“I’d recommend the MAC to most sailors from blaster to top end pros, it’s a fantastic mix for everyone, including non windsurfing partners to families. I stayed with Gina at the Astroea hotel that’s right on the beach and perfect for rigging / storing kit / sailing from and also great for the other half’s sunbathing/ snorkelling.”
Danny Geereedhary – team Brexit.
“The event is suitable for intermediate freeriders right up to seasoned pro slalom & distance racers. It’s also a great event for partners and families owing to the island’s setup and great entertainment packages. The hospitality attached to the event is like no other hospitality offered at a windsurf racing event on the planet!”
Christopher (Christo) Tyack – event organizer.
“I believe that having different types of format in an event makes the best rider stand out. My objective is to make this event a ‘world’ windsurfing team championship for amateurs. No prize money, just for the fun & the pride of representing your country and team. But my focus is not only the top riders, I prefer to have a good average sailor with a good spirit than a top rider with a bad attitude.”
It’s about meeting like-minded people that share the love for our awesome sport. – Kevin Greenslade.