Windsurfing: Mahe-Praslin race-Stephen Stravens misses record but extends winning run |26 September 2005

It was also his seventh victory in nine years. But Stephen Stravens, who accomplished the Mahe-Praslin crossing on a Fanatic board (volume 110, skeg 46) and 9.0m2 sail, was unable to beat his record of 57 minutes 51.62 seconds set in 2002.

He tackled the set course of 44 kilometres in 59 minutes 07.16 seconds in 15 knots of winds which at times gusted up to 18 knots.

The windsurfer told Sports Nation that “I feel so good about winning the race for a fourth time in a row, but I would have been happier if I had broken my record.”

The sailboarder, who will be celebrating his 30th birthday on September 29, also described his victory as an athletic triumph.

“Weather conditions were perfect when we set off and I had to mark Hoffman (Daniel) who was probably my toughest challenger.

Midway through the race, the sea got a little rough and I lost valuable time. My aim now is to get 10 wins and bring the record to within 50 minutes,” added Stephen Stravens who won a return ticket to either Singapore or South Africa from Air Seychelles, R3,000 and the Iron Man trophy.

Stephen Stravens’ other wins in the annual competition came in 2004, 2003, 2002, 2000, 1998 and 1996.

The two other Iron Man trophies went to Danny Gertrude and Paul Latulippe who finished second and third respectively.

Gertrude also finished as the first veteran (over 40 years old) in a time of 1 hour 08 minutes 47.32 seconds and he went home with a purse of R3,000.

Latulippe also triumphed in the Master category (35 to 40 years old) in 1 hour 09 minutes 08.36 seconds and he received a sum of R2,500.

The other six placings were occupied by Daniel Hoffman (fourth in 1h10:47.14 for R1,000 and a scenic flight with Helicopter Seychelles), Harold Stravens (fifth in 1h10:47.29 for R750), Neville Georges (sixth in 1h13:27.00 for R500), Bertrand de Charmoy Lablache (seventh in 1h19:39.17 and best junior sailboarder to win R1,000), Gene Jeannevol (eighth in 1h23:01.16) and Cedric D’Offay (ninth in 1h23:01.16).

Only John Vidot failed to complete the distance.
All windsurfers were followed by a support boat.

It must be noted that the race was originally scheduled for Saturday September 17 but was called off by the organisers after the wind failed to pick up speed at the starting time of 11 a.m.

The race was postponed to Saturday September 23 and then pushed to Saturday October 1. It was then reinstated to September 23.

G. G.