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05.30 AM. Pitch black. Most are still sleeping, tired eyes arriving early at Jibe's Beach Club to reserve what they feel will be the best board and sail choice for the day. The 18th Jibe's Vietnam Windsurf Fun Cup is about to begin.

This year we saw entries from 11 different countries including Vietnam, Russia, USA, Thailand, Netherlands, Canada, France, Israel, Germany, Catalonia and Estonia. Great to see so many different nationalities brought together by their passion for windsurfing. Conditions this year did not disappoint: clean steady wind with a much smaller swell than previous years. Competitors could focus more on fine-tuning their rigs to produce maximum speeds with the added benefit of flatter riding conditions. The usual downwind slalom course was used with a total of 4 jibes.

Red. Yellow. Green. And the racing began. This year Fun Cup focused on 2 days of full powered racing. The first day saw some close action with Albert Pijoan (CAT), Ageer Shamil (RUS), Ilya Chaika (RUS), Maksin Koskin (RUS), and Ilya Panagushin (RUS) all battling for first place. The end of the first day saw Albert Pijoan sitting in first, Ageer Shamil a close second with Ilya Chaika chasing in third.

For the women’s event this year we saw some really high level riders, Vietnam was represented by Tran Thi Kim Chi (VN), Maria Shapkina (RUS) and Irina Gurko (RUS). Maria Shapkina dominated the first day's racing, only losing one heat to Tran Thi Kim Chi, leaving Irina Gurko in 3rd place for the day. The evening was spent at the Tropical Mini Golf, where contestants and guests were treated to some of the finest foods in Mui Ne in what can only be described as a tropical paradise oasis.

Day 2 saw very similar conditions; only difference being this was the last day for competitors chasing 1st, 2nd or 3rd to really give it all they had to secure a position on the podium. All heats were run consecutively, really testing the riders' stamina and skill. After all results were calculated for both days, excited faces gathered, eager to know their positions.

The prize giving this year consisted of brand-new 2017 Starboard iSonic slalom boards for the winners. Severne sails for second place (Freek and Unit) and Aeron booms for third. Special prizes were given to Tol Meltrer (Israel), our youngest competitor at the age of 13, showing high level riding and confidence never witnessed before. Also we must mention and give huge respect to Daniel Callahan (USA) windsurfing veteran, showing the youngsters that it is a sport for all with no age limit. To make sure others had a chance of taking home something special a lucky draw was held for all who entered the competition, some great gifts were won from luxury hotel accommodation, windsurfing equipment to romantic evening meals.

Results - 18th Vietnam Fun Cup -Men's:

1st Albert Pijoan (CAT)2nd Maksim Koshkin (RUS)3rd Ilya Chaika (RUS)

Results - 18th Vietnam Fun Cup -Women's:

1st Maria Shapkina (RUS)2nd Tran Thi Kim Chi (VN)3rd Irina Gurko (RUS)

The closing ceremony was something not to be missed, an amazing musical performance from the local orphanage for blind children stole the show and left the crowds wanting more, all proceeds from the Fun Cup go directly to this charity making the whole event really worthwhile. Traditional dancing as well as live singing all went to make an unforgettable evening that danced into the early hours.

Final thanks must go out to all our amazing sponsors which make this event possible: Starboard Windsurfing, Severne Sails, Shamal Windsurfing, DHL, Aeron Booms, Tropical Mini Golf, Marou Chocolate, Fanny Ice Cream, Sea Links City, Victoria Resort, Le Fruit, Coco Beach Resort, Full Moon Village, Jibes Beach Club, Coca Cola, 69 Slam and Dragon Beach.