Obviously it’s the same for everyone but everyone agrees it’s a pain. Forecast was well as you’d guess, rubbish, well wind wise anyway the sun was meant to shine but that was about it. We Formula sailors are always aware that we could spend many an hour just sat around waiting for wind so I won’t start complaining about wind conditions I chose this discipline and I wouldn’t change my choice to be honest.

So having said that and thinking back to August of this year and my indecision on if I was going to continue or not I actually arrived at the event happy with my choice to keep going, let’s be honest I really do love Formula and it has to be said that no matter how many times other sailors from other fleets chuck remarks at me about changing to another discipline where I’d get more time on the water my answer remains, no way. Why?? well let’s just quickly think about it why when the conditions are right and there are plenty of times that they are all the fleets set off before we Formula sailors do, we firstly cross the line going like a bat out of hell… none of this standing waiting at the start line stuff, its fast and exhilarating if you get it perfect and hit the start line fast and then to pass the other Fleets going round the same course that takes them on average 25-30 mins but takes us on average 16-20 mins, we leave them all standing and this for me is the buzz, the thrill that is windsurfing none of this pumping around in light winds, no not for me thank you. 

So to Allan Cross and Severne a big Thank You for letting me take the time to come to my own conclusion and for supporting me through that time, excellent sponsors and fantastic kit that has performed so well over the season with no issues other than me making a hole in my sail which has been mended and was down to me alone.

So the event, well it went as we thought it would no wind on Saturday and a little on Sunday which got us one race, it wasn’t great conditions but it was as good as it was going to get so we took it, I managed some good gybes and made some great decisions, certainly reading the wind and the tide better than ever and took my chances, the kit my favourite 11m Severne performed as always brilliantly, can’t begin to explain how comfy I feel on it, it rides so well and I can control it with complete confidence, this is also down to a great fin, my sponsors Ifju Fins have been fantastic and the fin performs excellently in my LWR and has never let me down, it’s a great asset to my set up.  Severne team rider Dave Coles and I battled it out for the front two positions leaving the rest of the fleet behind, it was a great race for us with Dave eventually coming in 1st and me coming just behind taking a happy 2nd, great job to Bob Ingram who got a 3rd place.

We did start race number two but as Dave and I got to the last mark it was abandoned due to the wind dropping, now this was a shame for me as had it have counted I would again have come 2nd in the race and that may just have given me enough points to get further up the overall rankings but it wasn’t meant to be. So the event finished, Dave Coles 1st, Me 2nd and Bob Ingram 3rd.

 End of year results and rankings overall were good for me,

1st Overall Formula Youth 2016 (5th year running)  –  1st Overall National 11 2016 (2nd Year running) and Overall Ranking of 4th.

Happy with that, so that’s that for 2016. Next year I’ll be back with my great sponsors again, Severne and Juiceboardsports to compete in the UKWA Formula Cup Series, Formula Worlds and Formula Y&M World Championships loads to look forward to and plenty to work towards, but now it’s the winter break for Formula not that I’ll be taking any breaks next to look forward to my stay in Tenerife, road trip with my Dad starts on the 5th Nov which I’m really looking forward to, as is mum, peace and quiet for a week or so… So until next time…

As always my sponsors that cover both my disciplines are amazing so thanks to Severne, Starboard,Juiceboardsports, Rockerline Clothing, Ifju Fins and RRD.

A last quick note, if any youth out there would like to try out Formula get in touch, were a good squad that love windsurfing and especially windsurfing fast, so if your an adrenaline junkie give it a try……

James Battye GBR-939