The Skywest Geraldton Blast Marathon took place on the 8th of November and the conditions were great with winds sitting around the 20-knot mark. The Marathon started with a mass beach start with all sailors starting at the same time and a running beach finish. The race is not over untill you run up the beach and put your hand on the table. The course is a giant down wind slalom starting with a 6km down wind leg then turns into a giant down wind “M” course.



As the gun fired, it was Jesper Orth (Severve/StarBoard) and Robbie Radis (NielPryde/Kinetic) basting off the beach at the same time closely followed by Chris Lockwood (Arrows/Kinetic). Jesper Orth was upwind of Robbie Radis and looking to becoming over the top of him but Radis seems to get into the grove and started to pull away and after the 6km down wind leg. Radis pulled out a 200m lead on Orth with Lockwood following close behind. Throughout the giant M course, Radis maintained his 200m lead from Orth and was looking to come take the event out with ease when it all went wrong.

50m off the shore, Radis hit a sand bar and had to run through the water to the beach.

Orth saw this and took a different line to the shore. Orth found a deeper line and sailed straight to the beach but crashed onto the shore doing 20 knots falling over. Then Radis ran into a whole falling over as well. The crowed on the beach went wild as they both got up and it was a mad dash for the table. However, it was Radis just edging out Orth by 5m. Lockwood followed 30 sec latter with Clord Lecoq (Arrows/Kinetic) coming in 4th.

It was a great finish to a great event.



Robbie Radis (NielPryde/Kinetic) commended,” What a finish! I through I had it in the bag and then I run out of water and found myself running through water as I saw Jesper getting closer and closer. I’m so happy that I managed to get there in the end.

I had a finish with Jesper like this a couple of years ago where I just hit the beach first but we both fell and Jesper managed to get up first and win. This time it was my turn.”





Results

1. Robbie Radis (NielPryde/Kinetic)

2. Jesper Orth (Severne/Starboard)

3. Kris Lockwood (Arrows/Kinetic)

4. Claude Lecq (Arrows/Kinetic)



One the Sunday followed, four all in full fleet slalom races.

The conditions were perfect with 15 to 20 knots of wind.

In the first race it was Radis who took the lead into the first mark but run into a Cray line catapulting him over the front. Lockwood then took the lead followed by Orth and Lecoq.

Lockwood then headed too high for the next mark and let Jesper and Claude through.

Radis was coming on strong and passed both Kris and Claude to take second with one reach to go. Robbie managed to catch and pass Orth on the last reach to take the win from Orth with Lecoq in 3th followed by Kris.

Race 2 saw no mistakes from Lockwood as he took the lead from the start and didnt look back to take the win followed by Radis and Orth.

Race 3 saw Radis take the lead from start to finish with Lockwood in second followed by Orth.

Race 4 Lockwood had to win the race and Radis had to finish worse than fourth for Lockwood to take the event so it was all still open. Off the start Radis took the lead and pulled out a 100m lead by the first mark with Lockwood in second followed by Orth.

Half way down the second reach it was all to change as Radis found another cray pot line catapulting him over the front. Lockwood then took the lead with Orth in second.

Robbie sail was pointed staight down and could do nothing but watch the fleet go by.

Lockwood went onto take the win with Orth taking 2nd followed by Lecoq. Radis recovered but came in 6th so it was Lockwood to took the event and his first event win for the season with Radis in second followed by Orth.

Comments. Kris Lockwood (Arrows/Kinetic) It feels so great to win this event. I am really stocked.





Results

1. Kris Lockwood (Arrows/Kinetic)

2. Robbie Radis (NielPryde/Kinetic)

3. Jesper Orth (Severne/Starboard)

4. Claude Lecq (Arrows/Kinetic)




__________________
Simon
gowindsurfing.com