Gardasiewicz Nails It! Pawel Gardasiewicz (POL-102) takes the title of 2014 Raceboard European Men's Champion, 11 points clear of his tough rival Maksymilian Wojcik (POL-7) with Patrik Pollak (SVK-1) just three points behind in third place. Joanna Sterling (AUS-254) wins the Championship with a perfect score of 12, almost half the points of her closest rival.  Antonia Dominguez (ESP-11), second overall, claims the title of 2014 Raceboard European Women's Champion and the youngest lady in this competition, Aleksandra Blinnikka (FIN-56), is third overall.......( more )

Gardasiewicz v Wojcik! Pawel Gardasiewicz, who took the bullet in every race to claim the Masters World Champion title at Windsurfing Marina Julia, Italy in June last year, was on fire today and has claimed the top spot on the leaderboard. Three firsts and a second means he finishes the day 4 points ahead of Max Wojcik.  Patrik Pollak has slipped down to third, 6 points behind. ......( more )

Another Three Races on Day Two of the Europeans Beautiful sunny skies greeted competitors on the second day of racing at the Ergo Hestia Raceboard European Championships in Sopot, Poland.  It was windy too but rather gusty.  The wind increased substantially in the second race and many sailors changed to their smaller sail for the final race of the day.......( more )

Raceboard European Championships Under Way Three races heralded the start of the 2014 "ERGO HESTIA" Raceboard European Championships taking place in Sopot, Poland.  World Champion, Max Wojcik, racing on home turf, started as he means to continue with two firsts.  ......( more )

May Battle Commence!

Recall that in last year's World Championships played in the Czech Republic, after summarizing the results of the penultimate day, Patrick Pollak and Max Wojcik have the same number of points. It was not until the last day of competition the title of Raceboard World Champion was settled. Before the start of this year's European Championships in Sopot, we were able to talk to the master. 

Do you know how many competitors will take part in the championship in the class Raceboard?
Max Wojcik: Last year the Raceboard World Championship started out with more than 100 competitors, I hope that maybe we could get a hundred in Sopot at the Sailing Club Ergo Hestia.

You once said that Poles know how to sail and race, and that this class has the potential?
Max Wojcik: Class Raceboard is as attractive as any other sailing class. It gives me personally a lot of joy, a sense of accomplishment and a number of challenges to overcome which gives me a lot of joy and confidence in everyday life.

Do you fear your competitors?
Max Wojcik: I'm prepared physically and mentally to compete in Sopot. This is my club, where I first stepped on the board and I know it very well. I feel confident and at ease here. I like the competition, while having respect for other competitors.

Do these games require special predisposition and preparation?
Max Wojcik: As with any competition at the highest level, you require preparation specific for a given event. With increasing experience, my awareness of how to prepare for the race is growing.  Helpful here is the knowledge of the waters and the specific wind and fantastic sparring partners Pawel Frydrychowicz, Piotr Olewinsk czy and Michal Pierosiuk, all sailors with Ergo Hestia Sopot Sailing Club.

How do you remember racing in previous championships?
Max Wojcik: Each regatta is unique. Not only because of the victories, but mainly because I spend this time with special people with the same passion. The group Raceboard atmosphere is of respect and sympathy. On the shore we help each other while competing fairly on the water. It makes me feel at ease among my friends, Polish and foreign.

It remains to wish you good luck and victory in this year's championship. Let us hope that home waters will be an advantage!
Max Wojcik: Thank you very much. I promise that I will do everything to once again win.

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 EQUIPMENT FOR CHARTER

A limited amount of charter equipment will be available, please contact: mailtraceboard@internationalwindsurfing.com

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USEFUL EVENT INFO

EARLY ARRIVALS

Competitors arriving early are advised that support from the organizers can be arranged, in advance. For early arriving contact Piotr Oleksiak

PREVAILING CONDITIONS

Wind: 6-15 knots / Water temperature: 18 - 20 degrees / Air temperature: 20-25 degrees.

TRANSFERS

Transfer can be arranged from Gdansk International Airport to the event site.  Should you require transfer please contact Piotr Oleksiak

CAMPER VANS

Overnight parking of camper vans at the club is permitted but shall be booked in advance - contact Piotr Oleksiak.

ACCOMMODATION

The area has accommodation available in all price ranges. The event takes place during the school holidays. It is therefore advised to book early. For information about the accommodation: http://www.rcb.ergohestiacup.pl/

On the club premises there is also a small hotel, "Mesa Sopocka" restaurant and "Sloneczko" bar. Please see http://www.skz.sopot.pl/ for more.

The Club

Sopot Sailing Club Hestia Sopot is one of the biggest windsurfing clubs in Europe. The club was established in 1983 and now we count as many as 300 members, both amateurs and professional sailors. Our competitors are the winners of European and World Junior, Youth, Senior and Master Championships. Our best sailor Przemyslaw Miarczynski has for many years been one of the best Olympic Windsurfers, being both European and World Champion.

Sopot Sailing Club Hestia Sopot is a very good place for sport and for recreation. Situated on the beach of Sopot, but in the middle of Tri City agglomeration (Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot) offers many possibilities - beach, sun and sea, but also theatres, museums, cinemas, Aquapark and pubs, restaurants and shops. And it's a very good point for many regional excursions.

Please see http://www.skz.sopot.pl/ for more.

The City

Sopot is a seaside town in Eastern Pomerania on the southern coast of the Baltic Sea in northern Poland, with a population of approximately 40,000. It lies between the larger cities of Gdansk (to the south-east) and Gdynia (to the north), the three towns together making up the metropolitan agglomeration called Trojmiasto (Tri-City).

Sopot is a major health-spa and tourist resort destination.

For more information on Sopot please visit: http://www.sopot.pl/