I was reading this interview of Kevin Pritchard in the digital mag and it seems like the dude would rather race in formula than slalom, calling the last "boring"!! Man whenever there's a show on tv in which I know there's gonna be some windsurf I won't miss it! But if bloody formula comes up it's like pfff.... disappointment!
Slalom is faster and more fun to watch! If the conditions are there they should just do it! In the end of the year there's more exiting racing pictures and I rekon it's better for the sport's image than some huge gear barely planning on glassy water.
What's the general opinion?

I would like to know how slalom's demise came about in the first place?
I get the idea that pwa racing which gave way to formula was different to slalom.
and never actually having seen a slalom race other than picturesI am in need of some edification in this area.

please enlighten me.

best winds
Tony L

haircut ,you've obviously never had your favorite orange with purple stripe wettie fade from fluoro to cream in 3weeks from purchase.
and you will have to grow a mullet to suit!
can you meet the challenge?

quote:

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Originally posted by RAL INN

I would like to know how slalom's demise came about in the first place?

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Two problems as far as the pwa are concerned... wind/time constraints, racing changes to a single format and less gear required as you only have one style of racing (formula could easily race in traditional slalom conditions). Pressure also came from the wave camp as soon as the wind got up since it was worth more points wise, is more exciting to watch/promote and had dedicated wave only sailors attending events. Speed events also would have had similar impact.

KP was comparing slalom to supercross where for sure it is boring, in fact slalom IS pretty boring to race due to all the reasons he listed it dosent change much from amateur to pro... get to the mark first don't screw up and you've won. As Rick23 pointed out there is so much potential for positions to change in formula. The most fun i've had racing slalom was figure 8 in waves, it just added a little extra to the racing. Yeah formula boring to watch but do you listen to the racers or the spectators.

Hey guys

I am new to all this and continually get confused by all the different types of windsurfing. Could you old hands please explain what the actual difference is.

From what I can see from the mags, both styles use largish gear and race around a marked course.

TA

mkseven

Thanks for that. Has removed some of the mystery.

Sounds like fun, but can you make sure exerybody crashes at every jibe, so I can have half a chance.

best winds
Tony L