Its great to see this event here in Oz superb spectacle, with the best sailors on offer, and great conditions. BUT (you knew that was coming) my impression of the event was it lacked any spark whatsoever. There was nothing to draw punters / non-sailors / non-windsurfers into the concept / sport. I was recently at the Half-Ironman in Port Macquarie and the atmosphere was electric with competitors, gear, announcements, music, radio station giveaways/exposure, specialist stores selling gear etc. This is an event that anyone could checkout without having to know anything about the sport and go away with a strong impression of the sport on race day - and know when the next local event is happening, and who to see to buy gear from.
I am probably speaking out of turn on this and organisers probably did try to get more support, and with the Comm. Games all the cash for events has dried up yada yada yada... BUT next time (if there is one) surely it's high time to maximise the "seemingly" growing return of interest in windsurfing, and use and event like this to really throw the sport back into the limelight and showcase the local events, people and industry.
), it is only cool because it is "new" and the media have picked up on it. you missed the bit where I said "next year it will be something else" (which is cooler) and the bit about freestyle MX being more enduring a cooler over the last few years. It is perceived as more hardcore than kiting and poling combined.
