The 2008 ISWC Speed Windsurfing European Championship - Press Kit

Karpathos prepares for thrilling action as the clock counts down to the 2008 Speed Windsurfing World Cup and the one-off European Championship.

For the third time in a row, the small village Afiartis on the idyllic island of Karpathos is preparing to play host for the world‘s fastest men and women in the speed windsurfing scene. From August 20th till 26th all the big names of the sport will compete for points counting towards the 2008 Speed World Tour and the one-off European Speed Windsurfing Championship Title.

In the men’s fleet, all eyes are set to the reigning world champion and 500m world record holder Antoine Albeau from France, who clearly dominated the season so far.

His strongest opponent is expected to be again Bjorn Dunkerbeck, living windsurfing legend. But also F2-Shaper Patrik Diethelm from Italy and current tour leader Cyril Moussilmani are expected to dispute the places on the podium.

Some more world class windsurfers from other disciplines are joining the speed tour this year, like local and Greek record holder Philip Adamidis, Chris Lockwood from Australia and Irish record holder John Kenny.

Also the women’s fleet is very strong for this second major event of the 2008 season, including 2007 world champion and current tour leader Valerie Ghibaudo as well as second ranked Marion Raisi.

After the excellent experiences from the past years, Karpathos is expected to show exceptional conditions again. The spot named “Devils Bay” is well known for crazy conditions up to 10 Beaufort side-offshore.

The 2008 Speed:World:Cup is sanctioned by ISWC (International Speed Windsurfing Class) on behalf of ISAF (International Sailing Federation). The organization will be done by the Municipality of Karpathos.

During and after the competition, we will supply press releases, video packages with broadcasting quality images and high resolution pictures.

For further details please contact info@speedworldcup.com


ISWC Background

The International Speed Windsurfing Class is the successor to the International Speedsurfing Association, which was administering the discipline of speed windsurfing in the last three years on behalf of IFCA.

Effective May 2007, the ISWC has become an ISAF international class, and thus is entitled to control all aspects of the sport and award the official world champion titles in the discipline of speed windsurfing.

The ISWC is a riders association, which means that the riders itself control the development of the sport. Beside the organizing people behind the scene, the executive committee is thus completed with the riders elected representatives. Its current and past members are the “crème de la crème” of Speedsurfing worldwide.

Elected chairman of the board is Peter Davis from Great Britain, enthusiastic rider and organizer of the famous Weymouth Speedweek. Tour Manager Markus Schwendtner from Germany already controlled the speed discipline business as ISA Tour Manager, and will continue this successful task for the ISWC from now on.

The ISWC events go from exceptional action in Namibia to more cosmopolitan spots such as Fuerteventura - the historical European Speedsurfing Capital, to huge shows of extreme conditions on small islands like Karpathos. In total, there are 200 to 300 members of the association at the same time, from places like Australia or Brasil, to Germany or Norway.

The Tour has to offer: Dynamic & thrilling action of one of the most visually dynamic aquatic sports. That makes it a perfect vehicle to locate sponsors logos and assure an image transfer from a healthy and environmental friendly outdoor-sport.

Superb action on the water, combined with an interactive and exciting life experience, that creates an atmosphere where the fans and the media are face to face with the most radical and intense competition and the biggest personalities of the sport.
Besides being a sport of radical action, Windsurfing is a way of life. This type of life is formed by several elements to which many aspire, but that few can really achieve. Most of, if not all of these aspects of the sport are represented in the Speedsurfing Grand Prix Tour.

The ISWC is entitled to hold World, Continental and National Championships and is always looking for partners, local organizers as well as national associations, to propagate this exciting and thrilling discipline all over the world.


Local Organizer

The Municipality of Karpathos through the Municipal Organization of Development are responsible for the organization of the 2008 Karpathos Speed:World:Cup.

A separate committee has been formed especially for this event and this comprises of the Mayor Mr. Micheal Ioanidis, the deputy mayor Mr. George Gergatsoulis, Mr. George Basilarakis, Mr. Ioannis Zamalis and Mr. Manoli Kritsiotis.

Besides this committee many of the local population participate eagerly in the organization of the event, being proud of presenting Karpathos to the world.

Worth mentioning are especially the Lyceeum of Greek Woman of Karpathos, who organise the Opening Ceremony, as well as the many young volunteers who take part with such eagerness and enthusiasm.


The Venue

Devils Bay Spot Description
Wind: in average 5-7 beaufort, cross offshore Beach: fine gravels The Devils Bay is still the most favoured spot of Karpathos. During summer we usually have a constant and reliable wind between 5-7 beaufort on the turquoise blue 24 degree warm water. In July and August, during the peak of summer, the wind can get quite strong in the Devils Bay and regularly reaches strengths above 7 beaufort. The flat water close to the shore gives a perfect speed arena.


Island Information

Karpathos has kept its original Greek character when compared to other islands. Besides world class windsurfing conditions and beautiful weather it offers a variety of alternative activities for all tastes. Karpathos has an international airport which serves for flights from Germany, Austria, Holland, Scandinavia, Slovenia, etc. However, even if you can’t get a convenient direct flight from your city you can easily get there via a connecting flight from the major airports in Athens and Rhodes that is operated several times a day by the domestic airline Olympic Airways.



Official Schedule

All times subject to be changed on short notice due to weather conditions.

Aug. 20th
15:00 – 17:00 Registration
20:30 Opening Ceremony (Amphitheatre Pigadia)
Mandatory

Aug. 21st
10:00 Skippersmeeting
11:00 First possible Start

Aug. 22nd
10:00 Skippersmeeting
10:30 First possible Start
22:00 Surfers Party at Baja Bar Afiartis

Aug. 23rd
10:00 Skippersmeeting
10:30 First possible Start
20:00 Riders BBQ (Baja Bar Afiartis)
22:00 Surfers Party at Baja Bar Afiartis

Aug. 24th
10:00 Skippersmeeting
10:30 First possible Start

Aug. 25th
10:00 Skippersmeeting
10:30 First possible Start
20:00 Riders BBQ (Bar Anemos Afiartis)
22:00 Surfers Party at Bar Anemos Afiartis

Aug. 26th
10:00 Skippersmeeting
10:30 First possible Start
13:00 Last possible Start
After last race Price giving
21:00 Closing Ceremony (Amphitheatre Pigadia)
Mandatory
21:30 Reggae and Pop concert with “Achtung Liebe”


Pre Entry List

Competitors from 20 nations, representing 4 continents, have pre-registered for this Event, making it one of the “broadest” in Speedsailing ever !

Alessandro Comerlati
Alexander Doukas
Anders Bringdal
Andrea Baldini
Andrej Kocjan
Anja Kruse
Babis Sacandaris
Bani Seidel
Bart Goemans
Ben van der Steen
Benoit Moussilmani
Beppe Fortunato
Bjorn Dunkerbeck
Cedric Bordes
Chris Lockwood
Christian Borneman
Cyril Moussilmani
Daniel Aeberli
Daniel Borgelind
Dave MacInnes
David Garrel
Dieter Gerichhausen
Erik Larsson
Felipe J
Finian Maynard
J.B. Gautier
Jacques van der Hout
John Benamati
John Kerry
John Papaspirou
Jurjen van der Noord
Konstantinos Thomopoulos
Luca Petris
Magnus Bengtsson
Magnus Emanuelsson
Manolis Knapsiakis
Marco da Silva
Marion Raisi
Markus Tauber
Michael Öhlund
Mike Hessels
Minos Efstathiadid
Morten Knutsen
Nick Doris
Nick Vardalachos
Orlando Lavandera
Panagiotis Drakopoulos
Paolo Fortunato
Pascal Toselli
Patrik Diethelm
Patrik Juptner
Patrik van Hoof
Peter Volwater
Philip Adamidis
Roger Henriksen
Spatharis Vagellis
Steven Stratford
Thorsten Luig
Torsten Mallon
Valerie Ghibaudo
Vladan Desnica
Wolfi Seidel

Media Contacts

Speed:World:Cup Management (general information)
Rohrbecker Weg 43
14612 Falkensee
Germany
Fon: +49 171 3819139
Fax: +49 12125 10602902
Email: info@speedworldcup.com

Karpathos Windsurfing World Cup 2008
International Media Affairs Department
Christian Tillmanns
Tel: +49 (0) 700 84337446
Email: info@tillmanns.com

At the end of the event we offer:
o Roughcut
o Edited Highlight Video
o Picture Database

For more information about the Speed:World:Cup, the International Speed Windsurfing Class (ISWC) and the Professional Kite Riders Association (PKRA), please contact

Speed:World:Cup
Tour Manager
Markus Schwendtner Consulting GmbH
Wilhelmstr. 25-30
13593 Berlin
Germany
Fon: +49 30 2461 6930
Fax: +49 1212 5 10 60 29 02
email:info@speedworldcup.com

For direct media inquiries, high resolution pictures and video feeds, please contact directly
email: media@speedworldcup.com

Speed:World:Cup is the officially sanctioned world tour of the International Speed Windsurfing Class (ISWC) and the Professional Kite Riders Association (PKRA).

The Speed:World:Cup events go from exceptional action in Namibia to more cosmopolitan spots such as Fuerteventura - the historical European Speedsurfing Capital, to huge shows of extreme conditions on small islands like Karpathos. In total, there are 200 to 300 competitors at the same time, from places like Australia or Brasil, to Germany or Norway.

The Tour has to offer: dynamic, thrilling action, and bring the most visually dynamic aquatic sports to the audience, making it a perfect vehicle to locate sponsors logos; a sport that is set outdoors, healthy and environmental friendly.

Superb action on the water, combined with an interactive and exciting life experience, that creates an atmosphere where the fans and the media are face to face with the most radical and intense competition and the biggest personalities of the sport.
Besides being a sport of radical action, Windsurfing and Kiteboarding is a way of life. This type of life is formed by several elements to which many aspire, but that few can really achieve. Most of, if not even all of these aspects of the sport are represented in the Speed:World:Cup.

The Speed:World:Cup is entitled to hold World, Continental and National Championships and is always looking for partners, local organizers as well as national associations, to propagate this exciting and thrilling discipline all over the world.

...

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://www.speedworldcup.com

PREVIEW PICTURES: http://www.speedworldcup.com -> Press Lounge
Hi-Res Pics and Videos available on request.

TOUR MANAGER: MARKUS SCHWENDTNER

For more information about the Speed:World:Cup, please do not hesitate to contact us at:

Speed:World:Cup

Markus Schwendtner - Tour Manager
Rohrbecker Weg 43
14612 Falkensee
Germany

Fon: +49 1713819139

http://www.speedworldcup.com
info@speedworldcup.com

The Speed:World:Cup is sanctioned by ISAF, ISWC and PKRA

Please visit these links:
http://www.internationalwindsurfing.com
http://www.pkra.info
http://www.sailing.org

This release was published on openPR.