The Sandy Pt Speed Fortnight is the premier speed event in Australia, organised by Al Green from Caloundra QLD. The 2008 event was held at the end of September. Australia's fastest riders travelled across the country to gather at the speed mecca of Sandy Point, in Victoria.

The first week of the contest did not deliver much wind. A series of small cold fronts came through at the start of the second week, offering some relief to the riders. The conditions were square and moderate during Monday, but as the tide came in the wind picked up.

Chris Lockwood flew over to catch the best 2 days of wind and set the best time for the event reaching peak speeds over 43 knots, and scoring a 5x10 second average of 40.9 knots using the Carbon Art SP40 and a 6.6m sail.

The next day brought more wind but at a broader angle. Many of the riders achieved their best speeds on this day. There were plenty of Carbon Art speed boards on the course, with some of the riders getting to try them for the first time.

For the first time, the town of Dungarvan on the southern coast of Ireland is preparing to play host for the fastest men and women in the speed windsurfing scene. From November 29th till December 6th all the big names of the sport will compete for points counting towards the 2008 Speed World Cup and the one-off Production World Cup Title.

Registration will open in early September with participants yet to be confirmed. It is expected however that most of the top sailors from the tour will enter the event. 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.

Many top Irish windsurfers are due to take part in the event, like Irish record holder John Kenny, the top ranking Irish GPS windsurfer Martin Waldron and of course multiple overall Irish windsurfing champion Oisin van Gelderen and current wavesailing champion Finn Mullen.

A very strong international women’s fleet is expected to participate and it is hoped that some Irish female windsurfers will take part and for the first time set an official Irish record.
 
The venue is recently discovered and new to the tour, once footage was viewed by the international windsurfing community it was very quickly acknowledged as a potential World Cup venue.

Due to unforseen circumstances the organisers have decided to move the venue for the 2008 Formula World Festival from Paracas to Ancon.

Ancon is situated just 44 km north of the capital, Lima. The town is situated on a bay of the same name, and is "maybe the finest beach club and bay in Peru".

Ricardo Guglielmino, for the organising committee, commented: "The advantages of Ancon are that is closer to the airport, have more facilities than Paracas and is really good wind in December, mostly 15-25 knots, daily. It is Summer, with great weather!"

The Peruvian Windsurfing Association is based in Ancon. The airport is closer to the venue; and free airport transfers to Ancon for 3 days before and the day after the event are available for all competitors.

Ricardo again: "A few important things - Ancon is close to the capital of Peru, so it's fun to be there in New Year, and all media and coverage will be closer too. For competitors is a really nice bay, with entertainment all day and night. Apart from the event, we have also got from the main Yacht Club there the invitation to their New Year's party for all, including families of competitors."

For competitors travelling to Ancon from outside South America - the cost of living is relatively inexpensive.

The first main fundraising event for Windsurfing 4 Cancer will happen on Sunday, 3rd May 2009.

On this date you are asked to join many hundreds of other windsurfers around the country who will get on the water (at their own local location or at Hayling Island).

At Hayling you can join some of the top windsurfers (Dave White and others) on the water. Many will be on the water at “Sunrise”. However you do not have to sail throughout the day, just get sponsored and get on the water.

Please join the many windsurfers who will take to the water that day. They will become part of a new national record for the “most number of windsurfers recorded in a single event on the water on one day”.

However this event is not just about setting a record because it is all about promoting Cancer Awareness amongst fellow windsurfers and, through specific projects, (SunriseSunset is the first such event) to raise funds for Cancer Research UK.

Please get sponsored and get on the water. If you can make it to Hayling Island that will be great but you can also do “your own thing” at your local venue.

Look at Windsurfing4CancerResearch.org for future events and activities and to find out how this fund raising web site came about.