The final Team 15 event of the year for the South Region took place at Sandbanks, Poole on Sep 12th. This coincided with the Animal Windfest weekend and so the four Manic Monkeys competing had the oppportunity to rub shoulders with some big names in the windsurfing world. Joining the Monkeys were competetitors from seven other teams from the region in what turned out to be a record fleet of 53 boards. The T15's sailed on the harbour side on a lovely sunny day with a gentle NE wind that held out for all the four races of the day - also perfect weather for the Manic Monkeys supporters gathered under the Monkey flag on shore!Harry Tanner and Alexei Murphy competed in the 3.5m class in a fleet of 20 sailors. Alexei started the day badly, going the wrong side of the finish boat and being penalised with an additional lap! He recovered well to win the remaining 3 races, ending the day the fleet (and Techno) winner with a minimum 3 points. Harry competed fiercely and finished in overall 10th place. His competitive showing was justly recognised with a Merit award in this class.
Miles Hewitt Jones and Nick Hemsley competed in the 4.5m class. The full fleet, apart from the 3.5's, raced together and with 35 sailors the starts, on an upwind leg, were always going to prove difficult. The Monkeys had mixed fortunes at the starts with some excellent and some not so good but battled hard with Miles finishing 9th and Nick 10th in the series.The Oxford Zoomers continued their success with another victory in the team competition and so had a clean sweep at all four T15 events in the region this year.
Top windsurfing personalities Olympic Bronze Medallist Bryony Shaw, four times World Windsurf Slalom and Race Champion Antoine Albeau, and Pro windsurfing stars Jamie
Hawkins and Robby Swift were on hand to give out the prizes. With all T15 events of the year now complete, the Manic Monkeys will be honing their skills at Bray on Thursdays after school with some racing planned for Saturday mornings. Who knows, having now met Antoine Albeau in person, the Monkeys may get some strong winds and tackle his 49.09 knot world record!
