TIM AAGESEN IS THE NEW KONA WORLD CHAMPION!

8 Aug 2011 · By Kona Class

Nivaa, Denmark – August 2 to 7, 2011

This year's Kona Worlds became another incomparable experience, with 61 competitors from 10 countries and 3 continents, flavored by the famous Danish hospitality and yachting know-how. The elegant club facilities at Nivaa are just something that has to be experienced, not to speak of the organization headed by Steen Buck Hansen (race organizer) and Jan Madsen (race officer). The daily race schedules, including morning briefings, were all executed spot on time.

In all kinds of conditions, the living legend and former PWA racer Tim Aagesen (DEN) outclassed his competitors with 7 bullets, two 2nds, and an 8th, which is by far the most impressive score in the history of the Kona World Championships. Tim was already champion after 11 races, but was gentleman enough to drop out of the last race to give others a chance. Last year's vice world champion, young Adam Holm (SWE), shone again to secure his second silver medal in style. Adam, or "Mr. Consistency," has become a regular visitor to the podium since his bronze medal in 2009. Joachim Larsson (SWE) finished 5 points adrift to collect his first overall medal, and it was not without a fight. With excellent boat speed, two bullets, and two 2nds, Joachim was always up there, but finished only 10th in race 4 and suffered an OCS in race 5.

Scandinavian Dominance

Not surprisingly, the Swedes went home with the most medals, including the Team Trophy for the second consecutive year, followed by the Danes in their home waters. However, Bernd Szyperrek (GER) sailed a flawless event (5th overall) to take the heavyweight crown ahead of Michael Anker (DEN) and Vincent Gaonach (FRA).

As expected, the young but experienced Dion van Laarhoven (NED) won the Cadet gold medal, followed by Geronimo Nores (USA) and Natasha Schalofsky Bate (DEN).

Women Power

Kajsa Larsson (SWE) made history, becoming the first Kona sailor to regain a World title, finishing 7th overall, this time closely followed by Fanny Bauman (SWE) in 8th overall. Kajsa won her first world title in 2008 at the age of 16 after a last-race photo finish with Manuela Buch (GER).

Another fantastic Kona Worlds – again proving its capacity as a class for all, with three weight groups finishing in the top five, and competitors ranging from 9 to 57 years of age. Allan Koch (DEN) surprised himself by winning the prestigious Veteran Cup (over 50).

Daily Race Reports

August 7, 2011

August 6, 2011 – Day 5

Race 10
It was partly cloudy with light offshore winds between 4 and 6 knots. The conditions proved to be very difficult, with holes and radical shifts all over the course. Björn Holm got off to a good start and led around the first mark ahead of light-wind specialist Johan Falenius (SWE), with Tim Aagesen in 3rd and Adam Holm in 4th. On the second upwind, things started to get tricky, and Johan Falenius took over the lead, followed by Bernd Szyperrek (GER). Both Björn Holm and Tim Aagesen lost several places in lighter wind on the right side of the course. Disaster struck for Björn Holm, who was disqualified for pumping on the final downwind, and for Tim Aagesen, who got trapped in a hole and dropped to 15th. Rok Puvar and Thomas Persson came from behind to finish 3rd and 4th, ahead of Joachim Larsson and Adam Holm.

Races 11 and 12
The wind direction shifted back to normal side-onshore and stabilized around 10 knots. Tim Aagesen continued his fantastic winning streak; he had already secured the World Championship before the final race and was gentleman enough to go ashore to give someone else a chance. Joachim Larsson regained his rhythm with a 2nd and went on to win the final race, lifting him back onto the podium in 3rd. Adam "Mr. Consistency" Holm lost his nerve in race 11, finishing 14th, but recovered in the final race to secure his silver medal with another 3rd. Björn Holm finished with a 3rd and a 2nd, missing the podium by just one point. Bernd Szyperrek worked his way up to 5th overall with strong finishes of 2-4-5.

August 5, 2011 – Day 4

Races 8 and 9
Never before in the history of the class have we seen a more impressive performance in a World Championship. Tim Aagesen went on to win both afternoon races. With 6 bullets out of 9 races plus two 2nds, Tim is an ocean ahead of his competitors heading into the final day. Adam Holm continued his consistency, adding another two 2nds to climb closer to silver. Thomas Persson (SWE) advanced up the leaderboard with a 3rd and 5th, while Kajsa Larsson took a giant step toward winning the women's division with a 4th and 7th overall in the afternoon races.

Race 7
Morning fog and 5 knots of wind greeted the fleet. As the fog cleared somewhat, race officials started race 7 as scheduled. "Danish Dynamite" Tim Aagesen controlled the fleet from the start, gradually increasing his lead as the breeze built. Joachim Larsson trailed in second for much of the race but fell back to 6th as thickening fog reduced visibility and tactical options. Hans Nyström and Adam Holm navigated well to finish 2nd and 3rd, while Fanny Bauman (SWE) climbed to 4th ahead of young Erik Bertilsson (SWE). Thick seaweed added to the challenge. The race committee wisely called for a break before running two more races in the afternoon.

In the lightweight division, reigning Cadet World Champion Maximo Nores (USA) holds the lead.

August 4, 2011 – Day 2

Races 5 and 6
The wind increased in the afternoon, gusting to 18 knots in full planing conditions. Tim Aagesen won race 5 in spectacular fashion and placed 2nd in race 6, cementing his overall lead with a scoreline of 1-2-1-(8)-1-2. Close behind was Adam Holm with an impressive run of 5-3-3-3-2-(6). Both Björn Holm and Joachim Larsson were disqualified for early starts in race 6 but retained 3rd and 4th overall. Rok Puvar slipped to 6th, while 2009 champion Hans Nyström showed his strength, scoring 7-2-4-5.

Races 3 and 4
Under blue skies and 9 to 13 knots, Tim Aagesen built a strong lead on the first upwind in race 3, controlling the race for his second victory, while Joachim Larsson finished 5th. Erik Jacobsen (DEN) sailed the race of his life to take 2nd, followed by Adam Holm and Björn Holm.

Race 4 proved dramatic when several top sailors misjudged a shortened first upwind leg. Overstanding the mark dropped Aagesen to 11th and Larsson to 13th, opening the door for Slovenia's Rok Puvar. Puvar seized an early lead and sailed flawlessly to take his first bullet. Hans Nyström finished 2nd, followed by Adam Holm and Thomas Persson. In the Cadet division, Dion van Laarhoven (NED) continued to lead, though Geronimo Nores (USA) showed his potential by winning the second race of the day.

August 3, 2011 – Day 1

Warm weather, enthusiastic competitors, and an impressive organization set the stage for the 6th Kona Worlds under sunny skies and winds from 6 to 13 knots, with 67 competitors from 10 countries and 3 continents.

Tim Aagesen got off to a flying start, winning race 1 ahead of Joachim Larsson, Björn Holm, Rok Puvar, and Adam Holm. As the breeze built in race 2, Aagesen and Larsson traded places, with Larsson taking the win to finish the day tied on points. Adam Holm placed 3rd, followed by Björn Holm and Bernd Szyperrek in 5th.

The sensation of the day was newcomer Rok Puvar from Slovenia, who scored a 4th and 7th to sit 5th overall after just two years of windsurfing experience. Kajsa Larsson led the women's division in 6th overall.

Top 10 after Day 1:

Joachim Larsson (SWE) – 3 pts
Tim Aagesen (DEN) – 3 pts
Björn Holm (SWE) – 7 pts
Adam Holm (SWE) – 8 pts
Rok Puvar (SLO) – 11 pts
Kajsa Larsson (SWE) – 12 pts
Bernd Szyperrek (GER) – 13 pts
Hans Nyström (SWE) – 19 pts
Michael Anker (DEN) – 19 pts
Allan Koch (DEN) – 20 pts

In the Cadet (U15) division, Dion van Laarhoven (NED) took two bullets, with Geronimo Nores (USA) securing two 2nds and Natasha Schalofsky (DEN) in third.