Miguel Martinho, from the Algarve, won the ‘Carmim Lago Alqueva FW Series 2016 Portugal – European Cup’, first event of the Portuguese national tour Formula Windsurfing Series 2016 Portugal. The event took place at Lake Alqueva, in Alentejo, and ranked also for the FW European Cup and the Iberian Interior Waters Championship. The winner, representing the Clube Naval de Portimão and many times Portuguese national FW champion, has won the only two races possible during the four days event, concluded during the weekend, with 36 competitors.
It was a big event at Alqueva, a little paradise in Portugal and one of the biggest Lakes in Europe, in the middle of Portugal with amazing conditions for nautic sports and for many other sports like BTT, running, Skywatching (is the place in Portugal where we can see more activity in the sky, during the night, lots of stars, a beautiful moon).
The event was organised by the Clube Naval de Portimão, from the Algarve, with the sponsorship of the local (Alentejo) wine brand CARMIM and the big support of the City Hall of Reguengos de Monsaraz.
—
—
The Championship had everything; no wind, good wind, cold and day with a amazing sunshine with temperatures above 22 degrees.
The only thing that was a pity, was that for the first European Cup of the year, only Portuguese and Spanish competed, also this year since 2014 it had only one day with wind and a full Championship with 4 days and only two races. In the last two years 2014 and 2015, it had 12 to 15 races.
Apart of only one day with wind, it was the best event with the best conditions for the competitors and their families since the first in 2011. It had a big container with hot showers for everyone, food during the day, agreement with the local restaurant to have low cost meals for everyone, and dinner parties every night.
—
—
On Saturday night, a big dinner party was held at the EnoTourism of CARMIM, were it was possible to see the place where they produce the wine in Alentejo (one of the biggest Wine Cellars of Portugal) and all competitors and their families could by lots of wine, because CARMIM made specials prices for competitors buying one of the best wines in Portugal.
Now regarding the competition, in the 4 days the wind showed only on day 3, and even so it was a tricky one, wind between 9 knots and 13 knots, very shifty and gusty. It was a very long day only to finish two races, the wind all day was changing a lot, and the organization tried to do 4 races, but only 2 were finished. The wind was in the right direction, and forecast was good, but not the best in reality.
Miguel Martinho won the two races but all the 6 first competitors was very near, for you to have a idea there was 3 competitors with equal points in the 4th place. The first 6 competitors were POR 5 – Miguel Martinho, POR 78 – Bruno Bertholo, POR 4 – Luis Fonseca, POR 6 – Vasco Chaveca, ESP 15 – Miguel Marques and ESP 21 Carlos Ortiz.
—
—
For next year it is already agreed with the City Hall to organize once again the event at Alqueva, one of the best Portuguese Championships of Formula Windsurfing.
Comments