Monday, March 03, 2014
WISSA 2014: Preceded by the Championship of Russia
The first day of spring had successfully begun! The 2014 Russian National Kiting Championship is undergo. Tomorrow we start WISSA 2014!
By Natalia Sergeeva
By Natalia Sergeeva
Sunday, March 02, 2014
To the organizers of WISSA 2014
Greetings Friends
First and Foremost, THANK YOU!
We all know about how the organizer in Quebec pulled out, and what happened after that. By hosting WISSA 2014, you have kept alive the longest running international competition in the sports of :
- Windsurfing
- Wing Sailing
- Kite Sailing
Thank you for that. But now for a personal message.
For most of my life I have been fascinated with Russia. I studied the Russian language in high school [which was rare in the USA]. In college, I studied Russian culture, and geography.
I have a deep appreciation for all things Russian, and my admiration was only increased by interactions with friends made through WISSA.
The dedication, level of expertise, and sportsmanship shown by Russian sailors at WISSA events has been exemplary.
Now, at a time when I can least afford it [still paying for last year in Finland] comes my chance to visit one of the world's most spectacular cities- Saint Petersburg. You can not imagine my torture! I am awake at night thinking about what I am missing.
Saint Petersburg is just behind Lake Baikal on the list of places in Russia that I dream about visiting before I die. Please tell me this: Tell me that you all have a successful championships, and that because of this success, you will do it again so that I can plan ahead and BE THERE next time!
Thank you again so very much. I hope to see all of you in the future, but for now, best wishes for excellent success in the championships.
Respectfully,
William Tuthill, WISSA
Friday, February 14, 2014
Monday, February 03, 2014
WISSA 2014 - the Testimony of the President
WISSA was supposed to be in Quebec this year. We had a written proposal from a qualified organizer, but for some reason, they had to back out.
We had a potential back up with http://www.fishlakeiceboards.com/2014-sturgeon-stampede/ but they were not ready to do it on short notice.
Picking up the short notice mantle, out steadfast friends from Russia put together a World Championships against all odds. Against the backdrop of the Putin/ Sochi games, and in an environment where sponsorship funds are scarce as hen's teeth, our friends in Russia are saving the WISSA games by hosting them in St. Petersburg, Russia. It has not been easy for them, and WISSA owes them a great debt of gratitude for rescuing what could have been a disastrous situation***.
We are heading out to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, to meet with the Tourism & Convention Bureau folks as well as the organizers of the Sturgeon Stampede. Klaus Faisst [organizer of 2 WISSA events, and attendee of almost all WISSA events since 1991] is coming in from Toronto. Together we will try to arrange for WISSA 2015 to take place in Fond du Lac.
Rick is coming from MA, Dicky and Wendy are coming in from Kodiak, AK, and Riçards Leipens is coming from Riga, Latvia to run the Short Track Slalom [STS]. Riçards organized WISSA 2009 in Riga and is very active in the European scene. With his help, I think that we can secure the event for Wisconsin next year.
WING SAILORS! If you have never tried STS, you are missing something really great. We are trying to get together a group to do it on Sunapee, but everyone is stretched for time, so it has not yet happened. In essence , it is a downwind slalom that takes place on a 200x200 meter plowed track. It is high action, does not require much wind, and as much fun as you can have with your pants on!
Originally made for Hiberna ice boards, it became a part of WISSA in 2008. Wings hit the start line in 2009 in Riga, and the rest is history.
Just for fun, here are some images from Oravi 2011, St. Ignace 2012 and Kalajoki 2013
Will
p.s. here is the *** part. The *** refers to the fact that the WISSA Ice and Snow Sailing World Championships is the longest running international competition in the history of:
1] The sport of Windsurfing. Yes - it is true. The WISSA W.C. has outlasted every competition in the history of this waterborne sport.
2] The only and longest running international competition for wing sailors of all designs
3] Now hear this Johnny Heinekin. You were just getting potty trained when WISSA had the very first "traction kites" on the start line.
Ya - the WISSA W.C. is the longest running competition in the history of the sport of Kite sailing!
So there you have it: "Большое спасибо, друзья!" to our Russian friends for saving the day, and being the most excellent sailors ever!
William Tuthill
We had a potential back up with http://www.fishlakeiceboards.com/2014-sturgeon-stampede/ but they were not ready to do it on short notice.
Picking up the short notice mantle, out steadfast friends from Russia put together a World Championships against all odds. Against the backdrop of the Putin/ Sochi games, and in an environment where sponsorship funds are scarce as hen's teeth, our friends in Russia are saving the WISSA games by hosting them in St. Petersburg, Russia. It has not been easy for them, and WISSA owes them a great debt of gratitude for rescuing what could have been a disastrous situation***.
We are heading out to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, to meet with the Tourism & Convention Bureau folks as well as the organizers of the Sturgeon Stampede. Klaus Faisst [organizer of 2 WISSA events, and attendee of almost all WISSA events since 1991] is coming in from Toronto. Together we will try to arrange for WISSA 2015 to take place in Fond du Lac.
Rick is coming from MA, Dicky and Wendy are coming in from Kodiak, AK, and Riçards Leipens is coming from Riga, Latvia to run the Short Track Slalom [STS]. Riçards organized WISSA 2009 in Riga and is very active in the European scene. With his help, I think that we can secure the event for Wisconsin next year.
WING SAILORS! If you have never tried STS, you are missing something really great. We are trying to get together a group to do it on Sunapee, but everyone is stretched for time, so it has not yet happened. In essence , it is a downwind slalom that takes place on a 200x200 meter plowed track. It is high action, does not require much wind, and as much fun as you can have with your pants on!
Originally made for Hiberna ice boards, it became a part of WISSA in 2008. Wings hit the start line in 2009 in Riga, and the rest is history.
Just for fun, here are some images from Oravi 2011, St. Ignace 2012 and Kalajoki 2013
Will
p.s. here is the *** part. The *** refers to the fact that the WISSA Ice and Snow Sailing World Championships is the longest running international competition in the history of:
1] The sport of Windsurfing. Yes - it is true. The WISSA W.C. has outlasted every competition in the history of this waterborne sport.
2] The only and longest running international competition for wing sailors of all designs
3] Now hear this Johnny Heinekin. You were just getting potty trained when WISSA had the very first "traction kites" on the start line.
Ya - the WISSA W.C. is the longest running competition in the history of the sport of Kite sailing!
So there you have it: "Большое спасибо, друзья!" to our Russian friends for saving the day, and being the most excellent sailors ever!
William Tuthill
Thursday, January 23, 2014
WISSA 2014: Registration is open!
Please read WISSA RULES and ISAF RULES before proceeding with registration.
More information is coming.
Do not forget to SUBSCRIBE to wissa.org to get official invitations.
Monday, January 20, 2014
WISSA 2014: First time in Russia!
The time frame is defined, the information package will be published here once we have it.
Location: Saint-Petersburg, Russia, Port Hercules
Accommodation: Citytel Olgino
Preliminary program is as follows.
Opening Ceremony
12:00 Skippers’ meeting
13:00 First possible warning signal for start
10:00 First possible warning signal for start
10:00 First possible warning signal for start
15:00 Last possible warning signal for start
Prize giving & Closing Ceremony
Location: Saint-Petersburg, Russia, Port Hercules
Accommodation: Citytel Olgino
Preliminary program is as follows.
WISSA 2014 Winter Surfing World Championships
Monday, 2014-03-03
Preparations and practicingOpening Ceremony
Tuesday, 2014-03-04
8:00 – 11:00 Registration12:00 Skippers’ meeting
13:00 First possible warning signal for start
Wednesday, 2014-03-05 – Friday, 2014-03-07
9:00 Skippers’ meeting10:00 First possible warning signal for start
Saturday, 2014-03-08
9:00 Skippers’ meeting10:00 First possible warning signal for start
15:00 Last possible warning signal for start
Prize giving & Closing Ceremony
Sunday, 2014-03-10
Departure
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