2025-2026 Event Results

2025 Mid Winter Championships
Balmoral SC, NSW.
July 19th-20th.

https://www.sailwave.com/results/Windsurfer_NSW_Mid-Winter_2025_Results.htm

2025 Windsurfer LT Australian Midwinter Championship Event Report

Balmoral Sailing Club

19–20 July 2025

Sailors arrived at beautiful Balmoral Beach on Saturday to a picture-perfect winter morning, with bright sunshine and a pleasant 12-knot westerly breeze. After registration and weigh-in, the 43 competitors were briefed by Club Commodore Kevin Wadham before heading out onto Hunter Bay.

By the time racing commenced, the breeze had eased to around 8 knots. With a short start line and shifting conditions, getting clean air off the line proved critical in a tight and competitive fleet. Racing was split into two starts.

Saturday Racing Highlights:

• Lightweights: Bruce Kendall, Sarah Kenny, and Mal Rolfe each claimed a win.

• Mediumweights: Matt Ivshenko took two wins, Stuart Gilbert one, with Luke Myers close behind.

• Heavyweights: Matt Williams dominated with three bullets, followed by Andrew “Dolly” Divola with three second places.

• Super Heavyweights: WA’s Gordon Salvage led with scores of 1,1,2, ahead of Simon Jones, Mark Long, and James Scott.

• Women: Mel Webb dominated the division, with Karen Murden and Nanami Terasawa taking the minor placings.

• Cruisers: Michael Dupe took two wins to Andrew Tridgell’s one.

As the breeze faded in the afternoon, the decision was made to kick off the “50% Fun” early. Marty French fired up the BBQ, serving gourmet sausages and icy beverages on the deck. Meanwhile, Stuart Gilbert and Bruce Kendall entertained a captivated audience with tales from windsurfing’s golden years—some of which can’t be repeated here!

The evening continued with a pizza night and a great social atmosphere as the sun set on a fantastic day of racing.

Sunday Racing:

Sunday delivered more of the same—beautiful winter sunshine and a bit more breeze. The race committee didn’t muck around, running four back-to-back races. Shifty winds, pressure lines, and tidal flow made tactical decisions critical, and places were hard fought.

• Lightweights: Bruce, Mal, Sarah, and Paul Ivshenko all traded blows.

• Mediumweights: Lars Kleppich arrived fresh from soccer and made his mark with three wins, finishing third overall behind Matt Ivshenko and Stuart Gilbert, with Luke Myers close behind.

• Heavyweights: Dave West, another late arrival, showed his yachting prowess with two wins. Dolly and Matt Williams claimed a win each, with Australian windsurfing legend Mark Paul consistently in the mix.

• Super Heavyweights: Gordon and Simon battled at the front, while Bruce Perry surged on Day 2 to claim valuable points.

• Women: Karen Murden fired up with a pair of wins, pushing Mel Webb hard.

• Cruisers: Andrew Tridgell found form on Day 2 to edge out Michael Dupe.

After a lunch break, the breeze shifted south and built to gusts of around 15 knots—though the pressure remained patchy. Picking the correct side of the course and staying in breeze was critical. With the second discard coming into play, the final race had plenty riding on it.

Race 8 Winners:

• Lightweight: Bruce Kendall

• Mediumweight: Luke Myers

• Heavyweight: Andrew “Dolly” Divola

• Super Heavyweight: Gordon Salvage

• Women: Mel Webb

Once ashore, the BBQ and drinks resumed on the deck, with a great atmosphere carrying through to the presentation ceremony.

Thanks & Acknowledgements:

Huge thanks to Kevin Wadham, Peter Doolan, Mark Dunk, Marty French, and the fantastic Balmoral race team and volunteers for running such a fun and efficient regatta.

⸻

Final Results:

Lightweight:

🥇 Bruce Kendall

🥈 Mal Rolfe

🥉 Sarah Kenny

Mediumweight:

🥇 Matt Ivshenko

🥈 Stuart Gilbert

🥉 Luke Myers

Heavyweight:

🥇 Matt Williams