1998-1999

Malaysia Indonesia the Philippines Saipan

1999-2000

Taiwan Malaysia Indonesia the Philippines Saipan

2000-2001

the Philippines Indonesia Malaysia Saipan Taiwan

SAIPAN: The 19th GTE Micronesian Open

Saipan sits quietly amongst the island gems that form the Northern Marianas Islands in the heart of the Pacific. Its pristine waters, coral sand beaches and warm weather have made Saipan an attractive destination for Japanese and Korean tourists seeking an escape from their chilly winter climes. 19 years ago Shigeru Tomita decided it was the perfect location for an annual windsurfing event - and it is still running. This makes the GTE Micronesian Open, presented by Neil Pryde, the oldest windsurfing event in the world. On the 18th February 72 windsurfers from 6 countries gathered to race for three days on Micro Beach in front of the Hyatt Regency Saipan.

Japanese Champion Noriyuki Shirowa was in for a surprise when he arrived to register for the event. For the last three years he has reigned supreme and each year he has pocketed the first place prize money of US$3,000. This year though he was greeted by some rather formidable opponents. Arriving from Hawaii were four of the world's top twenty sailors - world numbers two and three are brothers Kevin and Matt Pritchard from the US. Also present were Jimmy Diaz (11) of the Virgin Islands and Thomas Larson (17) of Denmark from Team Pryde. Further strengthening the field was defending Adecco Asian Windsurfing Tour Champion Robbie Radis (31) of Australia, ex-Italian champion Roberto Hoffman and a further 11 Japanese professional men.

The event is course slalom racing which means there is at least one upwind leg in the race. All 72 windsurfers compete together and only afterwards are they separated into divisions (Men's Professional, Ladies Professional, Men's Open, Ladies Open and Master's (over 40 yrs old)). This meant that the casual amateur sailors, such as your reporter, had the opportunity to race head-to-head with the number 2 and 3 in the world. Admittedly "head-to-head" is rather an exaggeration in this case as the leading pros had time to finish the race and learn a new language by the time I had crossed the finish line and joined them on the beach. but in how many other sporting events can an "average Joe" rock up and race against the very best? Though a little humbling, it was also an exciting privilege.

One other notable feature of this year's GTE Micronesian Open was the number of lady sailors. So far on this year's Adecco AWT (with other events in Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines), the largest number of female competitors was in Indonesia with 7 ladies. Here in Saipan there were 22 ladies, mostly from Japan, including 7 professionals, each chasing the first place prize money of US$3,000.

For the two days prior to the event the winds roared down Micro Beach at over 20 knots. All was looking good for the event and indeed as competitors gathered for the first Skippers Meeting on the Saturday morning wind speeds were gusting over 20knots. Race Directors Klaus Michel and Shigeru Tomita had set a tough course with one upwind leg and seven downwind marks and a finish in front of the beach. With a mass start sailors jostled for position and as the start flag was raised it was an impressive spectacle as over 70 sailors poured across the line. The first leg of the race was the upwind leg and the pros really showed their class heading much higher and faster into the wind. Kevin Pritchard moved quickly to the front and behind him was Robbie Radis. As they neared the first mark though, Robbie had to tack again to make the mark and surrendered his position. Matt Pritchard, Jimmy Diaz, Thomas Larson, Noriyuki Shirowa and Akihiko Yamada all passed Robbie swiftly. In this format the first to the upwind mark has a huge advantage and Kevin was not about to surrender his lead. Indeed the leaders remained as they were when they crossed the line with brother Matt in second followed closely by Jimmy, Thomas, Shirowa and Yamada.

The Pritchards had obviously thrown down the gauntlet and it was up to the other competitors to respond. Race Director Klaus Michel changed the course for the second race with all Professional Men being required to complete a second upwind leg. This lengthening of the course would make it more challenging for the Pros and it would also mean that they would have to work their way through the other competitors who only had one upwind leg.

In the second race it was Thomas Larson that made his move and he was looking good in the downwind leg but a strong gust and a lapse in concentration saw him catapulted into the sea. Kevin again crossed the line first but this time it was Jimmy in second, a frustrated Thomas in third and Matt Pritchard in fourth. Again Shirowa crossed in fifth.

The winds dropped a little for the last race of the day but were still gusting over 20 knots so for many this presented problems in sail selection. Already the pattern was fairly set with Kevin proving tough to beat and the chasing pack of Jimmy, Matt and Thomas fighting it out amongst themselves just ahead of Shirowa, Robbie Radis and Yamada. Sure enough Kevin again surged to the front and in a close battle Thomas crossed second with Matt up to third and Jimmy down to fourth. Shirowa again finished fifth and Robbie Radis crossed in sixth.

As things stood, Kevin was looking comfortable with three firsts but the chasing group of brother Matt, Jimmy Diaz and Thomas Larson were all tied in second with absolutely nothing to separate them.

Meanwhile in the ladies division defending champion Yoshie Ishinoda was facing a difficult field. Junko Nagoshi was fresh from her victory in the Hawaiian State Championships and was looking on form. Yoko Tosa, winner of the Indonesian Adecco AWT event was there along with Hisako Hagihara, winner of the Philippines Adecco AWT event. This would be a close contest. In the first race Junko took first with Yoshie in second, Yoko in third and Hisako in fourth. The second race saw Yoshie take victory with Yoko in second and Junko in third. The last race of the day saw a repeat of the first and at the end of the day Junko led the division followed by Yoshie, Yoko and Hisako.

Day two dawned with a storm passing over Saipan. It left behind a calm see, still air and some frustrated sailors. No racing was done on the Sunday and with only the Monday remaining, and the weather forecast not looking good, Kevin was in good shape for his first Adecco AWT event title. Sadly the wind again failed us on the Monday so the results of the first day were to stand. Kevin Pritchard was the GTE Micronesian Open Champion for 2000, Professional Ladies champion was Junko Nagoshi, Men's Open champion was Japan's Masato Ogawa, Ladies Open champion was Megumi Sano and Master's champion was American Wesley Bogdan.

This brought to a close the second Adecco AWT and it can be confirmed as an unqualified success. There was a result at every event and it fulfilled its aim of bringing like-minded people together in exotic locations to race, party and simply have fun in the sun. With the 40 knot winds in Taiwan, the pristine beaches in Indonesia, the wild parties in the Philippines and the best sailors in the world in Saipan - the Adecco AWT has something for everyone. Following his four victories on the Adecco AWT (in Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines) Robbie Radis was crowned 1999/2000 Adecco Asian Windsurfing Tour champion.

The GTE Micronesian Open, just like all the Adecco AWT events, was recorded for worldwide television broadcast by Sportshows International from London and by the Asia Sport Show for regional TV. Official sponsors were the Marianas Visitors Authority, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Chong's Air-Conditioning, Hanson Micronesian Cement and DFS Galleria. Official Radio was Hot 98 FM and Official Publication was Action Asia Magazine. Major Sponsor for the Adecco AWT is Sol Beer and the Tour is presented by Neil Pryde.