
10th of October 2003
Christine Johnston Wins Formula Windsurfing World Championship
Dramatic Finish Gives Christine the Win

“I thought perhaps I had sailed the wrong course, or the wrong number of laps, because I couldn’t understand where the other racers were on the last lap. I saw my coach Adrian Jones on the beach and he gave me the thumbs up, so I knew it was alright!”
Christine had a high pressure couple of days to end the regatta, both waiting for the wind and for the outcome of a protest involving two other competitors, the outcome of which could have robbed her of the title. Had Dorota Staszewska been disqualified from race 5, as was the original decision of the International Jury, then Lucy Horwood would have been leading, with Dorota Staszewska pushed off the podium into fourth position. On the final day of the event the decision was overturned by the International Jury, and there was no wind for any further racing. This gave an ecstatic Christine Johnston the World title, her first World Championship title in 12 years of windsurfing racing competition.

Dorota Staszewska previously won the Formula Windsurfing titles in 2000, 2001, and 2002. This result could be significant for women’s Formula Windsurfing as it is only the second time Dorota Staszewska has been beaten ever, so dominant a force has she been. Christine is hopeful it will herald a new era for women in the sport:

Christine raced throughout on the championship on a Starboard 147, Gaastra Kpro 11.0m Nitro 4, rigged on a 550 Ignition mast, with a 70cm R13 Deboichet fin. She was wearing Neil Pryde Jenna de Rosnay wetsuits, and a Gaastra race harness.
Christine is sponsored by: Starboard, Gaastra, Deboichet, Neil Pryde wetsuits, www.executivesonline.co.uk and Dragons Gymnasium in Hove, East Sussex.
Results:
1 GBR-93 Christine Johnston 8,4 points (0,7 0,7 4,0 3,0 7,0x)
2 GBR-95 Lucy Horwood 9,7 points (4,0x 4,0 3,0 0,7 2,0)
3 POL-1 Dorota Staszewska 10,4 points (2,0 7,0 0,7 10,0x 0,7)