How do you sum up the challenge of Fistral with it's big surf, huge swells, strong winds, physical punishment, skills and bravery of Zapcat competitors and safety team as well as the thrills and spills which hold the spectators in awe?

Well you can ask the very surprised winner of the Grand Prix Craig Davis, Pilot of Bluesheets I and current two times defending National and Surf Champion "AWESOME RACING!"

Craig went on to say "With the new rules changes and Angry Hornet beating us yesterday in our class, the GP title was wide open, Rob and I loved the difficulty of the conditions and to find out we had won on a count back was great!"

Or you speak to one of the Race Officials and a past Champion

"Opening the season at Fistral is a tough ask of all the racers and the safety crew which is one of the reasons we have fewer teams than expected this weekend and only one Rookie team at this stage of the Championships." said Mick Pritchard, Officer of the Day.

Or the winner of Round One, Neil Frazer of Angry Hornet "To beat Craig is always good, to do it in the surf which he loves is even better, I have just taken Sam Healey and Tamsin Hartley from Rattler Cider out on an experience, they both loved it but I was being a little cautious as was Steve, I think this cross wind today is going to cause havoc, it may be a case of last crew standing!"

Prophetic words from a very experienced competitor and one of the Championship hopefuls.  As the early morning sun turned to wind and rain on Sunday the cross course strong south westerly did its best to upset the into and out of the surf-line legs.  With boats moving several meters off their original and intended race lines as they were blown away in the air!

Even with the sun shine returning the wind did not let up and combined with the strength of the waves the racers were getting punished with several teams retiring or co-opting and coersing former racers back into their boats so they could secure valuable points and even podium finishes.

Sixteen heats and two finals were held for both Championship Rounds but with the Second to last race of the day taking an absolute age due to the course being blown away, a few swimmers including an unexpected exit by one of the safety team, a couple of restarts as well as delays for a pretty skilled windsurfer it was time to run the last race of the day after a very long time in the muster area. With the first flip taking place two laps in it was time to call it a day.

Congratulations should go to all the teams and officials, especially the safety crew for their dedication and skill and a thank you to the Mayor of Newquay, Andy Hannon and  Sam Healey, Operations Manager of Cornish Rattler for presenting the trophies, medals and prizes as well as apologies for covering you both in champagne!

Thank you must also go to all the spectators, series supporters and event sponsors including Victoria Hotel, Sailor's Club, Bay Hotel, Annes's Cottage Surf Shops and Pampero Rum, as well as the Fitral Beach Bar and International Surf Centre.

Zapcat Racing will return for the final races of the season on 30th September and 1st October

We will close with a couple of posts from female supporters to the Facebook fan pages

" i watched the zapcats at fistral today and yesterday they were amazing! hope to go watch them again soon X"

" thanks to all the brave competitors, i had great fun viewing the saturday heats and races :)"

RESULTS

Round One

ZCR50X  1st Exe Jets, 2nd Team Essence, 3rd Trademymotor

ZCR50    1st Angry Hornet, 2nd Bluesheets I, 3rd Speedy Hire

Round Two

ZCR50X  1st Trademymotor, 2nd Live Wire, 3rd Contact Wait Out

ZCR50    1st Bluesheets I, 2nd Bluesheets II, 3rd Speedy Hire

CORNISH RATTLER FISTRAL GRAND PRIX

1 = Bluesheets I (won on countback of heat positions and points over the weekend)

1 = Trademymotor

3 = Angry Hornet & Exe Jets

..... ENDS.....

Rounds 3 & 4 at the Gosport Zapcat GP, Stokes Bay 11 & 12 June

Anyone considering getting involved as race teams or volunteers should contact the race organisers via www.zapcat-racing.com.  

Prospective sponsors should contact secretary@zapcat-racing.com, please also use this address for all other media enquiries.
For high resolution photography contact garybray@unicomsystems.com or download from here

Zapcat Racing - 0844 815 7793

Additional photography also supplied by © Ian Foster / fozimage