Steve Allen wins the 2014 Lancelin Ocean Classic marathon again in 2014
Steve Allen was the first one, who crossed the finish at Lancelin
118 athletes negotiated gusty 15-20 knots wind to finish the 25-kilometer down wind race from Ledge Point to Lancelin.
10 time world champion Steve Allen from Australia has over come a dramatic false start to claim his second Windsurfing Marathon title in as many years at the Lancelin Ocean Classic on Saturday.
Allen, who finished in a time of 29mins 59sec, was forced to regain his composure when a restart was called after a group of sailors apparently misheard the starting siren. Steve Allen won in 2013 with a much faster overall time of 24mins 48 sec.
“The start didn’t have too much of an effect on me, it was the seaweed that slowed me down more than anything.” Allen said.
The 40-year-old from Queensland said he was confident going into the race, but was keeping a close eye on the fast finishing Isaac Devries, who took out second place in a time of 30mins 12sec.
“I was just stoked to be the first back to the beach, the conditions were tricky, especially at the start, almost all of us carried seaweed off the beach except for Isaac, but I was able to reel him in.” Allen said.
Peter Volwater finished third in a time of 30mins 41sec, Perth local Jesper Orth in 4th, while one of the pre-event favourites and 41 time world champion Bjorn Dunkerbeck finished fifth.
Lancelin Ocean Classic 2014 Results
1. Steve Allen
2.Isaac Devries
3. Peter Volwater
4. Jesper Orth
5. Björn Dunkerbeck
42. Kirra Pallent (best female)
full result here
And a little note: Ben Proffitt and Philip Köster participated in the long distance race, too. Philip already had experience from participating in the 2013 Defi Wind, but Ben took advantage of his one design racing knowledge and the hundreds of hours commentating PWA Slalom racing. This time Ben won the duel finishing the race in excellent 10th position. Philip around made it in 19th around 10 minutes behind the winner Allen. Ben was just 3 minutes behind the winner, 1 minute behind Dunkerbeck and less than 2 and a half minute behind the podium.
- read the update from the 2013 Lancelin Ocean Classic
- read the 2014 update about the Lancelin Ocean Classic Wave event
- watch the video of the 2014 wave event
Impressions on the start. The wind looked quite light:
A very well run race and thanks to Lancelin.
15-20 knots! That’s nonsense.
It was 10-12 knots at best and 5 knots in spells. If it was 15-20 knots it may have been a better race!