ASIAN WINDSURFING TOUR 19th GTE Micronesian Open kicks off Friday

The l9th annual GTE Micronesian Open, the fifth and final race of the Asian Windsurfing Tour, begins this weekend at Micro Beach with several world-class surfers vying for the $12,000 prize money.

Japanese champion and winner of the event for the past three years, Noriyuki Shirowa will face top contenders brothers Kevin and Matt Prichard, ranked 2nd and 9th in the world last year, respectively, and Jimmy Diaz, ranked 11th, among others. Australian Robbie Radis intends to defend his Asian Windsurfing Tour Winner title from last year.

Women’s professionals Yoshie lshinoda, Yoko Tosa and Hisako Hagihara, regulars on Saipan, will be trying once again for first thru third places.

Amateurs, who race for prizes such as sails and boards, include local Jeffro Elliot who just won second place in last month’s race in Boracay, Philippines. He faces Guam’s Keiichi Kobayashi, Manny Cabili of the Philippines, Saipan’s Bob Taguchi, Norimitsu Ono, and Yoshihiro Kitami, among many others.

In the Ladies Open, Saipan’s Ann Jordan, third last year, faces tough competition from local Ayumi Suzuki. The over 4O Master’s division will see locals Wesley Bogdan, Daniel Lamar, and Hidetoshi Nifta go against last year’s winner George Gesner of Diego Garcia.

Once again the Asian ESPN sports will be taping the event, so millions of households will be able to enjoy the beauty of Saipan. This year will see Klaus Michel, a professional race organizer, run a regatta.

Races will begin daily with the skippers meetings at 9:00 a.m. and again after lunch. Weather permitting nine races will begin near Managaha and head upwind in course-race format, then slalom through the lagoon and end at Micro Beach.

Anyone wishing to volunteer to help with the regatta is welcome. Please come to Friday’s registration at 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Hyatt or Micro Beach be fore 9:00 a.m. each morning.

NOTE: BOXED PLS.

DATE
Registration
Fri., Feb. 18
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Hyatt Lobby

Racing
Sat.-Sun., Feb. 19-20
Micro Beach, American Memorial Park, Saipan

RACES
Course Slalom

CATEGORIES
Pro Men, Pro Ladies, Open Men, Open Ladies, Masters

PRIZES
$12,000 cash for Pro division
Neil Pryde Sails worth over $2,500

ENTRY FEE
$100
SPECTATOR FEE
Free

CONTACT
Windsurfing Saipan 287-6965
Fax: 234-9785
e-mail: stomita@saipan.com