News Release  

(Results and photos...click here)

  The 2004 Canadian Windsurfing Championships, hosted by the Saskatchewan Windsurfing Club (SWC), took place at Regina Beach, Saskatchewan on Sept 2- 6^th. The event was well attended drawing competitors from 6 provinces and 2 states. Thanks and gratitude goes out to the 40 plus sponsors that helped make this year’s event possible.  Local, national, and international organizations and businesses contributed to this year’s event, making it one of  the best Canadian Windsurfing Nationals in history.

  Course racing kicked off the regatta on Friday with winds of 12 – 18 knots.  4 Great races were held, putting Ian Mathews (Ontario) in the lead, Torsten Tabel (B.C.) close behind, and Stephen Huszar (B.C.) in third.  The women’s category was quickly lead by the just returned Olympic sailor, Nicola Girke (B.C.).  Saturday, the wind showed its “Prairie Power” filling into a 20 – 25 knot day.  This gave room for some excellent Slalom Racing early afternoon, with Jeffery Stiles (Manitoba) taking an early lead, and Stefan Lidington (Oregon) and Stephen Huszar (B.C.) battling for 2^nd and 3^rd. Nicola Girke (B.C.) lead the women’s category with Andree Gauthier (Ontario) and Wendy Lustig (Saskatchewan) close behind.  Steady winds in the late afternoon made the Freestyle competition a reality as Stefan Lidington (Oregon) took the lead in the event, with Stephen Huszar (B.C), and Gord Heidel (Sask) in 2^nd and 3^rd.  Nicola Girke (B.C.) won the women’s.  As temperatures dropped significantly on Monday, the winds certainly didn’t thus allowing for 3 more Slalom races. Jeff Stiles (Manitoba) secured 1^st, Stefan Lidington (Oregon) 2^nd, and Stephen Huszar (B.C.) 3^rd. Nicola Girke (B.C.) held onto 1^st.

  Three action packed days of Course, Slalom, and Freestyle competition tested the competitors to their max.  The overall Championships were determined taking the 2 best disciplines out of the three.  The overall results are as follows: Pro Men: 1^st:  Stefan Lidington (Oregon), 2^nd: Ian Mathews (Ontario) 3^rd: Stephen Huszar (B.C.) Amateur Men: 1^st: Jorn Tabel (Alberta) 2^nd: Art Hosie (Sask) 3^rd: Steve Suchan (Sask). Pro Women: 1^st: Nicola Girke.  Amateur Women: 1^st: Andree Gauthier (Ontario) 2^nd: Wendy Lustig (Sask)  

  Information:

Please visit website at: www.cnwc.ca or call Stephen Huszar 604-818-1443 (Vancouver), 306-717-2316 (Saskatoon) or Ian Stewart 306-535-2225 (Regina)