Australia's most iconic Windsurf Wave event: 2 days of full action from 13:00 until sunset.
The race saw both strong wind and high waves during the day and light offshore winds during the last Classic Margs session..
RIWmag has reached the newly promoted race director Federico Infantino for a short interview.

RIWmag: How and’ born this opportunity’ ?
Federico Infantino: I have been participating in this event since 2014, This competition has always been quite casual and local, every now and then international riders appeared being already’ here “on the island” in WA for photo shooting, but the potential of this event and’ enormous.
I was contacted by the Windsurfing Western Australia association who proposed me to organize the event.
I do not hide that it would have been my intention, in the years to come, apply as an organizer through my company Unleash Media House, and’ was a nice surprise even if really with little notice.
We had to organize the event in not even 2 months!!

RIWm: How do you race and be a race director without conflict of interest?
TE: Compete and be Race Director and’ A commitment that takes away whatever energy you have in your body!
Obviously this and’ A question I immediately asked myself!
I tried to be more’ professional possible in any field, Both as a race director and as an athlete; I knew that if everything went smoothly I would not give any reason for complaints, and I think so’ has been.
I am ambitious and professional, If I put my face on it, I give my all in everything.
My goal was to guarantee everyone fun, Lots of time in the water and good vibes to both athletes, that spectators and sponsors.
I could mention as an example/episode my Semifinal against Scott when, while I was in the water, I saw the Gazebo of the judges start to fly away because of the very strong wind, I went back to the ground to fix it in a hurry, losing all the timing and focus of the competition. Let's say I wasn't too happy at that time, but it was right so!

RIWm: If you were to repeat the occasion you will repeat this experience or what you will do differently next time?
TE: I can say that my first Australian experience as Race Director for the Margaret River event was an investment for the years to come.!
For the next event I will have much more’ time to organize everything.
The bureaucratic part in this case is the most’ difficult due to all the logistics and various permits involving the municipality, the region and Government.
I hope to be able to extend the permit regarding the competition days ( only 2 currently on 4 window days ) .
Also I will try to enlarge the event with the help of the International Windsurfing Tour and sponsors.
And definitely, with the necessary permissions, place a BUS as a station for judges, hoping that it does not fly away as well that (cosi’ I will not have’ more’ apology!)

RIWm: What’ Your final balance after this race?
TE: Counting the short time available, I can be very satisfied.
We received incredible feedback during and after the event!
For the first time there is’ was a Prize Money for the Elite category, Trophies for all the tops 3 of each category, Prize draws for all participants.
Premising that I consider myself really spoiled on the conditions of Main Break, I was very worried during the day 1 due to the unexpected strong wind that started blowing very soon, very unusual thing here. In those conditions the waves are not perfect, but like a Swiss watch, All 5 in the afternoon during the finals, the wind and’ filmed Off shore giving conditions worthy of this event.
The Post event is a fundamental part, management and creation of all media, articles and interviews and’ of vital importance for the success of the next edition.
The Unleash Media House Team, whom I sincerely thank, and’ Date’ at work!

Elite
1 Scott Mckercher
2 Bastien Escofet
3 Hendrix Stone
4 Ricky Vandertoorn
5 Federico Infantino
5 James McCanthy
6 Jane Seman
6 Ash Nicol
7 Ivan Zecca
7 Ben Arthur
8 Jake Ghiretti
8 Oliver Desforges

Master
1 Ash Nicol
2 Jonah Desforges
3 Peter Kenyon
4 Peter Tomsett
5 Serge Pillonel
5 Stuart Slocombe
6 Edward Debenham
7 Thomas Callenaere

Womens
1 Jane Seman
2 Santina Pillonel

Youth
1 Jake Ghiretti
2 Oliver Desforges
3 Camillo Pillonel
4 Zac Debenham
5 Santina Pillonel

Grandmasters
1 Paul Jackman Jacko
2 Raoul Abrutat
3 Darren Clark
4 John Koch
5 Andrew Pidden

Legends
1 Paul Jackman Jacko
2 John Koch

Expression Session
1 Bastien Escofet
2 Federico Infantino
3 Jake Ghiretti
4 Ricky Vandertoorn
5 Jane Seman
Best WipeOut
Ash Nicol

Rookie of The Year
Jake Ghiretti

Event Organizers:
Unleash Media House
Windsurfing In Western Australia

Race Director:
Federico Infantino

Main Sponsor:
Severne Windsurfing

Event Sponsors:
Windsurfing In Western Australia, International Windsurfing Tour, Department of local Goverment Sport and Culture Industries, Unleash Outdoors, South South West, One Day Cafe’, office Products Depot, Yahava Koffee, Beerfarm, Swings & Roundabouts, Gath Sports, Brumby’s, G-Force Australia, Surflogic Australia
WWA yearly Sponsors:
Patrik Windsurfing, The Foil Shop, WSP Windsurfing Perth, The Foil Shop, 2nd Wind Sailboards, Surf Sail Australia
Media
Unleash Media House

source, photo & video: Unleash Media House
interview: www.RIWmag.com