This year's Mistral World Championships sponsored by Quiksilver will take place in Turkey at an awesome spot called Cesme.

The host of the venue is the Hotel Altin Yunus which is located just at the waterfront and on a peak of an headland, presenting an amazing view over the little Marina onto the bay of Cesme. Surfers launch at this time still from the Marina and therefore sailors, friends and guest are enjoying spectacular action just outfront the terraceof the Altin Yunus.
From tomorrow on all sailors will have to move to the beach on the other side of the headland were the Hotel is located on.
With over 100 men and 59 women competing from 44 Nations – the line up present the tops and hot shots from each country who are not only amped to fight for the medals but also for the last tickets to Athens 2004. Therefore close fighting not only in between nations but also insight the teams will be guaranteed.

The last two days saw 20-25 knots southerly offshore breeze, warm temperatures around 20 degree celsius and sunny skies which served excellent planing conditions for all competitors.

Gusty and shifty winds on wavey waters promise tough racing for everybody and strong wind specialists and current World Champions Przemyslaw Miarczynski (POL-126) and Lee KORSITZ (ISR-1111) are looking forward to defeat their title as conditions are supposed to be rough. So far course racing was self organized by coaches and meanwhile the onsite facilities were set up as measurement starts today.

The schedule sees the opening ceremony on Friday night and racing will start on Saturday the 8th with an official practice race and the Worlds from Sunday the 9th on throughout Saturday the 17th.

Stay tuned  - and aloha´e from Cesme – Aline Siepmann