Simon's back in action

From the archive, first published Thursday 30th Sep 2004.

ONE of Cornwall's former premier wind surfers returns to competition at the Weymouth Speed Week at the beginning of October. Simon Hinkley, from Hayle, has not competed since 1995, when he finished second in the Speed Week competition with a speed of 34 knots.

"I have been windsurfing since 1982, competing on a national level since 1986, but lost some of the `fire in my belly' in the late 90's. That fire is now back, and despite a nagging shoulder injury, which is part of de rigeurs of wind surfers, I am in good shape.

"I am really looking forward to competing, and it will be good to gauge myself against the new breed! This will set the benchmark for future challenges and competitions and I am excited, albeit somewhat nervous, to see how I get on."

Hinkley has received great support through sponsorship for this event, with Cornwall and New Zealand based company, Demon Design Sails, supplying his competition sails, such as the 5.9 metre as pictured.

Demon have been making yacht and windsurfing sails since 1980, and 20 world titles have been won by sailors using Demon. Escape Surfboards have supplied Hinkley with a custom made speed board, with owner Bill Attley, based in Wadebridge, making boards since 1995. Taurus Logistics, nationwide courier service, are backing Hinkley with the entrance fee and accommodation for the event. Taurus are owned by father and son team, Peter and Dave Willis, based in Portreath.

The Weymouth speed week is the oldest speed event for sailing craft in the world. The event is centred on an accurately measured 500 metre course located in Portland Harbour which provides the ultimate challenge for the speed sailor to pit his wits against the elements and endeavour to raise the world speed record upwards from the current absolute speed of 46.52 knots set by Yellow Pages Endeavour in October 1993.

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