The 25th and 26th of July, Aurelio Verdi met the AV-Boards team riders Bjorn Dunkerbeck and Vittorio Marcelli, Andrea Cucchi and Federico Benamati in Torbole, Garda Lake.
The reason of this AV-Boards Team meeting was that the local Circolo Surf Torbole held the RRD One Hour Classic 2020.

This was the first time for the windsurfing legend Bjorn Dunkerbeck to attend this Classic Garda Lake long distance venue, and taste again some good competition vibes with Pro riders such as former Slalom World Champ Matteo Iachino and many other PWA Top riders and amateurs windsurfers coming from all over the Europe.

Despite the friday rainy weather with thunderstorms, everything was just perfect for the race on Saturday and Sunday. To have Bjorn as guest star in one of most important Italian windsurfing spot and on the most prestigious Italian race has been pretty exciting for all the windsurfer who came on the place, making Bjorn always busy with selfies, autographs and big smile for everybody. And really Bjorn always shows that he got time and smiles for everyone!

Saturday, right after lunchtime, the usual thermal  “Ora” wind picked up, allowing to start the Foil One Hour, with the same long distance format of the windsurfing One Hour, but dedicated to Foil Windsurfing equipment. One buoy on one side of the lake, one buoy on the other side, rabbit start all together, and 1 hour of time to go full speed. The windsurfers who makes more side in one hour is the winner. Pretty easy… and tough!

Saturday right after the One Hour Foil, was launched the Slalom version as well, and Bjorn took a very good start, fighting since the beginning for the top positions. Unlikely just at the end of the first side, the wind completely died and the race was abandoned and postponed to sunday. So, perfect time for Bjorn to sign again some autographs and to go for a freeride foil session on his AV-Boards Chubby 137, that showed to be the right boards to enjoy even the lightest breeze.

Sunday the wind took more time to pick up and when starting procedure are launched it’s almost 4 PM. The wind looks light, so Bjorn choose a Modena 138 in combination with a 9.4 sail and 48 cms fin. Unlikely right before the start the wind increased pretty much and so, even if Bjorn had a good start, he was overpowered and he had to fight against the sail and the fin, setting between the 11th and 14th position. Then right on the last reach, a big hole before the finish line stopped our big man and he lost a bunch of positions against lighter riders, finishing in 22nd position!

Our local and young rider Federico Benamati has followed the legend for almost all the race and he is one of these light riders who overtook Bjorn on the last reach, closing the race in 18th position, 5th in the Under 20 ranking. Congratulations Federico!

The race for the victory was a close call between PWA Top Riders Jordy Vonk and Matteo Iachino, with Jordy leading almost all the race, being overtook by Matteo right on the last reach and right on the same wind hole! Congratulation to both for the great race!

So, after so many emotions, with the wind blowing again light, the time was just perfect for foiling on Chubby 137, while the guys were busy again with the One Hour Foil.

And then, it’s time for the prize giving ceremony, in sweet memory of local legend Alberto Menegatti, with guest star Bjorn Dunkerbeck on the side of the podium.

For sure this edition of One Hour Classic left great memory to everyone who has been there, and we’re sure that next edition will be even better and more, so see you there for the 2021 edition. All the AV-Boards team will be there to welcome you!