THE start of the 2016 slalom season was marked with the first major event of the year.

More than 60 windsurfers gathered at the Official Test Centre (OTC) at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy for the UK Windsurfing Association’s Slalom One event.

The forecast of very light winds leading up to the event was concerning to the competitors.

Fortunately, good management enabled a number of races to be completed across the weekend.

On the first day, the only racing to take place was for the masterblaster fleet, due to the lack of wind.

The second day looked equally unpromising, however the wind built in the afternoon. There was enough for the Amateur and Professional fleets to complete one race each.

In the masterblaster fleet, an astonishing 28 races were completed. The winner was Josh Hunt with second place going to Megan Kraft.

The winner of the amateur fleet was Kacper Wozniak with Ian Roberts in second place.

Keen 14-year-old Weymouth windsurfer Sam Anstey competed in the amateur fleet. He achieved 13th position and was the best-placed under-17.

Meanwhile, in the professional fleet, the race was won by Ross Williams. Kevin Greenslade from Weymouth finished in second place.

In the professional fleet, a very credible result came from Scotty Stallman. The 14-year-old Weymouth windsurfer finished 16th among a fleet considered to be one of the top in the country.

Another young promising local windsurfer was recognised for his improvement in the sport at the event.

James Faley was awarded the most improved sailor prize by Ross Williams. He was presented with Williams’ signed competition rash vest from the Professional Windsurfers Association’s (PWA) Fuerteventura 2015 event.

Speaking about the award, Williams said: “Reaching the podium in the PWA event in Fuerteventura in 2015 was one of the proudest moments of my career.

“Yesterday I passed my event rashie on to this young chap, who I have seen out on the water just about more than anyone.

"Whenever I am in town, come rain or shine, summer or the coldest winter days he is out doing his thing.

“It’s an awesome feeling to see someone so stoked on windsurfing as I was when I was a kid.

"Hats off to Tris (Best) and his team at the OTC in Weymouth for all the efforts they make bringing young kids like James Faley into windsurfing.”

Tris Best, director of the OTC said: “The best moment of the whole weekend actually happened off the water though, when two-time world champion Ross Williams presented up-and-coming local young gun James Faley with a memorable prize he will always cherish.

“It was such a poignant moment and there was no one more deserving of the prize than James.”

The next event in the Series will take place on May, 21-22, at Hayling Island.