#kitesurfing – French professional kitesurfer Bruno Sorca, has completed the first ever passage from France to Ireland adding to his English Channel record. The crossing was completed last night, and he was welcomed in to the Royal Cork Yacht Club in Crosshaven.
Having conquered this latest adventure, the talented kitesurfer admits he is already eyeing up his next challenge; a New York to Brest kitesurf crossing in 2015.
At 5.20 am yesterday morning July 19th, Sroka, a triple world champion kitsurfer, left Penn enez beach at the Aber Wrac'h in Brittany to achieve his long-awaited crossing heading towards Crosshaven Cork, Ireland writes Claire Bateman.
With a 16 knots speed north-east wind he started with his kitesurf in the colours of Ireland for 240 nautical miles (444 km). It's the first time ever that a kitesurfer undertook and successfully completed such a challenge.
He hoped to complete this challenge in about 16/17 hours and reach the other side of the Channel in or around 10.00 pm. All this he did and what a finish it made.
It was not easy to establish his whereabouts but a number of RIBS and sailing craft set out to the area of Roches Point approximately 9 pm prepared to wait for the arrival. It was a lovely evening to await the three times World Champion Kitesurfer. However, the sun went down in a brilliant blaze of light over the harbour and the moonbeams started to cast their light on the water. Where was the Kitesurfer and his support. Suddenly some of the boats started to leave Roches Point and took off in a south south east direction your scribe and photographer amongst them. Equally suddenly as if from nowhere a posse of RIBs came from behind to join in. Next thing the whole posse returned at a screaming pace towards Crosshaven encircling the triumphant Kitesurfer aboard his support boat which he had boarded at the outer mouth of he harbour.
It was truly like a scene from a James Bond movie, the moon casting this shimmering glow on the water, the twinkling lights of the speeding boats, the flashing of the cameras with everybody trying to get a glimpse of Bruno Sroka who was clenching his hands in triumph and delight . The wash from the boats was unbelievable to be speeding through, I don't think I have ever experienced anything quite like it!!
Professional kitseurfer Bruno celebrates his arrival into Cork Harbour last night shortly after finishing his 244-mile journey from France. Photo: Bob Bateman
The Royal Cork Yacht Club was a blaze of welcoming lights and the boats moored on the marina were filled with sailors applauding the triumphant kitesurfer and the lawn area was also lined with more members applauding enthusiastically. The welcoming gathering included the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, at home in his club accompanied by his little daughter and a very large black dog!!
Kitesurfer Bruno nears the Irish coast last night. Photo: Francois Van Malleghem/
Once ashore Bruno was surrounded by well wishers and admires with all seeking autographs and wishing to be photographed with him. Here,this gracious and charming young Frenchman must be commended that in his complete state of exhaustion he found time or everyone that wanted to speak with him and sake his hand.
The journey was within his anticipated time and he must be feeling extremely proud and happy that he had come from Brittany to Cork Harbour the longest kitesurf to be completed to date
This morning will see a reception hosted at the Clubhouse where Bruno Sroka's amazing feat will be recognised.
Official press release below:
Mission accomplished, Bruno Sroka reached his goal ! Yesterday morning, 19 of July, at 6.25 a.m three times World champion Bruno Sroka left from the Penn Enez beach at l’Aber Wrac’h, Brittany and joined Crosshaven, the bay of Cork, Ireland at 22:02 p.m.(local time) by kite. After 16hours and 37 mins of sailing Bruno realised one of his dreams ! He managed to kite 240 nautical miles (444km) in a row and reach the glorious victory ! He became the first kitesurfer that did France Ireland crossing !
In the diming day light Bruno was greeted by dozen of boats that came up to meet him at the entrance of the Crosshaven, bay of Cork.
Tired but very happy at the same time Bruno was nicely surprised of this amazingly friendly crowd greeting him at the harbour. « We did it ! I can’t believe it’s over ! I am so pleased to see all of these boats that came to celebrate my arrival ! I am very happy ! » says Bruno.
« It was very difficult but today I feel proud of what I have done ! I had rather good wind during the biggest part of the crossing and the last part of it was the hardest one. The wind was dieing rapidly and I was obliged to change the boards that I was riding. No matter what all that count is to arrive to the finish line ! And thats what I did ! I do feel pain in most of the parts of my body but this is something temporary that I will forget about meanwhile the glory of victory – never ! »
Bruno Sroka accomplished his first crossing of the three year crossing series with the grand final New York – Brest kitesurf crossing in 2015
