Windsurfing and kitesurfing: Mahé-Praslin crossing |24 September 2021
Lablache in action
All set and ready for tomorrow’s race
All is set and ready for tomorrow’s windsurfing and kitesurfing Mahé-Praslin crossing and the organisers are hopeful the weather condition will be right for the race to go on.
So far, 28 competitors ‒ 15 windsurfers and 13 kitesurfers ‒ have registered for tomorrow’s crossing and the organisers have said the ideal condition for the race is when the wind is blowing between 13 and 15 knots.
It is hoped that all will be fine tomorrow morning for the race starting at 11am in the Victoria harbour. There will be a briefing prior to the race, at 9.30am, at the Sail Training Scheme, Roche Caïman.
Originally scheduled for last Saturday, the race was postponed after the organisers were informed that the wind condition would not be up to the required speed.
To ensure maximum safety of the competitors, the Seychelles Coast Guard and the Seychelles Maritime Safety Authority (SMSA) will be assisting. Moreover, each competitor must have an individual boat following them.
Among the many competitors for tomorrow’s race is Bertrand De Charmoy Lablache who is dedicating the crossing to help the Impact Sports Education Entertainment (ISEE) raise funds.
Funds collected will be used to buy special bed(s) for terminally ill patients spending their last days at home, and water sports equipment.
Patients who are terminally ill need maximum comfort during their last days, especially those who are at home with loved ones.
“We often hear people in need for specialised beds especially those who are losing their battle to illnesses like cancer, and these beds are not always readily available,” said Impact Sports Education Entertainment (ISEE) founder Stephanie Duval.
ISEE intends to present the bed(s) to relevant authorities who will be in a better position to assist patients who are in need.
As for the water sports equipment, the ISEE would like to assist with the development of the sport in Seychelles.
The reasons these two causes were chosen are because one of those specialised beds costs more than R15,000 and families often struggle to get one for their loved ones who are battling their illness during their last days. As for the water sports equipment, since Lablache is a professional windsurfer he would like to encourage the youth to take up the sport that he has been doing for the last two decades and thus be an active part in its development. A full set of kitesurfing and windsurfing equipment cost more than R40,000.
ISEE believes that everyone is capable of being a catalyst in the empowerment and development of their community. For this reason we urge all sectors to come together and help create a world that is better and safer; a world where everyone has access to the necessary tools they may need to make their lives and that of others around them better.
ISEE is an organisation founded by Stephanie Duval, Sheryl Youpa, Amanda Rose and Alison Hoareau.
Anyone who would like to assist or donate towards the cause may do so by emailing the organisation at iseeseychelles@gmail.com
Sponsors have the option of choosing between the causes which they wish to donate to.
Since last week, a number of local celebrities have been showing their support towards the cause with short videos shared on WhatsApp. ISEE would like to thank all celebrities who have played their part.
What is ISEE’s objectives?
The central goal and objective of ISEE is to empower and elevate individuals so that they can rise above their limits and create a better version of themselves thus transforming their communities in the process. This non-governmental organisation (NGO) is about spreading positivity in all forms and using different mediums as well as various platforms to do so.
Combining core moral values, physical and social activities, ISEE strives on uplifting individuals and minority groups that are underprivileged and disadvantaged so that they can enrich their lives by developing new skills, acquiring knowledge that can empower them to become better individuals. Inspire people to bring forth positivity in all aspects of their lives and therefore creating a positive environment for growth and success. This newly formed NGO is very keen on working with different organisations and bodies to fulfill these goals.
About Bertrand De Charmoy Lablache
ISEE is proud to partner with Bertrand De Charmoy Lablache for its first fund-raising activity ‒ the Mahé-Praslin windsurfing and kitesurfing race organised by the Seychelles Yachting Association (SYA) chaired by Alain Alcindor.
Elected the representative for windsurfing and kitesurfing on the SYA executive committee, Lablache grew up on the island of Praslin with a particular interest for windsurfing and he is to date the youngest windsurfer to ever compete in the Mahé-Praslin crossing at only 13 years old.
In his younger years, Lablache had other sports interest such as athletics, volleyball, swimming and football, however he was always was more passionate about windsurfing.
In 2017, he turned professional after attending a base camp in Spain. During the camp, he was ranked number one for his fitness test out of the 60 athletes present, all of whom had already been racing professionally. This achievement made him the only Seychellois to date to have achieved such a feat.
During his windsurfing career, Lablache has achieved some notable results such as:
● Gold medallist at the Indian Ocean Island Games 2011 in Seychelles
● Silver medallist at the Formula Windsurfing European Festival 2011 in Portugal
● Silver medallist at the Asian and African Continental Slalom and Windsurfing Pro IFCA (International Funboard Class Association) Grand Prix Series Championships 2017 (Mauritius). The Asian and African Continental Slalom and Windsurfing Pro IFCA Grand Prix Series Championships 2017 which was attended by very high calibre athletes like Max Gaubert (Australian slalom champion 2017, and U21 World champion in 2007) and Julien Bontemps (2008 Olympic silver medallist and World champion 2012).
● Bronze medallist at the Mauritius Attitude Challenge 2018. He finished third jointly with Kevin Greenslade (UKWA's windsurfer of the year 2015) of Great Britain. Frenchman Kevin Grosjean (bronze medallist at the Defi Wind 2018 biggest windsurfing event in the world contested by 1200 participants) won the gold medal ahead of Mauritian Fabrice Leclezio who settled for the silver.
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Lablache in action
