Pegasus Airlines World Cup
Twenty to twenty five knot thermal winds here in Alaçati gave the race director the perfect chance to put the worlds best to the test. Three exciting races gave the results an interesting twist as the first discard came into play. In the men’s racing Antoine Albeau (JP/NeilPryde) has moved into pole position while yesterday’s winner Ross Williams (Tabou/Gaastra) had a disastrous day and dropped back to 13th overall. Former world champions Bjorn Dunkerbeck (Starboard/ Severne) and Micah Buzianis (JP/NeilPryde) have moved up into second and third respectively.
Women
Taking maximum advantage of the discards was Valerie Ghibaudo (Tabou/The Loft) who after a devastating start on day one regained control with three straight bullets. Coming into the event, only a major catastrophe could deny Valerie her first PWA World Title and she will certainly be sleeping easier tonight.
Valerie Ghibaudo, “Yesterday was a bad day for me, but today is my day here. I need to do well here to be World Champion and, if I can win, it is even better. I liked the conditions today and my gear was working well. I hope the wind stays the same all week, but it’s not over for sure.”
Karin Jaggi (F2/Severne) moved into second place but her body language and attitude demonstrated that hope was disappearing quickly for her chance to win back her PWA World Title.
Karin Jaggi. “I think it’s too late for the title. She has been going really well all year and has been super focused. My only chance now is for her to go over early in every round!”
Sarah Hebert (Starboard/Naish Sails) remained consistent and together with yesterdays top performance she holds onto the final podium position. However the standout performance was Sara-Quita Offringa (Starboard/NeilPryde). The freestyle World Champ showed all round skills to mix it with the best on the racecourse. Some costly errors throughout the day held her back, but a second place in race three proves she has what it takes to make the podium.
Local lady, Çagla “Miss Turkey” Kubat (Starboard/North Sails), had a impressive day too, making all three finals and moving into fifth overall, just one point behind the flying French girl Alice Arutkin (Starboard/ North Sails)
Men’s
It was a mixed bag of results in the men’s, but once again Antoine Albeau (JP/NeilPryde) moved into a dominant position with a consistent run including a first place in race three. At times he showed tremendous skills working his way back from inconceivable bad positions, seemingly enjoying the extra challenge.
Antoine “For me it was a perfect day. I had a 1st and two 2nds and with my 3rd yesterday I am pretty consistent. For sure I am very happy for the beginning of the event.”
Bjorn Dunkerbeck (Starboard/Severne) had moments of brilliance today, but could not quite match the consistency of the World Champion. Nevertheless, by winning race three he showed that the terminator lives on and “he’ll be back”.
Dunkerbeck “I was on my 7.0 pretty powered. I had a good start and managed to round the buoy in first position. After that I made sure Antoine could not pass me. He tried to go above and below, but I had him under control the whole race.”
Moving into 3rd place was Micah Buzianis (JP/NeilPryde). A win in the final race of the day saw him sneak ahead of Josh Angulo (Angulo/MauiSails/Dakine) by just 0.3 of a point. Angulo has been racing fantastically so far and joins a queue of sailors desperate for a podium finish.
Finian Maynard (RRD/NeilPryde) also waits in line. Consistency sees him very much in the game. He also has been nominated for the “sailors of the day award” after victoriously winning a quarterfinal heat sailing the final three reaches with no harness. A truly impressive feat when you consider how powered up these guys race.
Kevin Pritchard (Starboard/Gaastra/Dakine) had a better day today, qualifying for every final and unlucky to miss out on a win in Race two. Meanwhile Gaastra team mate Ross Williams (Tabou/Gaastra) probably had the worst day of anyone. Arriving at the beach this morning in first place, poor Ross walks home in 13th position. A string of disastrous races saw him miss out on an opportunity to challenge for the top.
The Dutch boys were battling it out day. Benny Van Der Steen (Exocet/Simmer Style) and Peter Volwater (F2/MauiSails) seemed to be attacking each other at every opportunity. Best friends off the water, but on the water it is a different story. Twice Van Dar Steen forced Volwater out of the course area, cruelly snatching the final qualifying position meters from the line.
Top of the Turks was Bora Kozanoglu (Starboard/NeilPryde). Fresh from his win at the recent Turkish Championships he is clearly flying, but jumping the gun three times has pushed him well down the rankings. However a win in the race three losers final certainly gave the crowd something to cheer about and let the world know that it is not over yet.
The forecast for tomorrow is for more of the same so join us for more Alaçati action. Tune in to the live ticker, check out the top photos from John Carter and follow the elimination ladder at www.pwaworldtour.com.
Mens Results after 4 Races.
1 Antoine Albeau NeilPryde, JP
2 Björn Dunkerbeck Starboard, Severne Sails
3 Micah Buzianis NeilPryde, JP
4 Josh Angulo Dakine, Angulo, MauiSails
5 Finian Maynard RRD, NeilPryde
6 Kevin Pritchard Starboard, Gaastra,Dakine
7 Ben Van Der Steen Simmer Style, Exocet
8 Cyril Moussilmani Starboard, North Sails
9 Peter Volwater F2, MauiSails
10 Gonzalo Costa Hoevel Exocet, MauiSails
Womens Results after 4 Races.
1 Valérie Ghibaudo Loft Sails, Tabou Boards
2 Karin Jaggi F2, Severne Sails
3 Sarah Hebert Starboard, Naish Sails
4 Alice Arutkin Starboard, North Sails
5 Cagla Kubat Starboard, North Sails