Pegasus Airlines World Cup
Albeau and Ghibaudo extend their leads as two more races are completed on the azure waters of Alaçati.
Albeau (JP/NeilPryde) continues to dominate the 2009 Pegasus PWA world Cup despite jumping the gun in race six. Dunkerbeck (Starboard/Severne) holds firm in second with consistent sailing throughout, whilst Maynard (RRD/NeilPryde) storms into the remaining podium position after a strong day on the water.
Women’s
Valerie Ghibaudo (Tabou/The Loft) looks ever more likely to take the PWA slalom crown as she finishes day three counting a clinical score of straight wins. Two more bullets were added to her tally after she delivered another dominating performance.
Valerie Ghibaudo: “I am very easy with my gear and I like these conditions. It’s not finished yet, but for the moment it is OK for me.”
Karin Jaggi (F2/Severne) once again delivered a determined display of sailing, particularly in the second final. After a terrible start Karin fought her way back, finishing second after a tantalizing battle with Marta Hlavaty (Starboard/MauiSails).
Karin Jaggi: “I pressed my start watch two seconds late. I knew it at the time, but when it came to the start I forgot. It was super windy so everyone was really over powered and I just held on.”
Sarah Hebert (Starboard/Naish Sails) holds onto third place with a mixed bag of results. However a solid second place in race five proved she deserves to be on the podium, for both the event and the overall.
Sarah Herbert: “I have learned to tune my equipment really well and my speed is solid. Now I just need to be a bit more consistent.”
Lena Erdil (Starboard/The Loft) also raced fantastically today, showing moments of magic but failing to capitalize on a number of advantages. Sara-Quita Offringa (Starboard/NeilPryde) proved her worth with a second position in race five, but finished down the pan in the final race. Still, her performance was enough to move her up into fourth place overall.
Men’s.
Albeau’s error in race six demonstrated to the rest of the fleet that he is fallible, but fortunately for the World Champ it was an easy discard. Together with his win in race five, his lead grew further and the results are looking very positive.
Antoine Albeau:“I was too fast at the start, pushing it a bit too much. But I am still really happy.”
Bjorn Dunkerbeck’s steady work gave him the lowest point score and he wins the much-coveted “sailor of the day” award. Despite not winning either final he raced superbly, coming back despite suffering setbacks.
Equaling Dunkerbeck’s low points score was Finian Maynard. The speed World Champ was on top form, fighting Albeau until the finish in race five, moving onto third position in the process.
Finian Maynard. “Not a bad day, I am happy to be consistent. Against Antoine it was close, I had decent gybes, I tried to hold him off but credit where credits due.”
Micah Buzianis (JP/NeilPryde) was unlucky not to be higher up the ranking tonight. A collision with Peter Volwater (F2/MauiSails) meant he missed the all-important qualifying slot for the final. The two racers almost came to blows on the beach, but the towering American refocused his energy and convincingly won the last final of the day. He now sits in fourth place, just 1.4 points off the podium.
Micah Buzianis. “I feel comfortable in these conditions. As long as I don’t screw up, or get taken out, and can make it to the final, I feel like I can win.”
Peter Volwater. “I was scared for my life! He was quite mad and he is quite big and quite strong, and it was me that crashed into him! I said sorry, but I should have known to stay clear for a while. I probably should have sailed up to Izmir and stayed there for an hour!”
After a fantastic start Ross Williams (Tabou/Gaastra) had another disappointing day for his usual high standard.
Ross Williams “I have a new sail for this event and I think I had it tuned slightly wrong. I spent the afternoon getting it better, we will see tomorrow. Never give up.”
Cyril Moussilmani (Starboard/North Sails) however seemed to find form today. After a mediocre beginning to the event, a third and fifth place saw him spring up the ranking into sixth.
With the wind forecast to build for tomorrow join us again for more slalom excitement. Follow the live ticker, the elimination ladder and check out the fantastic photo gallery, all available at www.pwaworldtour.com.
Men's Results after 6 Races.
1 Antoine Albeau NeilPryde, JP
2 Björn Dunkerbeck Starboard, Severne Sails
3 Finian Maynard RRD, NeilPryde
4 Micah Buzianis NeilPryde, JP
5 Josh Angulo Dakine, Angulo, MauiSails
6 Cyril Moussilmani Starboard, North Sails
7 Kevin Pritchard Starboard, Gaastra,Dakine
8 Steve Allen
9 Peter Volwater F2, MauiSails
10 Ben Van Der Steen Simmer Style, Exocet
Women's Results after 6 Races.
1 Valérie Ghibaudo Loft Sails, Tabou Boards
2 Karin Jaggi F2, Severne Sails
3 Sarah Hebert Starboard, Naish Sails
4 Sarah-Quita Offringa Starboard, NeilPryde
5 Marta Hlavaty Starboard, MauiSails