Hvide Sande PWA World Cup
The first day of the Hvide Sande PWA World Cup saw a slightly tricky, but ultimately successful start to the event as the opening elimination for both the men’s and women’s fleets were completed in marginal winds — 8-15 knots. Over the course of the afternoon there were several upsets along the way, however, there were no mistakes from either Pierre Mortefon (Fanatic / NorthSails) or Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins) and they deservedly head the rankings at the close of play.
Women’s
Sarah-Quita Offringa takes control of not only the event but also the world rankings after destroying the field in the final. The reigning world champion led from start to finish and had built an unassailable lead by the third buoy. If the 25 year old continues that sort of form it is hard to see anyone denying her a third slalom world title.
Delphine Cousin Questel (Starboard / Gun Sails) rises to 2nd in the overall rankings after a third place finish in the winners’ final today. However, after looking in excellent form during the qualifying rounds things didn’t quite go to plan for — Lena Erdil (Starboard / Point-7 / AL360), who led the title race at the start of the day, and the Turk will be disappointed with her 7th place and will now be crossing her fingers that she is able to discard this result over the course of the week — keeping her title aspirations alive.
Maja Dziarnowska (RRD / RRD) made an eye catching debut on the PWA Slalom World Tour as the Pole secured a superb 2nd place and the 26 year old will be one to watch for the remainder of the event.
Men’s
Winners’ Final
Pierre Mortefon came into the event leading the world rankings and the Frenchman produced a faultless display to make the perfect start to the week by claiming a clear victory in the opening winners’ final of the week. After the first mark there was still all to play for, but with Matteo Iachino (Starboard / Point-7), Sebastian Kördel (Starboard / GA Sails) and Arnon Dagan (RRD / NeilPryde) locked in an intense battle this allowed Mortefon to sneak away from the chasing pack. Iachino, who is Mortefon’s closest contender as things stand, secured 2nd place followed by Kördel and Josh Angulo (Angulo), who cut his way back through the field, Julien Quentel (Patrik / Avanti) and Arnon Dagan, who eventually had to settle for 6th place.
Sebastian Kördel will be absolutely delighted with the start to his weeks work as the German earned his best result in an elimination by clinching a deserved 3rd place in the final. Kordel had look threatening all day and will now try to build upon a career best.
However, while several of the top seeds fared well it was a day to forget for Ross Williams (Tabou / GA Sails / Mystic / Shamal Sunglasses), Antoine Albeau (RRD / NeilPryde), Taty Frans (Starboard / GA Sails / Mystic), Tristan Algret (Starboard / Severne / Mystic) and Ben Van der Steen (Tabou / GA Sails), who all took quarterfinal exits.
Elsewhere, Ingmar Daldorf (Patrik / Loft Sails), qualified for the semifinals — finishing 14th in the opening race, while Bruno Martini (Starboard / Point-7 / AL360) had looked dangerous in the run up to the semifinals before he and Brazil’s Mateus Isaac (JP / NeilPryde) were both disqualified from Heat 14 for premature starts.
The forecast for tomorrow doesn’t look particularly promising, but by Tuesday it looks as though the wind will return with 15-20 knots from the southwest being predicted. The skippers’ meeting for tomorrow has been called for 10:30am with a first possible start of 11am (GMT+2). Make sure you tune into www.pwaworldtour.com to stay up to date with all of the latest news.
To see all the latest from the event — including the live stream, elimination ladders, entry list, images and live ticker simply click HERE and scroll to the bottom of the page.
Current Rankings Hvide Sande PWA World Cup — Women’s Slalom
1st Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins)
2nd Maja Dziarnowska (RRD / RRD)
3rd Delphine Cousin Questel (Starboard / Gun Sails)
4th Fujiko Onishi (Starboard / Point-7)
5th Maëlle Guilbaud (Patrik / Loft Sails)
Current Rankings Hvide Sande PWA World Cup — Men’s Slalom
1st Pierre Mortefon (Fanatic / NorthSails)
2nd Matteo Iachino (Starboard / Point-7)
3rd Sebastian Kördel (Starboard / GA Sails)
4th Josh Angulo (Angulo)
5th Julien Quentel (Patrik / Avanti)
6th Arnon Dagan (RRD / NeilPryde)
7th Cyril Moussilmani (Starboard / Severne)
8th Andrea Cucchi (Starboard / Point-7)
9th Gonzalo Costa Hoevel (Starboard / Point-7)
10th Mateus Isaac (JP / NeilPryde)