Catalunya PWA World Cup

Event Preview: Racing returns to Europe as men’s slalom & foil fleets head for Costa Brava

After the Asian leg of the 2017 PWA Slalom World Tour, the men’s slalom and foil fleets return to Europe for their third event of the year as they prepare to return to Costa Brava, Spain, for the Catalunya PWA World Cup, which takes place between the 23rd-28th May. 

So far, the wind God’s haven't really been on our side, so only the one elimination has been completed so far this year, but hopefully, the next 6 days in Costa Brava prove to be more fruitful.

The picturesque town of Sant Pere Pescador is located 150km to the north-east of Barcelona and is blessed with twelve kilometres of jaw-dropping white sand beaches and the beautiful blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The Gulf-de-Roses have become a world renowned destination due to its clockwork-like sea breezes, which frequently grace Costa Brava with their presence during the summer months. However, whilst offering an astonishing backdrop, the Pyrenees Mountain’s can also transform Costa Brava into a white-knuckled assault course - when the ferocious Tramontana wind whistles down the mountain range in excess of thirty knots - ready to test the mettle of any world class sailor.

Ones to Watch

In the event preview for South Korea we mentioned that Julien Quentel (Patrik / Avanti) could have a genuine shot at the title if he is able to convert a few of his top 5 finishes into podiums and victories - and in Japan that’s exactly what he managed to do as he claimed his first victory on the world tour since 2014 to take the early season lead. The 30-year-old is consciously trying to sail more aggressively and has done well here in the past - finishing 2nd in 2013 - and he’ll be feeling confident heading into the third event of the year, so you can expect to see another big performance from him.

Another man to make an impressive start to the year has been Jordy Vonk (Fanatic / NorthSails), who earned his first ever podium on the world tour in Japan. The Flying Dutchman has looked blisteringly quick so far and his starts seem on point. The 23-year-old clearly has his mind set on reaching the very top of the game and if he is able to continue the early season form he has shown so far then you can expect to see him challenging for the podium again.

Antoine Albeau (RRD / NeilPryde) made a solid start to the year by completing the podium and as a result, he comes into Costa Brava in 3rd place in the overalls. Albeau is reportedly happier with his equipment this year and has his usual air of confidence surrounding him.

Finian Maynard (99NoveNove / Gun Sails) comes into the third event of the year off the back of his best result since 2012 having claimed 4th in Japan. Maynard shred 10 kilos over the winter and that could prove crucial in enhancing his chances in Costa Brava as the winds have been on the light side over the last few years.

Perhaps the surprise result from Japan was the performance of Andrea Rosati (RRD / LoftSails), who stayed out of trouble to navigate his way into the top 5, which was a turn up for the books having only recorded one top 16 result in the last two years. 

Reigning world champion - Matteo Iachino (Starboard / Point-7 / Shamal Windsurfing Sunglasses) - had to settle for 6th place to open his title defence campaign, but with just the one elimination completed so far in 2017 - it’s safe to say that you’d expect him to steadily rise to the top of the pack with the more races that are completed. The 27-year-old has qualified comfortably for both winners’ finals thus far and he’ll be in the thick of the action again over the next 6 days, while also trying to reclaim his event title from 2015.

The same can be said of Pierre Mortefon (Fanatic / NorthSails / Chopper Fins) - one of Iachino’s biggest rivals - who placed 7th in Japan. The Frenchman has been involved at the business end of the season for the last three years running and he’ll be there or there abouts again. Mortefon also comes into the event as the defending event champion having won here last year. 

The top 10 at this stage of the season is completed by Argentine Gonzalo Costa Hoevel (Starboard / Severne / Chopper Fins), who made the best start to the winners’ final in Japan before seaweed ended his hopes, Briton Ross Williams (Tabou / GA Sails / Mystic / Shamal Windsurfing Sunglasses), who ensured his place in the top 10 by winning the losers’ final after a premature start in the semifinals, and German Sebastian Kördel (Starboard / GA Sails), who has made an excellent start to the season - qualifying for the winners’ final in South Korea - before consolidating his place in the top 10.

The likes of Marco Lang (Fanatic / NorthSails), Taty Frans (Starboard / GA Sails / Mystic) and Maciek Rutkowski (Tabou / GA Sails) will also be desperate to put Japan behind them, after all three of them had qualified for the winners’ final in South Korea - which couldn’t be completed - but were then eliminated in the quarterfinals or earlier in Japan. 

Also, keep an eye out for reigning Youth World Champion - Ethan Westera (Tabou / GA Sails) - who recorded his first ever top 16 result in Japan and fellow youth Jacquin Basile (Starboard / Point-7), who finished 17th and also looks an exciting prospect for the future. 

Elsewhere expect to the experienced figures of Arnon Dagan (RRD / NeilPryde), Ben Van der Steen (Patrik / Gun Sails), Andrea Cucchi (Starboard / Point-7), Cedric Bordes (Tabou / GA Sails) and Pascal Toselli (99NoveNove / LoftSails / Chopper Fins) trying to make their impression on the top 10 after suffering disappointment in Japan. 

With just the one elimination completed this year, the men’s slalom fleet will be desperate for more wind and more racing over the next 6 days, which would give more of an idea of who is going to emerge as the genuine challengers for the rest of the season. 

Foiling

Over the next 6 days, we’ll also be bringing you more foiling, which looks set to feature heavily on the racing circuit in the coming years. At the moment foiling is still in it’s youth, but even over the last year there has been rapid progress and in Costa Brava, there should be more thrilling racing for windsurfing’s newest discipline. We’ll be releasing an interview with Antoine Albeau and Gonzalo Costa Hoevel during the event to shred more light on foiling and what to expect from it. 

In Japan, Antoine Questel (Starboard / S2Maui) walked away with top honours in the foiling after showing an unbelievable level of consistency with counting results of 2 victories and three, 2nd’s to keep Sebastian Kornum (JP / NeilPryde), Antoine Albeau and Gonzalo Costa Hoevel at bay, but will he be able to do it again? Tune into www.pwaworldtour.com between the 23rd-28th May to find out. 

To stay up to date with all the latest developments from Costa Brava — including elimination ladders, entry list, images and live ticker simply click HERE and scroll to the bottom of the page.

Current Ranking 2017 PWA World Tour - Men’s Slalom

1st Julien Quentel (Patrik / Avanti)

2nd Jordy Vonk (Fanatic / NorthSails)

3rd Antoine Albeau (RRD / NeilPryde)

4th Finian Maynard (99NoveNove / Gun Sails)

5th Andrea Rosati (RRD / LoftSails)

6th Matteo Iachino (Starboard / Point-7 / Shamal Windsurfing Sunglasses)

7th Pierre Mortefon (Fanatic / NorthSails / Chopper Fins)

8th Gonzalo Costa Hoevel ARG3 (Starboard / Severne / Chopper Fins)

9th Ross Williams (Tabou / GA Sails / Mystic / Shamal Windsurfing Glasses)

10th Sebastian Kördel (Starboard / GA Sails)

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