Catalunya PWA World Cup

Day 2: Vrieswijk Extends Overnight Lead After Another Blistering Display

Day 2 of the 2018 Catalunya PWA World Cup started in typical Costa Brava fashion with glorious sunny skies and barely a breath of wind before the thermal wind began to kick in as the morning progressed. 

While the wind may have remained fairly light throughout the day - 5-12 knots - a further two foil eliminations were completed, which once again highlights the advantage that foiling offers in the lighter airs as conditions would’ve remained extremely marginal for slalom throughout the day and we would have been lucky to squeeze through a few heats.

Foil

Amado Vrieswijk (JP / Severne) extended his overnight lead from 1 point to 3.6 points after continuing his red-hot form, which saw the Bonairean win the first race of the day to make it two wins from the first 3 races completed. In the 4th race Vrieswijk performed well again - 3rd - but instantly discards that result meaning the 22-year-old currently holds counting results of 1st, 1st & a 2nd. Vrieswijk has shown an unbelievable level of consistency so far and deservedly holds the lead at the end of day two.

Sebastian Kördel (Starboard / GA Sails) is now Vrieswijk’s closest rival after the German recorded further 2nd and 3rd place finishes today as he attempts to earn his second podium in three foil events this season. Kördel has been looking quick and using his formula background to his advantage.

Nicolas Goyard (Tabou / GA Sails) took full advantage of the discard coming into play after finishing 24th in the third race as the Frenchman eventually came out on top of a fantastic battle between himself and Kördel as the lead changed hands several times. Victory for Goyard sees him rise one place to 3rd from the overnight rankings. 

After a terrific start yesterday, Julien Bontemps (JP / NeilPryde) seemed a little of the pace today as he had to settle for 9th and 14th place finishes, which results in the Frenchman falling two places to 4th, while current foil world tour leader - Gonzalo Costa Hoevel (Starboard / Severne / Choppers Fins) - remains well off the pace. The Argentinian falls from 7th to 12th at the close of play after missing out on the final of Elimination 3 before only finishing 13th in Elimination 4.

Antoine Albeau (RRD / NeilPryde) remains in 5th place. AA challenged Vrieswijk for the victory in the third race, but then finished 9th in the next to halt his progress up the leaderboard. 

Mover of the Day

Fellow Frenchman - Antoine Questel (Starboard / S2Maui) - is the day’s biggest mover after being able to discard his 26.5 point finish from Elimination 2 with 4th and 5th places today as the champion of last year’s foil exhibition showed glimpses of a return to form after disappointing results in Japan and South Korea. Questel jumps in 6th place. 

The top 10 is currently completed by Matteo Iachino (Starboard / Severne / Shamal Sunglasses) - 7th - while Steve Allen (Patrik / Severne) breaks into the top 10 - 8th - followed by Maciek Rutkowski (I-99 / Challenger Sails) - 9th - and Arnon Dagan (RRD / NeilPryde) - 10th.

The semifinals of Elimination 5 have both been completed, but inclement weather brought proceedings to an end before a result for the final could be gained. After a short wait the sailors were released at 5pm.

The forecast for tomorrow predicts moderate to fresh northerly winds during the morning, while if the forecast is to be believed the afternoon could be a whitewash with the wind expected to turn to the southeast as the unsettled weather looks set to continue. With this in mind the skippers’ meeting has been called for 9am with the action commencing from 9:30am (GMT+2) onwards. 

You can 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 2018 Catalunya PWA World Cup - Men’s Foil
*After Four Eliminations

1st Amado Vrieswijk (NB - JP / Severne)
2nd Sebastian Kördel (GER - Starboard / GA Sails)
3rd Nicolas Goyard (FRA - Tabou / GA Sails))
4th Julien Bontemps (FRA - JP / NeilPryde)
5th Antoine Albeau (FRA - RRD / NeilPryde)
6th Antoine Questel (Starboard / S2Maui)
7th Matteo Iachino (ITA - Starboard / Severne / Shamal Sunglasses)
8th Steve Allen (AUS - Patrik / Severne)
9th Maciek Rutkowski (POL - I-99 / Challenger Sails)
10th Arnon Dagan (ISR - RRD / NeilPryde)

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