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| day [04] - race
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| Wednesday September 24, 2003
The unpredictable weather here in Sylt continues at the Labello, PWA, Grand Slam with 8-10 knot winds picking up late in the day allowing two races. Continuing in his winning ways after yesterdays wave victory, Kevin Pritchard of America (Gaastra, Starboard) picked up a bullet in the first race win with British sailor Ross Williams (Gaastra, Starboard) sailing brilliantly to take the second. Peter Bijl (Neil Pryde, Fanatic) of Holland also had an excellent day on the race course picking up runner up finishes in both races. After today’s results, Antoine Albeau (AHD, Neil Pryde) of France still remains in the lead after six races (with two discards) although Ross Williams has closed the gap in second with Wojtek Brzozowski (Starboard, Neil Pryde) moving up from seventh into the remaining podium position.
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|  | | | Antoine on the beach | |
In race number one today Kevin Pritchard (Gaastra, Starboard) stormed off the line with blistering speed and made the windward mark in first ahead of Dutch sailor Pieter Bijl (Neil Pryde, Fanatic). Pritchard maintained his lead round the course and finished well ahead of Bijl in second, Micah Buzianis (Mistral, North) third and Jimmy Diaz (Neil Pryde) in fourth. Current overall race leader Antoine Albeau (AHD, Neil Pryde) struggled in the lighter wind conditions but managed to pick up seventh place behind Wojtek Brzozowski 5th and Ross Williams 6th.
In race two British all rounder Ross Williams pulled off his first bullet of the competition after chasing down Peter Bijl who was first to the upwind mark. Micah Buzianis maintained his consistent race performances here in Germany taking third with Gonzalo Costa Hoevel (Starboard, Neil Pryde) of Argentina taking fourth. Albeau once again struggled in the 8-10 knot northwesterly breeze and finished back in twelfth.
ROSS WILLIAMS
I had a full flyer on the start line, cut my way through the fleet and came out clear. I was well placed around the windward mark; I think I was in second place. I went past Peter on the downwind and just lead the race from there. I was a bit worried when I went around the top windward mark because I looked behind me and everybody was going much deeper than me. I managed to pump my way down and got into another gust. I had to work for it but was rewarded in the end. I am very pleased with my results so far, it is about time I had some good luck this year. The pressure is now on…I am in second and closing the gap on Antoine...It’s on!
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|  | | | Ross - Victory | |
PETER BIJL
Today was better than the first day of racing from my point of view. My Fanatic board is a little bit harder to sail in the stronger winds but definitely gives you more speed in the lighter winds. I am stoked today after taking two seconds even though I had a plastic bag round my fin in the last race. I am stoked!
With six races already completed here in Sylt there is still a long way to go. Albeau is leading overall for the event victory but Wojtek Brzozowski is closing the gap on Buzianis for the 2003 PWA overall race title.
The men’s wave competition here in Sylt is on hold although Kevin Pritchard (Gaastra, Starboard) stands in pole position after his defeat of fellow American Josh Angulo in yesterdays single elimination wave final. Pritchard earned his victory after a sensational day of extreme wave action in what can only be described as survival conditions. This year’s number one ranked sailor; Vidar Jensen (North) of Norway picked up third place ahead of Victor Fernandez (Fanatic) of Spain, which keeps him on track to take the men’s overall wave title if there is no further competition. Jonas Ceballos (Fanatic, Gaastra), Bjorn Dunkerbeck (Neil Pryde) and Josh Angulo are all still in contention and if wind and waves return it looks like we could be in for an explosive finish to the 2003 PWA wave season.
In the women’s rankings last years champion Daida Moreno (Mistral, North) is currently looking favorite after her victory yesterday over Karin Jaggi (F2, Arrows) of Switzerland. Jaggi could fight back and take equal first overall for the season but she will have a tough job on her hands and have to beat Moreno twice in the finals of the double elimination.
The long-term forecast is now calling for strengthening southwesterly winds at the weekend and a high chance that we could see the wave double elimination ladders completed over the weekend. Next, Friday and Saturday are traditionally the wild party and nights here in Sylt and no doubt the infamous Hanger, American Bar and Irish pub will all be full to the brim with sailors and crowds rocking the night away.
Stay tuned to the PWA web site for the latest news updated daily as the 2003 PWA race and wave tours draw to their conclusion.
MEN’S RACE RESULTS AFTER SIX RACES (TWO DISCARDS)
1. Antoine Albeau (AHD, Neil Pryde)
2. Ross Williams (Gaastra, Starboard)
3. Wojtek Brzozowski (Neil Pryde, Starboard)
4. Micah Buzianis (Mistral, North)
5. Kevin Pritchard (Gaastra, Starboard)
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Autor: pwa, Pix: Carter | |
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