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| day [06] - race
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| Friday September 26, 2003
French all rounder Antoine Albeau (AHD, Neil Pryde) has consolidated his lead today after posting four strong results during a sensational day of race action here at the Labello, Sylt, PWA, Grand Slam. Antoine’s runaway lead, however, could not overshadow the big story of the event, the seesaw battle for the 2003 overall race title between Wojtek Brzozowski (Neil Pryde, Starboard) and Micah Buzianis (Mistral, North). Although the 12-14 knot winds were proclaimed by Wojtek to be his ideal conditions, he has been unable as of yet to break Micah’s current hold on the title race. Ross Williams (Gaastra, Starboard) of Britain also continued his run of excellent form and maintained his position in second following a string of strong performances in today’s races. The top four positions here in Sylt, have remained unchanged after an intense day on the race course although Kevin Pritchard (Gaastra, Starboard) dropped out of the top five into seventh with Gonzalo Costa Hoevel (Neil Pryde, Starboard) of Argentina moving up into his slot.
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| Steve Allen (Neil Pryde, Fanatic) of Australia opened up the first race with a blistering start and hit the upwind mark with a clear lead over Polish racer Wojtek Brzozowski (Neil Pryde, Starboard) followed by British all rounder Ross Williams (Gaastra, Starboard). On the second lap Allen, missed the windward buoy and was forced to double tack with his tactical error dropping him back five places to sixth. Allen left the door wide open for Brzozowski to take the first bullet of the day with Ross Williams hot on his heels in second, Antoine Albeau (AHD, Neil Pryde) third and Micah Buzianis (Mistral, North) fourth.
Races two and three were won by Steve Allen (Fanatic, Neil Pryde) and Antoine Albeau (AHD, Neil Pryde) with the battle between Micah Buzianis and Wojtek Brzozowski heating up with Wojtek making up a single place on the American racer in both races. Ross Williams (Gaastra, Starboard) continued his run of superb form with a third in race two but dropped back to sixth in race three after colliding with Albeau at the upwind mark.
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|  | | | Kevin racing | |
In the final race of the day Gonzalo Costa Hoevel (Starboard, Neil Pryde) posted his first race win of the regatta here in Sylt after leading at the upwind mark and defending his position through to the finish, despite yet another strong challenge from Antoine Albeau (2nd). Micah Buzianis (Mistral, North) sailed a strong race to take third place; four valuable slots ahead of Brzozowski who lost two places on the final downwind back to the finish line and finished in seventh.
After today’s racing, Antoine Albeau of France is in a dominating position and holds pole position with a clear lead ahead of Ross Williams in second, Wojtek Brzozowski, third and Micah Buzianis fourth. The points difference between Brzozowski and Buzianis for the overall title has narrowed although in order to move into the 2003 PWA race champion slot Wojtek needs to finish ahead of Buzianis with at least one position in between.
With two days remaining here in Sylt both the event victories and PWA 2003 overall titles in racing and waves are yet to be decided. In the chase for the overall titles, Josh Angulo and Bjorn Dunkerbeck (Neil Pryde), Daida Moreno (Mistral, North) and Karin Jaggi (F2, Arrows), and Wojtek Brzozowski (Neil Pryde, Starboard) and Micah Buzianis (Mistral, North) are all locked in battle and it looks like the Sylt 2003, PWA Grand Slam is set to finish with an explosive finish over the weekend.
Stay tuned to the PWA web site for details of all latest news, the thrills, the height, the speed and results as the 2003 world race and wave tours draw to an exciting climax over the next two days!
ANTOINE ALBEAU
I had a good day. I was on my big sail all day and the wind wasn’t too strong. The wind was constant and the direction was good. I had good sailing today in all the races and I did not make any big mistakes so I am pretty happy with the day.
MICAH BUZIANIS
I had a pretty average day. In the second and third races I was one place behind Wojtek, he got me by a couple of spots in the first race and I got him by a couple of spots in the last race. I am kind of enjoying it but my equipment doesn’t feel very good right now. I am not sure what is going on but at least I am staying consistent. Nothing bad so far but we will see!
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|  | | | Wojtek pensive | |
WOJTEK BRZOZOWSKI
I am not really happy. The first race was good, I had a perfect start and won the race. But the last three races for me were really bad. I had bad starts all three times and usually I have good starts. I had to play catch up, I am climbing up the ladder but it was really hard work. I am not satisfied!
MEN'S RACE RESULTS AFTER TEN RACES (THREE DISCARDS)
1. Antoine Albeau (AHD, Neil Pryde)
2. Ross Williams (Gaastra, Starboard)
3. Wojtek Brzozowski (Neil Pryde, Starboard)
4. Micah Buzianis (Mistral, North)
5. Gonzalo Costa Hoevel (Neil Pryde, Starboard)
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Autor: pwa, Pix: Carter | |
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