Der PWA CATALUNYA WORLD CUP 2012, Tramontanslalom

[h=1]PWA CATALUNYA WORLD CUP[/h][h=2]EVENT PREVIEW : PREPARE FOR MORE WARP SPEED RACING AS THE MEN’S SLALOM RETURNS TO EUROPE[/h]
From the 12th to the 17th June, Costa Brava shall once again play host to the stars of the windsurfing world, as the third event of the men’s PWA Slalom World Tour takes place. The rankings remain unbelievably tight at the top after the close fought encounter of Korea, ensuring that the PWA Catalunya World Cup will be another mesmerizing event, packed with highs, lows and non-stop drama.

The picturesque town of Sant Pere Pescador is located 150km to the north east of Barcelona. It is encompassed by twelve enchanting kilometres of stunning white sand beaches, and the beautiful blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Combine this with the steady thermal winds, which grace the Gulf-de-Roses throughout the summer months and you have the perfect recipe for a slalom sailors paradise. Those idyllic thermal winds can soon be replaced by the roaring Tramontana wind, which ferociously whistles down the Pyrenees mountain range, with enough power to test the mettle of any of the world’s best sailors. Which ever conditions prevail, the battle to be crowned the King of Costa Brava is going to be an exciting and intense affair.

What’s The Deal?

Five days of adrenaline fuelled racing, as the elite of the slalom world once again fight it out for a share of the €40,000 prize purse and those crucial world ranking points.

One’s To Watch.

After the event in Korea, Antoine Albeau (RRD / NeilPryde) currently leads the world championship by the narrowest of margins. Despite not winning a single elimination in Korea, Albeau proved that if you are consistent in every elimination, then you can still come out on top. Expect to see the big Frenchman challenging for top honours again as he looks to cement his number one spot.

The emerging star from Korea was Antoine Questel (Starboard / Loft Sails). Not only did he claim his first ever elimination victory but he also had his first event win in his sights. If it hadn’t of been for a massive mistake, sailing to the wrong buoy, then he’d almost definitely find himself at the top of the rankings. The Frenchman looked blisteringly fast in a straight line, super smooth in the turns and extremely composed under pressure, for the most part, during Korea, and a hugely impressive week was capped off by him taking second place. The rest of the sailors have now been alerted to his presence, so it will interesting to see if he can replicate the same form he showed at the last event. If he can then he’s a real contender for the title and a name to look out for in years to come.

Micah Buzianis (JP / MauiSails) claimed his first event victory in a long time. Buzianis, just like Albeau, didn’t win an elimination during Korea, however the American showed robot like consistency for the entire event, which was the foundation of his success. He also demonstrated time and time again that his starts are perfect and he possesses an almost undroppable gybe, meaning that once he’s at the front he’s very hard to pass. Confidence will be sky high, so we can be sure to see Buzianis challenging for the top spots in Costa Brava.

Bjorn Dunkerbeck (Starboard / Severne / Mystic / Dunkerbeck Eyewear / Chris Benz) endured a torrid time in Korea, which was topped off by a freak accident that ended his event prematurely. Thankfully for the terminator his fellow competitors failed to put the remaining nails in his coffin and he still finds himself in third place overall, and more importantly very much still in the title race as we head into the third event of the season. Dunkerbeck didn’t look his normal indestructible self in Korea, even before his injury, but we expect him to be back on song in Costa Brava, with his untouchable top speed and flawless gybes, as he looks to take control of the title race.

Ben Van Der Steen (Starboard / Loft / Mystic) showed glimpses of the form which saw him finish in third place last season, as he took fifth in Korea. The Dutchman is one of the quickest guys on the tour, so if he is able to put together a few solid eliminations back-to-back, then we could very easily see him gunning for the top in Spain.

With the rankings being so close after the first two events, there are a whole host of other sailors who are in contention for the top. Britain’s Ross Williams (Tabou / Gaastra) claimed his first podium finish for a couple of seasons, and he will be heading to Costa Brava full of confidence after his European Formula success. The Brit looks to be truly back on form and he’s definitely one to watch over the coming week. Julien Quentel (RRD / NeilPryde) has looked in fine form and we see no reason for that to change. Expect to see him burning and turning as well as anyone on the tour, as he looks to keep pace with the boys at the top. Josh Angulo (Angulo / Point-7) continues to look a threatening force, with perfect starts, outstanding speed and his trademark gybes all standing him in good stead. Angulo will be there or there abouts come the end of the week. Of course Jimmy Diaz (Starboard / North), Gonzalo Costa Hoevel (Fanatic / North) and Peter Volwater (Fanatic / Avanti) are all more than capable of competing for those hallowed podium places as well.

Das war Tag 1:

Zitat von PWA

PWA Catalunya Windsurf World CupDAY 1 : COSTA BRAVA DELIVERS THE GOODS
The inaugural day of the 2012 PWA Catalunya Windsurf World Cup saw a quiet start to proceedings as sailors registered for the upcoming week of competition, between 10am and 12pm. It wasn’t long before the tranquil calm was replaced by a frenzy of activity on the beach, as the glorious sunshine kicked the thermal wind into action. The first elimination started just after quarter past two, and nine heats were completed before stormy clouds and rain brought a halt to the racing.
Elimination One
In the first heat of the day Turkey’s Ege Kurt (RRD / MauiSails) jumped the gun, enforcing a general recall. When the heat was re-started it was Josh Angulo (Angulo / Point-7) who crossed the line in first place, this proved pivotal as he went onto to win the heat in convincing manner. Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Maui Ultra Fins / Mystic) flew down the penultimate leg and he threw an audacious duck gybe around the final mark to claim second place, followed by Pascal Toselli (RRD / Point-7), Nicolas Warembourg (JP / NeilPryde) claimed the all important fourth spot.
Bjorn Dunkerbeck (Starboard / Severne / Mystic / Dunkerbeck Eyewear / Chris Benz) was involved in the second heat of the day, and it was evident that he has fully recovered from his injury he picked up in Korea. The terminator safely navigated his way into the second round as he won his heat. Joining him are; Sylvain Moussilmani (Tabou / Simmer), Andrea Cucchi (Patrik / Point-7) and Maciek Rutkowski (Patrik / Loft Sails / Maui Ultra Fins).
Heats three and four witnessed the first upsets of the day. In heat three, Gonzalo Costa Hoevel (Fanatic / North) narrowly missed out on a place in the next round after finishing fifth, just behind Spain’s Pablo Ania (F2 / North). Also qualifying are Pierre Mortefon (Fanatic / North), who led from start to finish, Pieter Bijl (JP / NeilPryde) and Alberto Menegatti (Starboard / Gaastra). Meanwhile in heat four, Antoine Questel (Starboard / Loft Sails), who sailed superbly in Korea, went over the handlebars and despite his best efforts the Frenchmen couldn’t quite recover as his finished fifth. Britain’s James Dinsmore (Starboard / Severne) grabbed the final qualifying spot as Damien Le Guen (Exocet), Ludovic Jossin (Patrik / Loft Sails) and Micah Buzianis (JP / MauiSails) completed the top four.
Heat five saw Ross Williams (Tabou / Gaastra) aim right at the pin and storm into the lead, however his lead was short lived as he dropped his gybe at the first mark. Luckily the Brit was able to recover from his mistake as he fought his way back through the field to finish fourth. Bora Kozanoglu (Starboard / Severne) returned to winning ways in his opening heat, whilst the ever consistent Jimmy Diaz (Starboard / North) took second ahead of France’s Benoit Moussilmani (Tabou / Simmer).
In heat six, the first four to cross the start line all qualified for the second round. Steve Allen (Starboard / Severne) was first over the line, but the Australian was fourth going into the mark one. Cedric Bordes (Tabou / Gaastra / Mystic), Julien Quentel (RRD / NeilPryde) and Cyril Moussilmani (Starboard / Severne / Mystic) all managed to overtake him. By the end of the heat it was Bordes who came out on top, whilst Quentel took second. Cyril Moussilmani and Allen were involved in a tussle for the remaining two spots, with Allen eventually coming out on top on this occasion.
Norway’s Sondra Sturla Krey (Fanatic / North) was a little too eager with his start and he paid the ultimate sacrifice as he was disqualified from heat seven, which also consisted of a number of big hitters. Ben Van Der Steen (Starboard / Loft Sails / Mystic), Finian Maynard (RRD / Avanti) and Peter Volwater (Fanatic / Avanti) all managed to successfully escape from round one unscathed along with Dennis Muller (F2 / Challenger / AL360), in what was arguably one of toughest heats of the day.
The final heat of round one featured the current tour leader Antoine Albeau (RRD / NeilPryde), and he looked in scintillating form as he dominated his heat to build a commanding lead by the finish. Albeau’s greater board speed, especially in the turns, was the real difference between him and his rivals. Arnon Dagan (Tabou / Gaastra) looked comfortable in second place, as Sean O’Brien (Starboard / Point-7), who made the best start of the bunch finished third. Patrick Diethelm (Patrik / Loft Sails) battled his way into the crucial fourth place in front of Dennis Littel (Patrik / Loft Sails).
Bjorn Dunkerbeck continued his winning start to the competition in Costa Brava as he took top spot in heat nine. Dunkerbeck once again demonstrated his superb straight-line speed and effortless gybes to be the first man through to the quarter finals. Sylvain Moussilmani made a valiant effort to catch the terminator on the final straight but by this point Dunkerbeck had built a big enough lead not to worry. Josh Angulo continued to look dangerous as he and Taty Frans finished in third and fourth respectively.
Heat ten was started, but unfortunately the wind shifted during the race, which left sailors unable to make the third mark, thus leading to the cancellation of the heat. The wind never re-established itself from this point on, and the sun was soon replaced by increasing cloud cover and rain.
Tomorrow’s forecast offers the opportunity for more thermal activity, with clear and sunny skies on the latest predictions, which should hopefully see the exciting conclusion of the first elimination, after an action packed hour on the opening day. The skipper’s meeting has been called for 10am tomorrow morning, with the first possible start at 10:30.

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Aktuell wird gefahren, gleich das erste Finale...

Erste Elimination ging an:

1. Dunkerbeck
2. Allen
3. Bijl
4. Albeau
5. Mousillmani S.
6. Quentel
7. Dagan
8. Menegatti

was ist denn mit nem live stream ? gibt es keinen ?

Wahrscheinlich eingespart.

Heute kein Wind in CB, was eine Seuche...

dann geht meine Uhr noch nach Winterzeit und ich habe falsch geschaut...

Whow, Albeau hat gerade seine erste Elimination des Jahres gewonnen. Totgeglaubte leben länger...

Später Wind:

Zitat von PWA

Day 3 : ALBEAU HITS BACK TO WIN THE SECOND ELIMINATION

The third day of competition in Costa Brava didn’t kick off until twenty past five, as the wind continued to change direction and strength. Eventually after three and half painstaking hours on standby, the sailors’ patience was rewarded and the whole of the second race was completed in fourteen to twenty four knots of wind. Antoine Albeau (RRD / NeilPryde) came out on top as the Frenchmen claimed his first elimination victory of the year with an assured display.

Elimination Two

Winners’ Final

Steve Allen (Starboard / Severne) came flying out of the blocks in heat sixteen after a textbook start. The Australian held his lead into the first mark, as Bjorn Dunkerbeck (Starboard / Severne / Mystic / Dunkerbeck Eyewear / Chris Benz) came roaring past Albeau to move into second place. However the terminator wasn’t in the top two for long as his archrival, Albeau, flew through his opening gybe and exited fully planing to move back into second place. The big Frenchmen looked like a man on a mission and he soon had Allen in his sights. He combined his blistering top speed and flawless gybes to take the lead by the exit of the second mark, and from this point on Albeau only extended his advantage to take a thoroughly deserved victory. Meanwhile, Starboard and Severne teammates, Dunkerbeck and Allen, battled it out for second and third place respectively. The Australian managed to hold onto second place until the final gybe, however at this point Dunkerbeck struck as he took the inside line to overtake his team mate. Allen tried to fight back on the final straight but Dunkerbeck used his wealth of experience to block him off, the Australian was left to settle for third. Completing the top four was the super consistent Julien Quentel (RRD / NeilPryde), who finished ahead of Cyril Moussilmani (Starboard / Severne / Mystic).

Winner’s Quote

Antoine Albeau speaking after claiming his first elimination victory of the year:

“I’ve definitely been waiting for my first victory so it’s nice to do that today. The wind was really good at the end, so in the winners’ final I was on my 7.8 and medium board. At the start I had a big fight with Bjorn because we were all late apart from Steve Allen, who had a killer start. I was behind both of them into the first turn but I managed to perform a really good gybe at the first mark to move Bjorn, which was great. By the end I was feeling very confident, I felt I had good speed and that I was gybing well. I am delighted with how today went.”

Losers’ Final

In the losers’ final Pierre Mortefon (Fanatic / North) made the best start of the fleet, and he took full advantage of his early lead to cruise to victory in heat fifteen. The race for second place was a much tighter affair, involving Jimmy Diaz (Starboard / North), Ludovic Jossin (Patrik / Loft Sails) and Josh Angulo (Angulo / Point-7). As they left the third mark it was Jimmy Diaz who had managed to muscle his way into second, and he showed no signs of relinquishing it. Jossin won the battle for third ahead of Josh Angulo and Cedric Bordes (Tabou / Gaastra / Mystic).

Prior to the finals the opening rounds of the second elimination saw no major upsets, as the top seeds all safely navigated their way into the next round. However the quarterfinals proved to be a whole different ball game as the big names began to fall. In heat ten the winner of Korea, Micah Buzianis (JP / MauiSails), was extremely unlucky, as the American followed Cedric Bordes into the gybe, Bordes fell which left Buzianis no room to maneuver, meaning that the two sailors collided. This altercation saw both the sailors drop out of the top four and unfortunately Buzianis was unable to recover, however Bordes fought his way back through the pack to finish in second place. Buzianis wasn’t the only casualty from heat ten as Ben Van Der Steen (Starboard / Loft Sails / Mystic) and Arnon Dagan (Tabou / Gaastra) both failed to qualify as well. Heat eleven proved to be no different either as Finian Maynard (RRD / Avanti) was pipped to the crucial fourth spot by a flying Jimmy Diaz. Other sailors who failed to progress past the quarter finals, included Sylvain Moussilmani (Tabou / Simmer) and Alberto Menegatti (Starboard / Gaastra), who both made the winner’s final on day two, proving just how competitive the men’s slalom tour is.

Men’s Slalom Standings After Elimination 2

1st Bjorn Dunkerbeck (Starboard / Severne / Mystic / Dunkerbeck Eyewear / Chris Benz)

2nd Antoine Albeau (RRD / NeilPryde)

3rd Steve Allen (Starboard / Severne)

4th Julien Quentel (RRD / NeilPryde)

5th Jimmy Diaz (Starboard / North)

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Wird wieder gefahren, ist aber wenig Wind. Zumindest schon mal mehr Wind als gestern um die Zeit.

Elimination 3 läuft...

Hier das Material der Starter, ergänzt um die Nachmelder...

Sehr verwunderlich, daß einige Leute völlig von der Rolle sind dies Jahr, von denen man eigentlich mehr erwartet hätte.

Finian Maynard, Peter Volwater, Ben van der Steen usw.

Pieter Bijl aber wieder ziemlich stark.

Gleich das Finale der 3. Elimination...

Bei einigen der o.g. könnte es an den "schlechten" Segeln liegen oder war dieses Jahr schon ein Avantifahrer unter den Top 5 ?

Wie war das noch mit dem neuen Material, was auf den Fahrer angepaßt ist ?
Mancher hat neuen Krempel und sich entweder noch nicht eingewöhnt oder das Material paßt noch nicht zu den Vorlieben.

Tja, da sollte man doch mal eine Grundsatzdiskussion im Forum starten. Material doch weit auseinander und kaum Unterschiede...?...

Jetzt Finale.

Dunki und auch Albeau haben 2 von 3 Vorläufen gewonnen und je 1x 2. Platz. Mal sehen, wer es packt. Endlich wird es wieder spannend, wenn die nah zusammen sind. Sonst ist ja niemand in Sicht...

Frühstart von A2

Passiert halt auch mal
Wenn jemand 2 sec zu spät ist, ist der Zug abgefahren, nen Dunki überholt dieses Jahr fast niemand, wenn er mal vorne ist.

Zitat

Heat 16 is underway again - It's a good start but only 5 sailors crossed the line. Kozanoglu got the best of it.

Wieso nur 5??