Ufficio stampa - Press office
Aline Siepmann
091453483 - 452997
E-mail albaria@albaria.com
4 - 14 Maggio 2003 - Mondello - Italy
WINDSURF OLYMPIC Board
|
|
|
|
Ufficio stampa - Press office |
4 - 14 Maggio 2003 - Mondello - Italy |
|
WINDSURF OLYMPIC Board |
|
|
WINDSURF:
MISTRAL OLYMPIC BOARD MEN AND WOMEN
Press Release n. 7 Day 5
What an awesome day of racing at Capo Gallo! Sailors awoke with sunny skies and were finding light patchy breeze at Mondello Bay. The start was posted for 10:00 AM but due to the lack of wind the race committee hoisted the AP flag onshore. Competitors used the spare time to check their equipment, relax in the shade and get mentally prepared for the upcoming day. Locals forecasted a day of building breeze indicated by the creeping fingers of clouds over the Capo Gallo cliffs. As anticipation grew on the Albaria chill area the race committee picked the perfect time to send men’s Gold and Women’s fleet to ever increasing north west breeze on the orange course. Then shortly after the Silver fleet was sent to the yellow course. Helicopters, coaches, press and jury raced out to their prospective courses, ready for some hot speed action as winds further increased to 20 knots. First start to the Gold men 12:50 PM, general recall due to over eager sailors at the pin end, which was favoured. Slight wind change and the AP flag was raised during the last minute of the second start and in turn a period of time was spent to reset the course and the starting line. Starting sequence, black flag and the third start was away for Gold fleet men’s. First men off the line were Nikos Kaklamanakis (GRE-1) and Nicolas Beudou (FRA-178) were blazing up wind towards the Capo Gallo cliffs. Fresh conditions produced explosive, spray throwing turns and lightening speed manouvers. The race was dominated by Joao Rodriguez (POR-75), Samuel Launay (FRA-112), originally from New Caledonia, and French heavy wind specialist Nikolas Huguet (FRA-8). At the end of the day Frenchman Julien Bontemps (FRA-6) had an amazing record of three bullets in a row leaving his rivals well behind. He his holding the overall lead now with 9 points ahead of French Nikolas Beudou and 10 points to Jan-Paul Tobin (NZL-1) who recently won the Hyeres Week in France. Women were released on the course with the second start of the day. Lise Vidal (FRA-24), newcomer and only 19 years old Lee Korzits (ISR-1111), local Alessandra Sensini (ITA-25) and British Natasha Sturges (GBR-1) were smiling ear to ear from the stronger conditions. The young Lee Korzits, who was until one year ago sailing 470 as a crew, was later interviewed after the racing. She quoted that the conditions were not so shifty as earlier days but more gusty which made course placement very important. In general head towards the winds and stay planning. Speed being the essence of the fight today. Whereas German’s Amelie Lux (GER-82) was dropping to 9th position overall scoring an OCS and two bad results, Romy Kinzl (GER-61) was climbing up the list with two top ten results, showing all her strong winds skills. The overall lead took Lee Lei Shan (HKG-1) putting the first bullet to her record and two forth. Press and coaches witnessed match race like performance with Lise Vidal, who showed an impressive performance with two bullets and a third, as both women raced well ahead of the fleet. At the end of the day there were a lot of heroes on all the courses with extraordinary athletic performances from both men and women. A grueling three races for all divisions made it an exhausting day for all competitors. Great stories were told at the Albaria chill area. Some protest’s, some measurement checking and lots of satisfied sailors longing for their beds. Best nation (men and women) of the day was France – eventually we had to stop counting their flag in the top ten – well done guys !!! Tomorrow’s racing is scheduled again at 10:00 AM.
Mahalo Aline and Belly RESULTS: - Nation Cup
|
|
|
|
|
