15 September 2011 - 19:59 2011 RS:X European Windsurfing Championships Race Day 3
WINDSURFING RS:X. After a well deserved rest day, we are now into the end game here at the RS:X European Windsurfing Championships in Burgas, Bulgaria. The sea breeze was bound to be less than co-operative at some point and today was that day. Topping out an unenthusiastic 12 knots, conditions were generally marginal so only 2 races were completed.
42 men have been consigned to the silver fleet who are now last in the starting sequence so it was the RS:X European Championship Women’s fleet who were called to the starting line first.
It was Marina Alabau (ESP5) who came out fighting today after missing race day 2 due to illness. She may be out of medal contention but the two bullets she posted today were a clear demonstration of her current dominance in these conditions.
Sofia Klepacka (POL8) had a consistent day to score a 4th in race 7 and a 3rd in race 8 to establish an 18 point lead over second placed Lee Korsitz (ISR111) who hemorrhaged points posting a 13th and a 16th, as did Maja Dziarnowska (POL7) with a 16 and a 23.
It was Laura Linares (ITA11) who benefitted. She put in a 3rd and a 5th to climb to 3rd overall 3 points ahead of Maja and Blanca Manchon (ESP1) who are tied on points for 4th and 5th places.
Over in the RS:X European gold fleet, Piotr Myszka (POL82) has built a commanding lead of 10 points to retain the yellow jersey with Byron Kokkalanis (GRE8) in 2nd and Ivan Pastor (ESP7) 2 points back in third so the fight will probably be for silver and bronze with 5 sailors in contention.
Pierre Le Coq (FRA77) is 2 points back with Shahar Zubari (ISR11) and Andreas Cariolou (CYP1) tied on points for 5th and 6th another 2 points away.
With the forecast for tomorrow predicting the same conditions as today, the light wind specialists will now crowd the front of the fleets leaving the big guys working over time to limit the damage…
After a good day off yesterday, the RS:X Youth European Windsurfing Championships fleets were back on site hoping that the sea breeze would kick in again and provide the champagne racing that we have come to expect.
The trouble is that the wind gods had other ideas. The direction was stable but the top end, in terms of speed, was 12 knots so the PRO called a halt after two marginal races.
Pawel Tarnowski (POL182) started the day by adding to his tally of bullets but slipped to 17th in the second – Race 8 – This was the chance for Louis Giard (FRA155) to apply the pressure...
Disappointingly his 9th in race 8 did nothing to capitalise on the opportunity. It was Kieran Martin (GBR926) who made all the right moves to post a 4th and a 2nd to climb to 4th overall with a chance of a place on the podium if he keeps his composure in the run up to the medal race on Sunday
The other big climber was light wind specialist Dan Davidovich (ISR10) whose 5th in the first race of the day was accompanied by a bullet in the last. More of the same will ensure he climbs further but a medal looks unlikely…
Over in the RS:X Youth Girls fleet, it was Neomi Cohen (ISR7) who did the damage. Posting a 3rd and a 2nd she took full advantage of the lighter breeze to push up the leader board. She is now within striking distance of the top 5 but it is her compatriot Laura Kishon (ISR34) who could take the bronze away from the Polish Troika dominating the scene so far
Kamila Smetkala (POL104) leads. Agnieszka Bilska (POL09) is second. And Karolina Zajaczkowska (POL04) is third. It’s Karolina who looks vulnerable tonight despite placing 2nd in the first race of the day. Her 7th in the second put Laura within 2 points.
One more discard can be taken after the 12th race. This could tighten the points differential even further so there’s still everything to play for with the forecast for tomorrow predicting the same conditions as today. There will be less and less elbow room at the top as we move towards the medal race double points.
This is a potent mix. Expect some fireworks and may be even a turnover... The winner will be the one who can absorb the pressure and stay consistent.
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