With a maximum of three races possible on the final day, the title of 2014 Formula Windsurfing World Champion is still not certain. Just one point now between GBR-83 at the top and AUS-0 in second, and ARG-3 in third has narrowed the gap to just five points![more]
Despite Ross Williams winning the first two races today a 5 and 6th in the last two meant Steve Allen closed up on the overnight leader with a bullet in the last race of the day.
In third place overall on the leaderboard, star sailor of the day was Gonzalo Costa Hoevel who, despite some problems in the first race of the day, came back with a first and a second in the next 2 races. This was enough to consolidate his position on the podium step but also brought him closer to Steve Allen. He was leading in race 12 but damaged his boom and was fortunate to finish in 4th.
Fierce contests are going on right down the leaderboard with places being exchanged, many competitors are getting used to the tough conditions and seem better able to manage the big gusts of wind hitting the course area. In the final, and windiest, race the conditions swung from an average of 18 knots to 28 knots in the strongest gusts.
The last day is going to be immense. Skippers meeting will be at 9.00 with first possible warning signal at 10.00. Stay tuned!
Formula Windsurfing.org (with live ticker)
Sean O’Brien reports from Azores
