Thomas Goyard (FRA-3) and Maelle Gilbaud (FRA-5) are the first RS:X Convertible Class Champions at the end of five amazing days of competition in the beautiful bay of Praia da Vitoria, on the island of Terceira in the Azores.
Despite the poor forecast, the Race Committee was able to start on schedule at midday and the final two races of the competition series for both men and women were completed in good foiling conditions in 11 to 15 knots.[more]
The women were away first. Maelle Guilbaud (FRA-5) maintained her spectacular form taking both bullets and ending the competition with a perfect score of 14 (including two discards). Sadly Marina Alabau (ESP-5) was forced to rest with a back injury but she had already done enough to secure her second place, 10 points clear of Emily Hall (GBR-714) who took third place on the podium.
Our Champion, Thomas Goyard (FRA-3) didn’t have it all his own way today – Alexandre Cousin (FRA-752) took the first win – but Thomas finished the competition with a comfortable 24 points and the gold medal. Julien Bontemps (FRA-6) was on fire making a late surge with a third followed by a second but, despite it not being Sebastian Kornum’s (DEN-24) best day, Sebastian held on to the silver medal position with 37 points, just one point ahead of Julien who had to be content with bronze.
Everyone is looking forward to the prize giving dinner which will be a fitting end to a great event, very well organised by the Clube Naval Praia da Vitoria, whose generous hospitality has been thoroughly enjoyed by all.
