The sixth day at the Formula Windsurfing World Championship on Sylt was absolutely thrilling. Optimal race conditions with wind speeds of 13 to 16 knots allowed for four races. Each race had a different winner which kept the spectators on their toes. At the end of the day Steve Allen (AUS-0) took back the lead in the overall ranking. [more]
After two days of relaxing the wind finally came back. The first race started at 10:00am and brought a victory for Vincent Langer (GER-1) who was the leader of the overall ranking until then. Steve Allen came second in front of Sebastian Koerdel (GER-220) and Gunnar Asmussen (GER-2). But already in the second race Langer had to give way to his contenders. The winner of the second race was the defending Formula Windsurfing world champion Alexandre Cousin (FRA-752) followed by Vincent Langer, Steve Allen and Sebastian Koerdel.
After a short lunch break it was Sebastian Koerdel’s big hour. With a victory in the third race he collected valuable points on his way to the world title. He left Steve Allen, Alexandre Cousin and Vincent Langer behind. Just before the last race Vincent Langer and Sebastian Koerdel both ranged first in the ranking. It was obvious that the winner of the last race of the day would also take the lead in the overall ranking after ten races.
And then Vincent Langer had very bad luck: Being first in the last race his luff tensioner broke and he had to cancel the race. The way for his contenders was now free. Steve Allen used the chance and finished this race on the first place. This victory and a better discard helped him to take back the lead in the overall ranking (17 points). Sebastian Koerdel, who came second in this race also has 17 points and lies on the second position in the overall ranking. The Top-3 are completed by Vincent Langer, who has 19 points. The defending Formula Windsurfing world champion Alexandre Cousin lies on place four (21 points) in front of Gunnar Asmussen (GER-2) with 39 points.
Tomorrow will be the final day of the Formula Windsurfing World Championship. There are four more races to go and four riders are left in a position to win the Formula Windsurfing World title 2017. The forecast looks excellent with expected wind between 14 and 20 knots from south-west. Vincent Langer, “I am looking forward to the last day here on Sylt. Today I was unlucky but tomorrow we all have the same chances again and it will be an exciting day for everybody.” The skippers meeting is planned for 09:30am.