No doubt about it, light winds are definitely more suited to Max Wojcik (POL-7) than to Patrik Pollak (SVK-1) as Max claimed all three bullets in the last three championship races and thus takes the title of 2013 Raceboard World Champion. [more]
Tension mounted as the start of the day’s races was delayed waiting for the wind to appear but eventually conditions similar to the previous day allowed for two good championship races, and then a third in perhaps marginal conditions but enough to count towards the championship. Definitely a day for light wind specialists.
Max has thrashed the competition finishing on 9 points, a clear 8 points ahead of Patrik who floundered in the light wind conditions but nonetheless claims the First Master Trophy as well as second overall. Brit Louis Morris managed to maintain his foothold on the third place on the podium with a consistently strong performance throughout the championship.
Juha Blinnikka from Finland deserves a mention as the first Grandmaster, fellow compatriot Mai Mannisto was the first Veteran. First Youth was Nikl Andras from Hungary.
Over in the Women’s Fleet, overnight leader Czech Jana Slivova lost her position at the top of the leaderboard and slipped down to second, whilst Latvian Vita Matise edged past with three bullets taking her just one point ahead of Jana at the close of the championship, earning her the title of 2013 Raceboard Women’s World Champion. Consequently Martina Hruba was left to take a well deserved third place on the podium.
The organisers have put on an amazing event on behalf of the Czech Windsurfing Association, providing great entertainment when the wind gods didn’t want to come out to play, and all at DYJE Sailing Club have been wonderful hosts. The Race Committee have done an excellent job in trying conditions and have provided the maximum amount of racing possible.
Special thanks of course go to sponsors Generali, Rubio and a whole host of other partners who have ensured that such a high quality event could be delivered.
Men’s Qualifying Series Completed!
Three races today making a total of 7 in the qualifying series, with 6 to count. Race five started on time after the 10 am warning signal with racers taking to the water in 8-10 knots of stable wind and glorious sunshine.[more] Race six followed before a break for the pasta lunch, then race seven was away in the afternoon. At the end of the day’s racing the men’s fleet was divided into gold and silver fleets for the remainder of the championship.
Past champions Patrik Pollak and Wojcik Maksymilian are on equal points with 6 race wins apiece, ranked first and second respectively on the leaderboard purely by their discard. It’s going to be a tough battle between them for the World Championship 2013 title!
It will also be a close fight for Great Britain’s Louis Morris and Czech Petre Kucera jr for the third position on the podium, both having very consistent results, just one point separating them. Spaniard Curro Manchon will also be joining this fight, if he can recover from the disappointing OCS he scored in race 7, and others close behind Curro are still in with a chance and will be pushing hard. All to play for!!
In the Women’s Division, Jana Slivova has a very healthy lead with 3 race wins under her belt and half the points of her closest rivals fellow Czech Martina Hruba and Latvian Vita Matise. Vita also has three race wins but sadly carries a DNC from day one. She really needs to lose that as a second discard to stand a chance of the Women’s title.
Just one Championship racing day remains. Will the wind gods be kind enough to make a difference?
