Time goes very fast when you realise that this was the 15th Neil Pryde Baltic Cup that just finished in Liepaja, Latvia. Fifteen years ago, the organizers created an idea to invite all Baltic windsurfers – from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – to join a new series of events. [more]One event per country, with overall scoring at the end, giving the opportunity for windsurfers to race together, to socialise and make new friends between our countries. Today, we can acknowledge that, since the very beginning, the idea is working very well! From a single discipline Formula event, the event has grown to a multi discipline Euro Cup event, attracting all ages and class of windsurfers, not only from Baltic countries, but from across the globe. The racing series in the Baltics has become one of biggest windsurfing events worldwide today.
104 competitors took part in the final 2013 event in Liepaja, Latvia: 60 in Formula, 20 in Bic Techno, 12 in Raceboard and 12, for the first time, in kiteboard racing!
Over three days, eight races were sailed in the Formula class. Conditions here in Liepaja were quite different from the recent Formula World Championship in Viganj, Croatia, where flat water and light wind dominated the races. In Liepaja, starting with the first day of racing, up to 2 meter waves with strong current from South made sailing conditions great, but also more challenging for all racers. The average wind was from 11 to 20 knots, depending on the race. The wind was also shifty. Only the last race decided the Latvian event winner! Finishing 1st in the last race and only by a 0.7 point margin, the winner is Valentin Brault from France. Second place goes to Janis Preiss from Latvia, who finished 4th in the last race and third to Sebastian Kornum from Denmark.
In the Formula Youth division the winner is Christian Justesen from Denmark, in Masters; Janis Preiss from Latvia and Grandmasters; Ansis Dale from Latvia. The only lady and winner of the Latvia event is Betti Vainkula from Estonia.
In the Bic Techno class, all racers were divided into three divisions; U15, U17 and Open. After 3 races the overall winner is Keit Jarve from Estonia. She won all 3 races with 20 Bic participants, as well as being the U17 division winner. U15 winner is Alexandra Kaupa from Liepaja and Open class winner is Davis Vecbastiks from Latvia.
In the Raceboard class, the same as in Bic, the races were won by a lady, 2 times Olympian Vita Matise. Second place went to Gunars Rozenbergs from Latvia and third to Aldis Surins from Latvia.
For the first time, kitesurfers took part in the Latvia event. Cabrinha Neilpryde Cup from the very beginning has shown great interest from kitesurfers, thanks to its popularity and growing interest worldwide, as well as its Olympic aspirations. The Latvian event was won by Ivan Doronin from Russia, who won five out of six races, followed by Lithuanian Viktoras Seputa and Estonian Ranno Rumm.
The Baltic Cup 2013 overall winners were also decided here in Liepaja. All races from the three events were used in the series overall ranking.
Formula Windsurfing:
1) Janis Preiss (Latvia)
2) Martin Ervin (Estonia)
3) John Kaju (Estonia)
Youth – Petter Kask (Estonia)
Masters – Janis Preiss ( Latvia)
Grandmasters – Ansis Dale (Latvia)
Women – Betti Vainkula (Estonia)
Bic Techno 293:
U15 – Alexandra Kaupa (Latvia)
U17 – Keit Jarve (Estonia)
Overall – Davis Vecbastiks (Latvia)
Raceboard – Vita Matise (Latvia)
Kiteboard Racing – Viktoras Seputa (Lithuania)
In conclusion, I want to thank all the Baltic Cup event organizers: Robertas Gradauskas and Darius Mikelonis from Lithuania; Erno Kaasik from Estonia; and Juris Vasioleks from Latvia. They have been supporting and organizing the events in the Baltics for the last 15 years. Thanks also to the Neil Pryde company, supporting the event series since the very beginning. Many thanks for Latvia event crew Janis Jekabsons, beautiful girls Madara and Agita, Arnis, Juris, Ringolds and Maiks.
Thanks to all participants for coming and taking part in all Baltic Cup events this year and see you next year!
Ansis Dale
Event Results for Raceboard / Overall Baltic Cup Series Results for Raceboard
Event Results for Techno 293 / Overall Baltic Cup Series Results for Techno 293
Event Results for Formula / Overall Baltic Cup Series Results for Formula
