From 28th to 30th June 2013 windsurfing and kite boarding enthusiasts were welcomed to Estonia, Tallinn, Pirita beach. The NeilPryde Baltic Cup has been running for 15 years and once again proved a high level of professionalism in organizing the competition that this time hosted 92 participants from 7 countries. [more]Last weekend the event brought together also Formula Windsurfing European Cup and Cabrinha Baltic Cup.
For the second year in a row, the NeilPryde Baltic Cup included Formula, Raceboard and Techno 293 divisions. Wind speeds varied from 6 – 8.5 knots until the Saturday evening when total wind speed was measured at 12 knots. The Raceboard fleet managed a total of 11 races over the weekend, 8 for the Techno 293 and 3 for Formula.
In the Techno 293 class Russian Mariam Sekhposyan (RUS-13) stood out. Although she had a false start at the very first race, she mastered the rest of the races with 1st position and also in overall results. The 2nd placed Estonian Keit Jarve (EST-257) on the other hand had her worst score in the last race, 7th, but good results from earlier secured her second place on the overall podium. Latvian Ketija Birzule (LAT-151) was consistently third until the last 3 races she didn’t do so well when she had to cede the third place in the final results to Sergey Karavan (RUS-1199) from Russia.
In Raceboard the competition was between the Estonians and Latvians. In Master and Grand Master division all three days were triumphed by Latvians. A close struggle between Vita Matise (LAT-1) and Ilona Grinberga (LAT-18) ended up with Vita Matise victorious. Third place went to Gunars Rozenbergs (LAT-14).
Tallinn’s Formula Windsurfing European Cup and NeilPryde Baltic Cup competitors were not favoured with the wind – the only 3 races they got were on the second day. Estonian Martin Ervin (EST-202, NeilPryde/Starboard), recalls races: “After two days of expecting wind it was so worth it! During the evenings surfing is something quite extreme, especially for our foreign visitors – there are not many places in the world the last race stops at half past ten in the evening. The feeling was great!”
On the 3rd day formula competitors went hopefully to the start line, but after 20 minutes of waiting for the wind they had to return to the beach with no race and no more needed points. Thus, the aggregate of the competition remained the same ranking order as the day before the final: I Martin Ervin (EST-202, NeilPryde/Starboard), II Valentin Brault (FRA-823, NeilPryde / Starboard), III John Kaju (24 GB, Loft/Gaastra).
Betti Vainkula (EST-212, NeilPryde/JP) won the competition in Formula women and the Formula Junior class trophy was handed over to young Estonian Karl-Erik Saarm (EST-228, Loft/Gaastra).
Competition organizer Erno Kaasik: “I’m pleased to say that this series started 15 years ago has grown over the years. Our goal has always been to provide opportunities especially for young Estonian windsurfers to prepare them for the international windsurfing competitions. The fact that today we have 3 different windsurfing classes plus kite race on the stage is uplifting. Respect and great thanks for that to our management team and sponsors! And of course – the best greetings to all our competitors! Hopefully you had fun and enjoyed your stay in Tallinn. Hope to see you again!”
Press releases: http://event.extreme.ee/index.php?id=2013_press_releases
Results: http://event.extreme.ee/index.php?id=neilpryde_baltic_cup_2013_results Pictures by Mihkel Mark: http://event.extreme.ee/index.php?id=picture_gallerys
Videos by Tiit Aunaste: http://event.extreme.ee/index.php?id=2013_baltic_cup
