PWA Fuerteventura Grand Slam - Action resumes on day 3

by Chris Yates on 28 Jul 2014 The wind returned on the third day of the Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam, hosted by René Egli, as winds of 14-24 knots provided some of the best racing conditions of the year, allowing the third elimination to be completed. Pascal Toselli (Starboard / Point-7) struck again to claim his second bullet of the week, which sees the Frenchman rise to the top of the event rankings.

Micah Buzianis (JP / MauiSails) made the perfect start in the winners’ final as he crossed the line in first place, however the American wasn’t able to hold onto his lead for long as Pascal Toselli moved into the top spot by the first mark as he continued to look blisteringly quick. The Frenchman, who claimed his first ever elimination victory on Friday, soon added another victory to his name as he stayed cool, calm and collected to secure bullet number two, which means Toselli is now the current event leader with two days to go. Behind him Buzianis claimed second place followed by Antoine Albeau (RRD / NeilPryde) - who had to slow down just before the start line to avoid going over early - and Cyril Moussilmani (Starboard / Severne), who did brilliantly to overtake his brother Sylvain Moussilmani (Simmer) at the final mark.

Elsewhere in race three Gonzalo Costa Hoevel (Starboard / Loft Sails) suffered a first round exit. The Argentinian was neck and neck with Jimmy Diaz (Starboard / North) as they approached the start line, but slammed on the brakes to avoid going over early. Unfortunately for Costa Hoevel the start was timed to perfection and he was unable to claw his way back into the top four. In heat five, eighteen year old Benjamin Augé, who is making his debut on the PWA World Tour, did brilliantly to book his place in the quarterfinals as he finished fourth behind Finian Maynard (RRD / Avanti), Antoine Questel (Starboard / Loft Sails) and Ben Van Der Steen (Tabou / GA Sails / Mystic).

The fourth race was started, but will have to be completed tomorrow after the wind became too gusty to continue racing. There is now just one heat remaining to be sailed of the first round, so heat eight will be the first heat on the water tomorrow. In the opening round John Skye (RRD / RRD / MFC), who is also making his debut appearance in the slalom, was visibly delighted to qualify for the next round for the first time as clinched the final qualifying position in heat six. Meanwhile, Pieter Bijl (Angulo / Gun Sails) miss out on a place in the quarterfinals. The Dutchman occupied fourth place in heat two, but dropped his second gybe allowing sixteen year old Ethan Westera (Starboard / GA Sails) to progress into the next round for the second time this week.

The forecast for tomorrow promises to provide further brilliant racing conditions as the slalom heads towards its climax. Will Toselli be able to hold onto his lead?

If you’d like to know more about Fuerteventura or are interested in a windsurfing holiday then be sure to visit www.rene-egli.com. René Egli is a world class windsurfing centre, which opened an amazing new station in April, stocked with all the latest toys you could possibly desire.

Results after Elimination Three Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam:
1st Pascal Toselli (Starboard / Point-7)
2nd Antoine Albeau (RRD / NeilPryde)
3rd Matteo Iachino (Fanatic / North)
4th Cyril Moussilmani (Starboard / Severne)
5th Steve Allen (Starboard / PWA World Tour