Sylt PWA Super Grand Slam - Racing meets waves on day 2

by Chris Yates on 28 Sep 2014 Freestyle was due to kick off day two of the Davidoff Cool Water Sylt PWA Super Grand Slam in explosive fashion, but as the competition started the wind decreased. After two heats, the decision was made to abandon the freestyle in favour of slalom, which produced some of the most exhilarating, edge of your seat racing of the year, as slalom met waves. Sylt’s infamous shorebreak struck on several occasions, but Arnon Dagan (RRD / NeilPryde) was one of the men to survive unscathed as he claimed the opening victory of the event.

The winners’ final had to be re-sailed, which caused uproar on the beach between many of the sailors, due to the finish mark drifting as the sailors headed down the final straight. Upon the restart, Josh Angulo (Angulo / Gun Sails), once again made the best start, as he did on many occasions today, but he was unable to make the most of his lead as he dropped his opening gybe, allowing Arnon Dagan to gain control of the ahead of Julien Quentel (RRD / NeilPryde), Pierre Mortefon (Fanatic / North) and Cyril Moussilmani (Starboard / Severne). Over the remainder of the course the Israeli was able to extend his lead and he was soon celebrating claiming victory, his second bullet of the year. Behind him Cyril Moussilmani was able to overtake Quentel for second, whilst Mortefon claimed fourth after Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic / MFC) slipped back to fifth place, having worked so hard to climb back through the field after a poor start.

With the extreme racing conditions on offer there was plenty of drama, close calls and hard fought battles throughout the entire first race. In the opening round there were shock early exits for both Pascal Toselli (Starboard / Point-7) and Matteo Iachino (Fanatic / North), who sit third and sixth respectively in the world rankings, proving just how tricky the conditions were. Meanwhile, Alexandre Cousin (Patrik / Loft Sails / Mystic) pipped Milan Gielingh (Patrik / KA Sail), who was making his debut on the PWA Slalom World Tour, to the final qualifying place from heat eight as the duo enjoyed an enthralling battle for the line. Unfortunately for the eighteen year old, Cousin just came out on top after the photo finish.

Elsewhere, Andrea Rosati (RRD / NeilPryde) and eventual winner Arnon Dagan did brilliantly to qualify from heat twelve after overtaking both Sebastian Kornum and Ludovic Jossin (Patrik / Loft Sails). Maciek Rutkowski (Patrik / Point-7) pipped Cedric Bordes (Tabou / GA Sails) to the final qualifying place into the winners’ final. As the Frenchman approached the line he caught a wave, causing him to slow, whilst allowing Rutkowski to steal fourth.

Reigning world champion - Antoine Albeau (RRD / NeilPryde) - failed to qualify for the first winners’ final of the week after crashing into Ross Williams (Tabou / GA Sails / Mystic) on the exit of the first gybe of heat fourteen. However, Albeau was able to win the losers’ final to limit any further damage.

The second elimination was started, but after the opening six heats had been completed the wind dropped back. Sailors remained on hold until 4:45pm, but with conditions failing to improve were released for the day.

The forecast for tomorrow again shows wind for the morning, so the skippers’ meeting for the wave and freestyle fleets shall be held at 8am with the action commencing from 8:30am, if conditions allow. Meanwhile, the slalom sailors will meet at 10am with a first possible start of 10:30am.

Results After Elimination One - Davidoff Cool Water Sylt PWA Super Grand Slam - Men’s Slalom

1st Arnon Dagan (RRD / NeilPryde)
2nd Cyril Moussilmani (Starboard / Severne)
3rd Julien Quentel (RRD / NeilPryde)
4th Pierre Mortefon (Fanatic / North)
5th Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic / MFC)
6th Andrea Rosati (RRD / NeilPryde)
7th Maciek Rutkowski (Patrik / Point-7)
8th Josh Angulo (Angulo / Gun PWA World Tour