The Doctor brings good times for Hydrofoil World Pro Tour

by Bernie Kaaks on 28 Nov 2016 Day three of the Hydrofoil World Pro Tour Final Round brought with it perfect conditions for fast kite racing. The Fremantle Doctor, the local sea breeze that kicks in reliably during Perth summer months, arrived early and when the first of today’s six races began, was registering 16 to 18 knots with gusts just over 20 – similar conditions to day two, but with less venom in the gusts.

Racing was fast and furious and closer than in earlier heats. Racing at the speeds these foiling boards reach is not without an element of risk. Many riders now wear helmets when they race, and as Guy Bridges discovered yesterday, the carbon fibre foils can inflict deep cuts. Volunteer event rescue craft have been kept busy dealing with high speed spills. Most riders can exceed the speed of the powered media craft on the water in these conditions.

The top two spots on the leader board, with one day of competition remaining, look set. Frenchman Nico Parlier has been dominant throughout, winning every race to date. Close behind him, both on the course and on the leader board, is the 19 year old Briton, Olly Bridges, who has an unbroken string of second places to his credit.

Bridges would be frustrated by Parlier’s ability to close him down when it seemed he enjoyed an unassailable lead in two races today. The battle between these two is fascinating for it is not the first time that Bridges has led the fleet, only to watch Parlier flying past before reaching the finish line.

Behind these two, positions become interesting. Italy’s Ricci Leccesi had a good day with three third placings from six races to hold his third spot on the ladder. Spaniard Florian Trittel had an even better time of it, with three third and three fourth placings, and now lies just five points behind the Italian.

Now that two drops have been implemented, Guy Bridge’s scoreline improved dramatically since the race he was unable to sail due to injury yesterday, can now be excluded. Guy has proved to be a tough customer, competing today with stitches in his hand and still able to finish in the top six in all but the first race today. He now shares fifth place with Germany’s Florian Gruber, both on 66 points.

Young Croatian Martin Dolenc might be disappointed with his day, having slipped three places to ninth overall.

American Daniela Moroz is a clear leader in the women’s division, but France’s Alexia Fancelli enjoyed conditions today to leapfrog Steph Bridge and move into second place. Russian rider Elena Karinina lies just behind Steph Bridge.

Best of the Australian contingent is new national champion Andy Hansen, in fifteenth place with 150 points. Andrew Cooksey is second and youngster Mani Bisschops is third.