2014 Formula Kite World Championships - Bridges strike back on day 2
by Markus Schwendtner on 21 Aug 2014
Steph Bridge - 2014 Formula Kite World Championships Onur CAM
2014 IKA Formula Kite World Championship - It was a tight battle today in the women’s fleet with Steph Bridge (GBR, North) swapping first places with defending World Champion Erika Heineken (USA, ML/Ozone). Heineken scored three bullets bringing her in 0.7 points striking distance to Bridge, sitting in first now with 12 points.
Still sitting strong in third position is 17 year old Elena Kalinina (RUS, TMV/Elf). Aga Grzymska (POL, ML/Ozone) and Astrid Berz (SUI, ML/Ozone) complete the top five.
In the mens fleet, 17 year old European Champion Oliver Bridge (GBR, North) scored three bullets to sit in first place, tied in points with defending World Champion Florian Gruber (GER, UC/Ozone). Riccardo Leccese (ITA, ML/Ozone) is close on their heels only four points behind, and Maxime Nocher (FRA, North) who proved his lightwind skills today climbing up into fourth position and Blazej Ozog (POL, North) only a few points behind.
Racing continues tomorrow with the final series for the men, when every competitor carries two times his position forward after the qualifying series. The real racing starts now when the top guys battle it out in the gold fleet.
The women’s fleet continue their single opening series with another four races scheduled.
The forecast is lighter for the next two days, which gives the light wind specialists a chance to catch up after racing in stronger breeze for the past two days. The wind prediction for the medal series day on Saturday still looks strong, which means that the 2014 world titles are wide open.
Overall standings after eight races:
Men:
1. Oliver Bridge (GBR, North) - 10 pts
2. Florian Gruber (GER, UC/Ozone) - 10 pts
3. Riccardo Leccese (ITA, ML/Ozone) - 14 pts
4. Maxime Nocher (FRA, North) - 19 pts
5. Blazej Ozog (POL, North) - 20 pts
Women:
1. Steph Bridge (GBR, North) - 12 pts
2. Erika Heineken (USA, ML/Ozone) - 12.7 pts
3. Elena Kalinina (RUS, TMV/Elf) - 20 pts
4. Aga Grzymska (POL, ML/Ozone) - 25 pts
5. Astrid Berz (SUI, ML/Ozone) - 33 pts
For more information, click here or contact the International Kiteboarding Association at info@internationalkiteboarding.org
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