PWA Alacati World Cup - Frustration arises on day 3

by Chris Yates on 22 Aug 2013 Day three of the PWA Alacati World Cup allowed for just three heats to be completed in the women’s second elimination as flukey winds brought an early conclusion to the day. After a similar start to Wednesday as yesterday, conditions began to rapidly improve at around 2pm. However the wind didn’t last long as lulls of five knots appeared on the racecourse by 3pm and unfortunately the wind never returned from this point, meaning that the men’s and women’s fleets are both poised at the semifinal stages.

Heat two was the first heat of the day to be sailed and was completed at the second time of asking, after the first attempt was cancelled due to a drop in the wind. Upon the restart Marion Mortefon (Starboard / Severne) made the best start of the fleet, but it was local hero Cagla Kubat (Starboard / Loft Sails) who fought back to claim first place, whilst Mortefon, Lena Erdil (Patrik / Loft Sails / Mystic / AL360) and Gelly Skarlatou - who is making her debut on the PWA World Tour - all qualified for the next round.

Heat three also needed two attempts to be completed. In the end Burce Vardarli, Melek Toraman (Starboard / Loft Sails), Ceren Yaman (JP / NeilPryde) and Deniz Sekercioglu comfortably booked their places in the semifinals with confident displays.

The final heat to be completed today was heat four, featuring the current event leader Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic / Chris Benz / Maui Ultra Fins) and the reigning world champion Valerie Arrighetti (Tabou / Gaastra / Mystic). Offringa got away to the perfect start as she crossed the start line in first place, but Finland’s Marianne Kaplas (Starboard / Severne) broke into the lead by the opening buoy and would eventually claim victory. However after such a good start Offringa was slow to plane away from her gybe after getting caught in dirty wind and needed to clinch the final to qualifying spot to ensure her inclusion for the semifinals. Meanwhile, Delphine Cousin (JP / NeilPryde) and Arrighetti finished in second and third place respectively.

The first men’s semi final was started but lulls in the wind soon brought an end to proceedings with the competition officially being called off at 5pm.

Whilst the sailors remained on hold on the beach for the remainder of the afternoon we caught up with one of the upcoming youth talents on the tour Jordy Vonk (Patrik / Loft Sails):

PWA: First of all when did you start windsurfing?

JV: 'I began windsurfing in 2005 so when I was twelve years old.'

PWA: Were you involved in a youth setup before you began racing?

JV: 'No, actually I attended one fun competition, close to where I live. We had light winds and I ended up winning the rookies contest. I felt so stoked after winning the race that I started searching for as many competitions as I could and now I’ve ended up here.'

PWA: Where in the Netherlands do you train?

JV: 'Usually around Brouwersdam, where the PWA Freestyle event will be next month.'

PWA: You’ve also competed in some formula windsurfing events, which one did you start first (slalom or formula)?

JV: 'I’ve done both all the time, but I started with slalom. At the Dutch championships they are going to do formula racing, so that’s the main reason why I am doing both.'

PWA: What are the main differences for you between formula and slalom?

JV: 'Definitely tactics. Formula is an upwind and downwind course, so the tactics are very different and it’s a really important part of the game. In slalom you just have to give 110% in your heat and go as fast as you possibly can.'

PWA: Favorite slalom conditions?

JV: 'I think full power 7.8m sail with my medium board, so you are still in control. But it’s also really cool to go with 6.3m sail and small board, but then it’s more about surviving than anything.'

PWA: Is this your first time in Alacati? What are you first impressions?

JV: 'Yeah it’s my first time. I heard a lot about it from different people that there’s always a lot of wind and that we’ll get to do a lot of racing, so I think we got a little unlucky with the wind so far and I’m a little bit disappointed. But the place is super cool, perfect flat water and the racing that we have done has been super close and exciting, so I like it a lot.'

PWA: You won your first ever heat yesterday you must be pleased with how the week is going so far?

JV: 'Yeah of course I’m happy and I’m pleased that in the two races so far I’ve made it through both of the opening rounds. Yesterday I came super close to qualifying for the semifinals, but I crashed when I was in fourth place, which was too bad, but it was my own mistake so I just have to learn from that.'

PWA: Thanks, Jordy and good luck for the rest of the week

Tomorrow the skippers’ meeting will be held at 10:30am with the racing beginning from 11am, if conditions PWA World Surf n Sound