RS-X European Windsurfing Championships - Shahar in control

by RS:X Class blog on 6 Jul 2010 RS:X European Windsurfing Championships.

The last day of the qualifications for the men's fleet saw the wind arrive on time. Shahar Zubari [ISR] was back on song scoring two wins. He is fast in these conditions and considers that he has more 'in the tank' when he reaches peak fitness. Meanwhile Byron Kokkalanis [GRE] and Piotr Myszka [POL] are locked in a struggle for supremacy six points behind and on equal points.

Shahar is in command so there will be an intense battle between six racers for the minor places. That is, if the conditions do not change substantially over the final three days.

15 knots of breeze are forecast for the rest day tomorrow - it always blows when we schedule a rest day - so let's hope that the wind stays around to offer champagne sailing.

Meanwhile, over in the women's fleet, the two starts today went off without black flag having to be produced. I spoke to Malgorzata Bialecka [POL] after racing she said 'I am pretty tired. The first three days have been tough. That's why I dropped to ninth in the second. I just had no more left to give!'

Now that the discard has been taken Bryony Shaw [GBR] has taken the 'Otis' up the ranking and appeared in third place overall. Posting a third and a fifth today, she is well placed to take advantage of any mistakes Eugenie Ricard [FRA] might make.

Actually Eugenie was the first to admit that the 18th and 10th that she scored today were a disappointment but she still retains her second position even if she has lost ground to Malgorzata.

Laura Linares [ITA] had the best day though posting a second and a firstst to jump to fifth and become the clear leader in the U21 class championships.

Before I close, it should be noted that the all conquering Spanish Dream Team' of Marina Alabau and Blanca Manchon have had an unspectacular opening three days. Marina is languishing in eighth place and not going well in the light airs and Blanca is back 13th and not looking happy at all.

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Top 5 Women

1. Malgorzata Bialecka [POL] - 15 points
2. Eugenie Ricard [FRA] - 23 points
3. Bryony Shaw [GBR] - 29 points
4. Moana Delle [GER] - 30 points
5. Laura Linares [ITA] - 31 points

Top 5 Men

1. Shahar Zubari [ISR] -5 points
2. Byron Kokkalanis [GRE] - 11 points
3. Piotr Myszka [POL] - 12 points
4. Fabian Heidegger [ITA] - 14 points
5. Ivan Pastor [ESP] - 16 points

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