Formula Kite European Championships - Bridge and Kalinina dominate

by Kite Classes on 28 Jun 2015 Formula Kite European Championships - After four days of opening series, Oliver Bridge (GBR, North/North) and Elena Kalinina (RUS, Elf/TMV) dominate the competition and are on the best way to defend their 2014 titles.

After the first two days which saw rather light winds, Bridge also won all but one races on day three and four, in winds gusting up to 20 knots. Giving only one race away to Alejandro Climent (ESP, Elf/ML) he is going into the Medal Series with a perfect score, 27 points ahead of Climent in second position.

The Medal Series will all about the remaining podium spots, with Florian Gruber (GER, Ozone/UC) only three points behind Climent. If the 2013 world champion manages to stay ahead of Climent in all four races scheduled for the final day of competition, he could claim second. Get ready for some match racing action! Still, up to seventh place, everyone can theoretical get a podium spot but would need to hope for mistakes of the competitors.

Kalinina had a rather mixed day on the last day of the opening series, with two bullets and two third places. Aga Grzymska (POL, Ozone/ML) and Anastasia Akopova (RUS, Ozone/ML) are tied in points for second and third place - another match race to be expected for the final four races.

The Medal Series is scheduled for Sunday June 28, with competitors hitting the water from 12:00 local time.

The 'Mercedes Benz Go Bozcaada Festival' brings high level sport, music entertainment to this new holiday destination. Beside the converted European Formula Kite Championship there are also Foil competition, Freestyle, 10km run, SUP races and daily concerts and DJ performances, including DJ Berna Ozturk and Ruben Lenten.

Overall standings after 16 races

Formula Kite Men:

1. Oliver Bridge (GBR, North/North) 14 Points
2. Alejandro Climent (ESP, Elf/ML) 41 Points
3. Florian Gruber (GER, Ozone/UC) 44 Points
4. Blazej Ozog (POL, North/North) 56 Points
5. Maks Zakowski (POL, Ozone/TMV) 69 Points

Formula Kite Women:

1. Elena Kalinina (RUS, Elf/TMV) 15 pts
2. Aga Grzymka (POL, Ozone/ML) 33 pts
3. Anastasia Akopova (RUS, Ozone/ML) 33 pts
4. Catherine Dufour (CAN, Ozone/ML) 49 pts
5. Bilge Ozturk (TUR, Ozone/ML) 70 pts