PWA Awaza World Cup - Weather halts action on day 4

by Chris Yates on 5 Jul 2014 On day four of the PWA Awaza World Cup, the wind failed to make an appearance as the searing heat prevented the local thermal effect from kicking in. With sailors on hold for the entirety of the day we caught up with a couple of them to discuss yesterday’s racing.

First up we chatted to France’s Pascal Toselli (Starboard / Point-7):

PWA: Yesterday you were leading the winners’ final… then the wind drops and the race is cancelled, how were you feeling when that happened?

PT: 'For sure I was disappointed, but at the same time in one way it’s good. It’s good because it shows that I am capable of doing it in the light winds, which aren’t my favourite conditions. Of course on the other hand I am still disappointed because I made a good start, I had good speed and my gybe was okay too. I think at that point I was in control.'

PWA: Were you really on 8.6m yesterday?

PT: 'Yes, I was on my 8.6m.'

PWA: What made you choose to go with 8.6m when everyone else was on their biggest equipment?

PT: 'Just because this year I feel really good with my 8.6m. I also have my 9.3m which I like, but for me whenever I’m racing I just feel more comfortable on my 8.6m. I’m heavy, but my 8.6 is powerful and fast.'

PWA: You were leading a winners’ final in Costa Brava and here as well, but both times the victory has eluded you, do you feel like someone is against you?

PT: 'In Costa Brava I was leading until my crash with Antoine Albeau, which also happened at the third mark just like here (laughing) I think I have been a little bit unlucky.'

PWA: It looks like your first elimination victory is very close, you must be feeling confident with the way you are sailing?

PT: 'Yeah, absolutely I feel good. I’m really, really happy with my equipment, my Starboard’s and Point-7 sails. I can see that it is now possible for me to win races. I haven’t quite managed it yet, but hopefully it is coming.'

PWA: Finally, how did you prepare from Costa Brava to here?

PT: 'I just went back home to train. I made a few tuning adjustments to my equipment to finish my preparation and that’s it.'

PWA: Thanks Pascal and good luck for the rest of the event.

Valerie Ghibaudo (Tabou / GA Sails / Mystic) hit back yesterday with her first victory of the year, so we caught up with the French woman to gain on her thoughts on the event so far.

PWA: Yesterday you managed to win your first elimination, in the first race you came sixth. What happened there?

VG: 'The first day was terrible, for me it wasn’t a fair race because before the start ten of the women weren’t planing fifteen-seconds before the start. But anyway, yesterday I just forgot about it and refocused, I didn’t feel under pressure, just relaxed. I just concentrated on making a good start because I was using 7.9m when the rest of the girls were on 8.6m.'

PWA: Why did you opt for the smaller sail?

VG: 'I don’t have an 8.6m because I still have problems with my shoulder, for me the 8.6m has too much power whereas the 7.9m is just about okay. I’m still taking it easy on my shoulder and I am due to have another operation in December.'

PWA: Feeling happy after the victory yesterday?

VG: 'For sure I’m very happy with the first place yesterday, but I really want to finish one or ideally two more races so I can discard the sixth place in the first race. I would very much like to win here, but if I come second then I think that that is still a good start to the year. I feel like I have good speed, I’m happy with my gear and we have more events to come.'

PWA: Thanks Valerie and good luck for the remainder of the event.

The skippers’ meeting for tomorrow has been called for 8:30am with the first possible start at 9am. Speaking to a few of the locals, they seem to think that tomorrow afternoon should produce some wind, so hopefully we will see the conclusion of the men’s opening elimination at the very PWA World Tour