PWA World Cup Ulsan - Top seeds advance

by Vivienne Masters on 15 May 2011 PWA World Cup Ulsan day 1. A leisurely opening day, where in typically taunting South Korean conditions, four heats were completed.

With the opening day in Korea limited to just an afternoon of competition following both fleet, and equipment registration, it was a welcome relief when the forecasted offshore wind swung 90 degrees to the prevailing side shore direction, allowing the race committee to set the four buoy slalom course, and summon the racers to the East Sea for the opening heats of the event.

Greeted with wall to wall blue skies and winds gusting up to 25 knots, the first heats of race elimination one were given a brief flavor of what’s in store for them over the coming days. However, despite the promising outlook, competition’s progress was limited to heats one, two, four and five (heat three remains to be sailed) of the opening round, before the wind became too gusty to continue racing.

In those heats there was no real drama, as all the top seeded sailors advanced to the subsequent round as predicted, leaving the action to be picked up tomorrow, where a similar forecast looks poised to deliver a full day of racing.

With official racing called off for the day, a full fleet commemorative opening race was sailed in the evening light, for a selection of local dignitaries and council members. In that race, Ludo Jossin (Loft) extended his run of early season form to secure victory in the men’s fleet, and France’s Morane Demont (Starboard / Severne) took top honors in the women’s category.

Racing is scheduled to commence at 10.30am local time (UTC +9) tomorrow, following the morning’s skippers meeting at 10.00am.

PWA World Tour: Website
PWA World Cup Ulsan: Website

* The PWA organize and sanction professional events, make new rules for the sport, help promote grass roots growth, strengthen the bonds of friendship between existing associations, classes and disciplines of windsurfing and to provide support and services for all windsurfers.