2009 Pegasus Airlines Alaçati PWA World Cup – Day 5. The majestic sun rose slowly over the Cezmi Peninsular, casting its warm glow upon the glassy waters of the Alaçati bay; Just another perfect morning in the paradise of Turkey.
Just one important difference to every other day however: No wind.
With local predictions varying all hope hung on a late thermal wind kicking in after lunch. As the day wore on however, expectations dropped and slowly the reality of the situation hit.
However the day was saved with the introduction of the Rozi Ladies Cup. A team challenge generously organized by event partner, Rozi. Team Turkey versus team France versus the World team, in a relay battle in front of an enthusiastic and energetic crowd.
Team Turkey consisted of their finest athletes. Çagla Kubat (Starboard/North Sails), Lena Erdil (Starboard/The Loft) and Melek Toraman (Starboard/North Sails).
Team France included event leader Valerie Ghibaudo (Tabou/The Loft), Alice Arutkin (Starboard/North Sails) and Marion Raïsi (Naish/Naish).
The World Team incorporated three of the event top four, with Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard/NeilPryde), Sarah Hebert (Starboard/Naish) and Karin Jaggi (F2/Severne) making up the seemingly invincible dream team.
From the outset, the favorites dominated with Offringa pumping off into an impressive lead. Behind the remainder of the fleet struggled to plane with Kubat making up valuable ground for Team Turkey. Ghibaudo did her best to catch up in a last ditch chance for Team France but she was chasing an unattainable lead from The World team. With the crowd cheering, it was Jaggi that crossed the finish first claiming victory and the majority share of the prize purse.
As the party kicked off on the beach, the crowds were treated to free FOSTERS beer and the unofficial FOSTERS bikini contest. Tonight the music is pumping and it looks like the night will be a long one as the PWA enters into its grand finale.
As it stands, Albeau (JP/NeilPryde) leads by a comfortable margin, with Maynard (RRD/NeilPryde) and Dunkerbeck (Starboard/Severne) scrapping for second and third. In the women’s fleet, Ghibaudo now looks certain to win both the event and the World title. Behind her, the fight for the podium remains breathtakingly close between Offringa, Hebert and Jaggi. Whatever happens we are all set for a nail biting finish.
1 Antoine Albeau NeilPryde, JP 2 Finian Maynard RRD, NeilPryde 3 Björn Dunkerbeck Starboard, Severne Sails 4 Micah Buzianis NeilPryde, JP 5 Kevin Pritchard Starboard, Gaastra, Dakine 6 Josh Angulo Dakine, Angulo, MauiSails 7 Steve Allen 8 Cyril Moussilmani Starboard, North Sails 9 Peter Volwater F2, MauiSails 10 Ben Van Der Steen Simmer Style, Exocet
Women’s Results after 8 Races
1 Valérie Ghibaudo Loft Sails, Tabou Boards 2 Sarah-Quita Offringa Starboard, NeilPryde 3 Sarah Hebert Starboard, Naish Sails 4 Karin Jaggi F2, Severne Sails 5 Alice Arutkin Starboard, North Sails
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