PWA Pegasus Airlines World Cup - Thrilling victories in Alacati

by Chris Yates on 2 Sep 2012 On the last day of the PWA Pegasus Airlines World Cup, multiple world champion Antoine Albeau (RRD / NeilPryde), claimed his first event victory of the year, following a simply outstanding performance, whilst Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins / Chris Benz) made a storming return to the women’s slalom by coming out on top of the crop, as well as winning the final elimination of the week.

Meanwhile, Josh Angulo (Angulo / Point-7), claimed his first bullet of the year, before the prize giving ceremony took place in front of a packed beach to cap a truly remarkable week. Valerie Arrighetti (Tabou / Gaastra / Mystic) stole the show, as the French lady was crowned the champion of the world, after a fantastic season.

The last winners’ final of the week saw Josh Angulo grab his moment in the limelight, once heat sixteen was underway again. The first attempt to start the race saw Peter Volwater (Fanatic / Avanti), Julien Quentel (RRD / NeilPryde) and Ross Williams (Tabou / Gaastra) all disqualified as they mistimed their starts. With just five sailors remaining it was Josh Angulo who made the best start of the bunch, and he was able to defend his lead from start to finish, despite a strong challenge from Bjorn Dunkerbeck (Starboard / Severne / Mystic / Dunkerbeck Eyewear / Chris Benz).

The terminator and Albeau made poor starts to the final, but by the first mark they were both right in contention for first place. However Angulo showed no signs of crumbling under the pressure and he soon claimed victory with Dunkerbeck narrowly behind him. Cedric Bordes (Tabou / Gaastra) sailed a great race as he managed to out maneuver Albeau to claim third, whilst Patrick Diethelm (Patrik / Loft) came storming down the home straight to also overtake the big Frenchman. 

Ben Van Der Steen (Starboard / Loft / Mystic / Different), who has been so consistent this week, suffered a first round exit in race nine as he sailed the other side of the race start line buoy to avoid being over early. Unfortunately for the Dutchman no other sailors had mistimed their starts and with this he was out of the race. Elsewhere in race nine Micah Buzianis (JP / MauiSails), Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins), Pieter Bijl (JP / NeilPryde) and Dennis Muller (F2 / Challenger / AL360) all crossed the start line early, which gave Bora Kozanoglu (Starboard / Severne), Kasper Juul Larsen (Starboard / North), Andrea Ferin (RRD / Challenger / AL360) and Damien Le Guen (Exocet) a free pass into the quarterfinals. 

Although Antoine Albeau won the event here in Alacati, Bjorn Dunkerbeck’s third place ensured the terminator remains at the top of the overall world rankings, with Ben Van Der Steen currently completing the podium positions.

'It’s great to be back at the top of the podium. Alacati is always great we had wind almost everyday and we had some great racing. It’s going to be another epic battle with Bjorn (Dunkerbeck) and I am already looking forward to Sylt, hopefully we get similar conditions.'

The winners’ final saw Sarah-Quita Offringa continue her fine form as she claimed her fourth elimination victory in a row and with it she secured the overall event victory too. Offringa came flying out of the blocks and after arriving at the opening buoy in first place she only continued to increase her advantage at the front. The lady from Aruba combined her untouchable top speed with fully planing gybes as she destroyed the rest of the fleet.

Cagla Kubat (Starboard / Loft) endured a tough battle with Karin Jaggi (Patrik / Severne) and Valerie Arrighetti, but the local girl held her own and with it she claimed a deserved second place. Meanwhile Arrighetti managed to win the crucial battle between, herself and Jaggi, as the French lady claimed third place, whilst Jaggi had to settle for fourth.

After narrowly edging out Jaggi in the winners’ final, Arrighetti not only clinched the event victory but she also snatched the PWA Slalom World Championship title from under the nose of the Swiss gem. Lena Erdil (Patrik / Loft / AL360) finished the final race of the event in fifth place, which was enough to ensure that the Turk secured her spot on the podium in third place, as she became the first Turkish girl to finish in the top three overall, ever.

Sarah-Quita Offringa: 'I’m so glad that I managed to get it together eventually. I didn’t have any expectations coming into the event and it’s gone way better than I thought it would have. I’ve spent three weeks in Alacati and it’s been great. I want to say a big thank you to everyone.'

Valerie Arrighetti: 'I’m very, very, very happy! I can’t quite believe what has happened yet as it doesn’t feel real. Alacati has been a real challenge for me again, I’m incredibly happy to have won the world tour!'

Overall Results of the Pegasus Airlines PWA World Cup - Men’s Slalom:

1st Antoine Albeau (RRD / NeilPryde)
2nd Ben Van Der Steen (Starboard / Loft / Mystic / Different)
3rd Bjorn Dunkerbeck (Starboard / Severne / Mystic / Dunkerbeck Eyewear / Chris Benz)
4th Ross Williams (Tabou / Gaastra)
5th Peter Volwater (Fanatic / Avanti)

Overall Results of the Pegasus Airlines PWA World Cup - Women’s Slalom:

1st Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins / Chris Benz)
2nd Valerie Arrighetti (Tabou / Gaastra / Mystic)
3rd Karin Jaggi (Patrik / Severne)
4th Lena Erdil (Patrik / Loft / AL360)
5th Delphine Cousin (JP / NeilPryde)

Overall Results of the 2012 PWA World Tour - Women’s Slalom:

1st Valerie Arrighetti (Tabou / Gaastra / Mystic)
2nd Karin Jaggi (Patrik / Severne)
3rd Lena Erdil (Patrik / Loft / AL360)
4th Delphine Cousin (JP / NeilPryde)
5th Cagla Kubat (Starboard / Loft)

PWA Event website