PWA Awaza World Cup - Valerie Ghibaudo hits back on day 3

by Chris Yates on 4 Jul 2014 The waiting game continued on day three of the PWA Awaza World Cup as the sailors endured another long day on the beach. Just like yesterday the wind arrived in the early evening allowing the second elimination of the women’s slalom to be completed, in similar tricky conditions to yesterday, whilst the men have been whittled down to the top twenty-four, meaning only the winners’ and losers’ finals are to be sailed. In the end Valerie Ghibaudo (Tabou / GA Sails / Mystic) managed to claim her first bullet of the year, before the wind disappeared, bringing an end to proceedings.

In the first semifinal Pierre Mortefon (Fanatic / North) showed fantastic speed in the light winds to comfortably book his place in the first winners’ final. Also qualifying with the Frenchman is Ludovic Jossin (Patrik / Loft Sails), Ross Williams (Tabou / GA Sails), Pascal Toselli (Starboard / Point-7), Jimmy Diaz (Starboard / North Sails) and Cyril Moussilmani (Starboard / Severne), who was able to hold off Jordy Vonk (F2 / Point-7) to clinch the final qualifying position.

Gonzalo Costa Hoevel (Starboard / Loft Sails) was the first man to qualify for the winners’ final from heat six as he claimed victory ahead of Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic / MFC), Arnon Dagan (RRD / NeilPryde), Matteo Iachino (Fanatic / North), Alexandre Cousin (Patrik / Loft Sails / Mystic) and Steve Allen (Starboard / Severne).

The men's winners' final was started, but the heat had to be cancelled due to a lack of wind as Pascal Toselli saw his lead disappear before him. The Frenchman will be hoping for better luck next time around.

Valerie Ghibaudo led from start to finish as the 2012 PWA World Champion produced a faultless display in the light winds to claim her first victory of the year and put her right back in contention for the overall event title. Delphine Cousin (Starboard / Loft Sails) backed up her opening win with a solid second place today and the reigning PWA World Champion currently sits proudly at the top of the rankings. Behind her fellow compatriot Marion Mortefon (Starboard / Severne) clinched third to complete an all French top three, whilst Fulya Unlu (Starboard / Severne) edged out Lena Erdil (Patrik / Loft Sails / Mystic / AL360) to finish in fourth and fifth place respectively. Unfortunately Mio Anayama (Starboard / NeilPryde) and Ayako Suzuki (Tabou / GA Sails / Mystic) were disqualified from the first attempt to run the final after both Japanese women jumped the gun.

Earlier in the day we were able to catch up with Josh Angulo (Angulo / Gun Sails), who has unfortunately had to withdraw from the remainder of the competition due to the foot injury he sustained yesterday.

PWA: Hey Josh, what happened in your heat yesterday?

JA: 'Basically, as almost everybody knows by now the wind has been very light, shifty and gusty... I believe this was the fourth time starting heat 2 (it finally ran the fifth time). I got to the first buoy in third or fourth I think... Because it was so light we were all doing pretty slow motion jibes and just hugging the mark. I got so close that the nose of my board hit the buoy and unfortunately swung to the upwind side of the mark. I tried to kinda 'snap jibe' it back the other way over the buoy, but to no avail at which point I jumped back in the water... In trying to get around this 'big fat buoy in five knots of wind :)'. I kicked the front of my board to try and kick it around the buoy, unfortunately I kicked it back into my other foot and felt the fin hit.... Didn’t seem to hit hard and at the time I was pretty jacked on racing adrenaline so I didn’t know how bad it was…'

PWA: So what happened when you saw the cut to your foot?

JA: 'At that point heat was cancelled due to lack of wind and I popped up to see my buddy and general 'make it happen guy' Pieter Bijl right there. I asked him to go get some super glue, while I sailed back to the start boat for the restart. I jumped on the boat, super glued my wound shut and went on to sail a heat that I was in great position, but just stopped planing straight away (like I said, light shifty and gusty).'

'So when I got back to the beach the local doctors came to have an initial look. That wasn't going the way I wanted and it was a bit unnerving. Finally the King of the beach, Rado, showed up and rescued me and got me to Arkin and their private Hotel doctor who took great care of me…'

PWA: What was the extent of the injury in the end?

JA: 'The doctor cleaned me up and then I had six stitches put in.'

PWA: Is everything okay now?

JA: 'The doctor wasn’t too impressed with all the super glue I put in there, but after some numbing injections, he got it all scraped out... arrgghh :(.'

PWA: Ouch… What’s the score? Can you still compete?

JA: 'Initially , I figured I could still compete, but as reality set in, I did understand that it was a pretty deep cut and continuing to push would risk the recovery process. Although we have been so well received and taken care of in Yelken Yacht Club, Awaza. The reality is we weren’t having much conditions, so I decided the best thing is to get back to the USA, have my doctors double check it and work towards a speedy recovery for Fuerteventura.'

'I would like to send a great thanks to Polimeks, Arkin and Yulia, Rado and everybody else that made this event happen. I also wish all my windsurf colleagues a good event and until .... Fuerte!'

PWA: Thanks Josh, we wish you a speedy recovery.

The skippers’ meeting for tomorrow has been called for 8am with the action commencing from 8:30am if conditions allow.

Results After Elimination Two - Women’s Slalom
1st Delphine Cousin (Starboard / Loft Sails)
2nd Valerie Ghibaudo (Tabou / GA Sails / Mystic)
3rd Lena Erdil (Patrik / Loft Sails / Mystic / AL360)
4th Marion Mortefon (Starboard / Severne)
5th Maria Andres (Patrik / Gun Sails / Mystic)
6th Marianne Kaplas (Starboard / Severne) PWA World Tour