PWA Pegasus Airlines World Cup event preview

by PWA on 7 Aug 2011 The PWA Pegasus Airlines World Cup 2011 will get underway in Alaçati, Turkey on August 8th and will run through to August 13th. Tension is rising in Turkey as the PWA’s elite slalom fleet arrive for the seventh Pegasus Airlines Surf ’n’ Sound Sport and Music Festival.

The Aegean shores of Western Turkey are set to light up as the world’s slickest slalom sailors head to the picturesque town of Alacati, for the penultimate event on the men’s 2011 slalom tour and the women’s final showdown.

The historic town of Alacati is famed for its, chic boutiques, stunning restaurants, crystal clear waters and consistent breeze. The relaxed town leaps into action for the summer months and plays host to thousands of the world’s windsurfers and PWA stars that travel to the windsurfing Mecca to take advantage of the incredible conditions.

Throughout the whole summer, the coastline is blessed with a northerly wind known as the ‘Meltemi’ that blows consistently above 15 knots. The moderate winds increase throughout the morning, peaking in the afternoon, and often reach speeds of over 20 knots. The combination of flat turquoise water and the building wind makes it the perfect location for windsurfers of all abilities to hone their skills.

Beachside: There is a jam-packed line-up planned for the 2011 Surf & Sound Sport and Music Festival. The event site will be kept rocking all week to the sounds of the Power FM DJs. Co-Sponsor, Rowenta will be spoiling the women with beauty treatments and a dance party. Budget car rental will be hosting their own stand full of fun and games. BMW will be putting on a late night beach party, as will Red Bull with their night ride and freestyle show. Alongside all of that there will be paddle boards to test and surf simulators to ride.

A six day slalom extravaganza will take place between 8th-13th August, marking the men’s sixth round of competition in 2011, and the women’s fourth and final battle. The world’s full throttle slalom sailors will be hurling themselves around the racecourse for a taste of the €55,000 prize purse alongside critical world ranking points.

Who to watch out for?

(Men’s Fleet): Having competed in five out of seven events on the 2011 men’s slalom tour, the points are looking incredibly tight at the top of the table. The windsurfing sentinels Bjorn Dunkerbeck (Starboard / Severne / Mystic / DunkerbeckEyewear) and Antoine Albeau (JP / NeilPryde) have had an intense battle throughout the season, as both sailors have fought tooth and nail for the 2011 world title.

Windsurfing legend, Dunkerbeck has led the charge on the 2011 season seeing him win three spectacular events. However a tough run of races in Fuerteventura left him in fourth place allowing his arch rival, Albeau to catch up with another event win of his own. Albeau sits in second place however there are barely any points separating the pair. Expect to see both sailors going all out in Alacati for those critical points.

In third place sits an extremely on form, Ben Van Der Steen (Starboard / Loft / Mystic). Van Der Steen has been charging around the race course all season to earn himself podium finishes at the past three events. Van Der Steen will be undercutting the rest of the fleet at every opportunity to continue with his winning streak.

After a dramatic end to the racing in Fuerteventura, Cyril Moussilmani (Starboard / North) has his hands on fourth place. Moussilmani’s consistency around the racecourse regularly puts him head to head with the top guys.

Fighting for fifth place, the speed demons, Finian Maynard (RRD), Peter Volwater (Fanatic / MauiSails) and Micah Buzianis (JP / NeilPryde) have been pushing the starts hard in 2011 to earn themselves essential positions in the winners’ final. These three will be powering their way through the opening rounds to secure their places in the top ten in Turkey.

Tactical racing from Julien Quentel (RRD / NeilPryde), Steven Allen (Starboard / Severne), Josh Angulo (Angulo / Gun / Dakine) and Jimmy Diaz (Starboard / North) has put these four all in with a chance of finishing the season in the top ten. The sailors will be trying everything they can to make their way to the end of the course in qualifying position.

Also in the mix, a whole host of rapid-racers such as Ross Williams (Tabou / Gaastra), Arnon Dagan (Tabou / Gaastra), Pierre Mortefon (Fanatic / North) and Ludovic Jossin (Loft).

Women’s Fleet: With three events under their belts and just one more to go, the women will be fired up for an action packed week in Alacati. Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic) has dominated the women’s slalom fleet with two first places, putting her ahead of the rest of the pack. Offringa will be looking to make it a hat trick and claim her second world title in 2011.

Super-consistent Alice Arutkin (Fanatic / North) sits in second having finished in third, fourth and fifth place respectively this season. The French youth star will be looking for another podium finish in Alacati to confirm her place in second. Having won their first races in Aruba, Fanny Aubet (JP / NeilPryde) and Lena Erdil (Patrik / Loft / AL360), are likely to be extremely fired for the racing in Alacati and ready to win their next races. Expect to see Erdil blitzing her way around the racecourse as she takes advantage of her local knowledge.

Cagla Kubat (Starboard / North) currently holds fifth place, Kubat will be looking to work her way onto the podium and she will be keen to impress in front of their home audience. Watch out for Kubat's perfectly timed starts and stunning gybes.

With two second place finishes in the bag, former world champion Karin Jaggi (Patrik / Severne) will be looking to reinstate her position at the top in Turkey, as will Korea’s winner, Valerie Arrighetti (Tabou / Gaastra / Mystic).

Keep your eyes peeled from the 8th-13th August as the 2011 Pegasus Airlines PWA world cup promised blistering speed from the world’s slalom elite, alongside incredible parties and beachside entertainment from the events sponsors. Registration will take place 10am-12pm on Monday 8th with the skippers’ meeting kicking off at 1pm and the first possible start to racing at PWA World Tour website