IWT Paros Wind Odyssey - Fifth and final day
by IWT 16 Jul 2018 07:29 PDT
11-15 July 2018
IWT Paros Wind Odyssey - Fifth and final day © Si Crowther / IWT
The fifth and final day of the IWT Paros Wind Odyssey welcomed a fleet of happy yet exhausted competitors. The 9:30am skippers meeting called for a holding period as wind shifted in speeds ranging from 9-13 knots until deemed strong enough to hold two eliminations back to back beginning with a 12:30p first start.
The day was filled with upsets including several protests and crashes. Vasileios Kretsis mast broke midway through a race and Zois Theocharis unfortunately broke a foot strap midway through a race. It was clear riders were being pushed to their maximum after many elimination rounds.
Following mid day break, top four leading competitors pushed the start resulting in several riders crossing the start line early including Dimitris Lentzos, Zois Theocharis, and Konstantinos Papandrikopoulos.
The mood was tense as the last race began with top four riders in a tight race when suddenly Alkis Vovos and Zois Theocharis crashed together on buoy number two loosing their lead. Philip Adamidis took advantage of the situation, blasting across the finish line followed by Konstantinos Papandrikopoulos in second.
While young gun Alkis Vovos securely held his first place ranking, second, third and fourth places remained tight, fighting head to head throughout the four race days for their chance to join the podium. The end result pushed Philip Adamidis ahead of Zois Theocharis with Konstantinos Papandrikopoulos not far behind. Best 13 scores of 16 eliminations counted toward the overall ranking of the event.
Local organizer and owner of Sun Wind Resort, Theo Fisilanis decided to organize the IWT Paros Wind Odyssey because he wanted to showcase his home island to the windsurfing world and provide a platform all windsurfers to participate in an International event, while at the same time creating prosperity for the local community.
A highlight for Fisilanis was deciding to join the race himself despite a 15 year hiatus from competing. Theo is passionate about windsurfing and being a part of the game without fighting for a first place finish.
Fisilanis along with other local organizers and sponsors are very happy with the outcome of the event with four straight days of 15-25 knots wind completing 16 full elimination rounds. Fisilanis' goal for next year is to grow the fleet even larger with more international riders. He welcomes any windsurfers to Paros and experience the Greek dream.
Video from Final Day by Kevin Pritchard
Final Day of the Paros Wind Odyssey from International Windsurfing Tour on Vimeo.
Final Top Results: 16 eliminations complete
Top 3 Men:
1. Alkis Vovos
2. Philip Adamidis
3. Zois Theocharis
Top 3 Women:
1. Sofia Koukouzeli
2. Sam Bittner Wilson
3. Theodora Georgiopoulou
View full results from all 13 eliminations