The second day of the FormulaWindsurfing Grand Prix in Ialisos / Rhodes (Greece) provided again perfect conditions for the Formula Racers. Sideshore wind of 20 knots, temperatures of 30 degrees, perfect sunshine and the beautiful beach of Ialisos beach provided a perfect arena for the best windsurfers of the World. The race director Bruno de Wannemaker set up an even more spectacular course then the days before. The competitors had to pass a gate between a mark only twenty meters from the beach and a flagpole on the beach. So the spectators on the beach could almost touch the competitors when they passed the gate after the first round and for the finish.
Four races were sailed and the French Vice-Worldchampion Antoine Albeau (F-192, AHD, Neil Pryde) totally dominated the day with four victories in four races. His biggest opponent Wojtek Brzozowski (POL-10, Starboard, Neil Pryde) from Poland was unlucky and had two over earlies. One in the first race and one in the final race. In the other two races he scored two seconds. Steve Allen (AUS-0, Fanatic) from Australia showed again very strong racing with two seconds, one 5th place and a 12th place.
But this was also the day of the big crashes! Sam Ireland (KC-1, Starboard, North Sails) broke two masts, Philip Horn (G-10, BIC, Gaastra) had one crash damaging his board and broke a boom in another race. Not to mention the numerous competitors who broke one mast or boom. But the most unlucky competitor today was Cyril Moussilmani (F-71, AHD, Simmer) from France. He broke not only two masts but also had a collision with a hobby windsurfer entering the race course. So he was only able to finish one of the four races today!
After seven races the competitors can discard their two worst results. Antoine Albeau is leading with 3,5 points in front of Wojtek Brzozowski (8,7 points). Steve Allen (15,0 points) is still on the third position.
Ioanis-Markos Fantis (GRE-7, Starboard, Neil Pryde) is the best Greece competitor on place 18 (83 points) followed by Zois Theocharis (GRE-100, place 25, 96 points) and Haris Dimopoulos (GRE-123, place 26, 108 points).
We are expecting good racing conditions again for tomorrow. The first start is scheduled for 12:30 and it is the intention of the race director to run three races. The maximum number of races is 15 so the results can change in the next days. The Formula Windsurfing Grand Prix Ialisos/Rhodes will continue until Saturday, June 15th
