A perfect kick off and Polish domination at the EC Malcesine

Windsurfing Euro-Cup Malcesine/Lake Garda (Italy)

Daily Report: Day#1 (26th April 2003)

A perfect kick off and Polish domination at the EC Malcesine

Malcesine / Lake Garda (Italy), 26 April 2003. Today the second Windsurfing Euro Cup of this season started in Malcesine at Lake Garda in Italy. A total of 125 competitors (108 men and 17 women) are registered and transform this event into one of the biggest Windsurfing Euro-Cups and Formula Windsurfing events of all times.

The famous Ora wind didn’t disappoint the numerous competitors and ensured a perfect start for the regatta. The nice southern breeze picked up around 12:00 and provided perfect conditions for four spectacular races for each of the two fleets: men and women.

The first race took place in wind speeds of 13 to 15 knots. The women were the first to start and the Polish World Champion Dorota Staszewska (POL-1, Starboard, Gaastra) managed to dominate right from the start. But the Italian locals were excited to see their local Verena Fauster (ITA-31, Starboard, Gaastra) on the second place followed by Christine Becker (GER-215, G-Sailboard, Gun Sails). In the mens fleet the Polish power man Wojtek Brzozowski (POL-10, Starboard, Neil Pryde managed to win with the same dominating force. He was followed by Pieter Bijl (NED-0, Fanatic, Neil Pryde) and his Fanatic Team mate Steve Allen (AUS-0, Fanatic, Neil Pryde).

The second race was started back to back but the wind accelerated to 17 knots. Again the Polish beauty Dorota was able to win the women fleet. Verena Fauster established herself as the major opponent of her and this time she had Geraldine Jambert (FRA-115, Starboard, Gun Sails) on her heals on the third position. In the same manner Dorota dominated the women’s fleet Wojtek seemed to be able to control his opponents. He won the second race in front of the Argentinian hotshot Gonzalo Costa Hoevel (ARG-3, Starboard, Neil Pryde) and US windsurfing star Micah Buzianis (USA-34, Mistral, North Sails).

Without a break the racers were sent into the third race that brought also the strongest wind with maximums of 19 knots. Dorota confirmed the Polish domination with another clear victory. Also no news on the second place with Verena. So the fight in the womens fleet seems to concentrate on position three. This time Christine Becker was able to win this place. Wojtek followed Dorotas example again and dominated the third race in a row. On his heals he had the French windsurfing legend Patrice Belbeoch (FRA-81, Exocet, Aerotech) and the Australian Fanatic rider Steve Allen.

After the third race the competitors were sent ashore for a break of 30 minutes to give them a chance to relax a little bit. During the break the wind started to slow down. So the last race was sailed in wind speeds between 10 and 14 knots. Dorota was able to keep her level and ensured to win all four races of today. Verena got again second and Christine found herself again on the third place. In this race the Polish domination was broken: Under the enthusiastic screams of the Italian spectators the local hero Andrea Cucchi (ITA-1, Starboard, Neil Pryde) really killed this race and won with a far lead. On the second place followed Steve Allen (AUS-0, Fanatic, Neil Pryde) in front of his Fanatic team mate Arnon Dagan (ISR-1, Fanatic, Neil Pryde).

After the first day and four races with one discard the EC Malcesine is dominated by the two Polish competitors Dorota Staszewska (POL-1, Starboard, Gaastra) and Wojtek Brzozowski (POL-10, Starboard, Neil Pryde): Dorota was able to win all four races of the day and has a save lead with 2,25 points in front of Verena who scored four second places resulting in 6 points. The German Christine Becker (GER-215, G-Sailboards, Gun Sails) managed conquer the third position after today with 9 points.

In the men’s fleet Wojtek Brozowski has almost the same clear lead. With three first places he can discard the bad result in the last race and has a total of 2,25 points. On the second place follows Steve Allen (AUS-0, Fanatic, Neil Pryde) with 8 points in front of the Italian local Andrea Cucci (ITA-1, Starboard, Neil Pryde) with 10,75 points.

The Windsurfing Euro-Cup Malcesine / Lake Garda (Italy) will last until Wednesday, 30th of May.

You can find more information and follow the competition online on the official Website of the Windsurfing Euro-Cup www.euro-cup.org and on the FW Class Website www.formulawindsurfing.org .