The second day of the Windsurfing Euro-Cup Silvaplana brought another two races. The British hotshot Ross Williams (GBR-83, Tabou, Gaastra) won both of them and was therefore able to extend his lead in the result list.
In the first race of the day it seemed as if the Argentinian Gonzalo Costa Hoevel (ARG-3, F2, Neil Pryde) would be able to score his first victory in the regatta. At the first time at the upwind mark and after the first lap he was leading the fleet. But on the second lap Ross Williams was able to pass Gonzalo and defended the lead until the finish. Gonzalo Costa Hoevel defended his second place against Arnon Dagan (ISR-1, Fanatic, Neil Pryde). Keith Atkinson (GBR-56, Starboard, Neil Pryde) was getting better and better and sailed a brilliant race giving him position four with Robert Baldyga (POL-18, Starboard, Naish Sails), the current Formula Windsurfing Youth
World Champion on his heals.
The second race of the day brought a thrilling fight between the so far dominating Ross Williams and the Italian Youngster Alberto Menegatti (ITA-456, F2, North Sails). After the first lap Ross Williams was leading but he had Alberto right on his heals almost feeling the Italians breath on his neck. After a brilliant second upwind Alberto Menegatti was leading the race. But Ross Williams didn¹t give up. In a tremendous fight he was able to pump himself closer and closer and finally attacked the Italian at the second mark from the end. Having the inside position after the jibe the British dominator was able to cover his opponent and dragged away granting him the third victory in the fourth race. Menegatti ensured his second place. The Dutch youngster Adriaan van Rijsselberge (NED-2, JP, Neil Pryde)scored a third place in front of Oliver Bijlman (CRO-7, Starboard, North Sails) from Croatia and Kuba Guzdek (POL-13, Starboard, Naish Sails) from Poland.
After the second day and four races done the competitors have the first discard so that each of them they can throw out his worst result. Ross Williams was able to extend his lead at the Windsurfing Euro-Cup Silvaplana. With three victories he has the optimum of 3.00 points. There is a tough fight for the second place between Kuba Guzdek and Arnon Dagan. Both riders have 9.00 points. But due to his better discard the Polish racer wins the tie and can defend the second place. Arnon Dagan sits on the third position hoping to get more races in in the next days to be able to attack Kuba Guzdek. Gonzalo Costa Hoevel is also strong, only one point behind the top three and raising the pressure even more. The top five are completed by Keith Atkinson who is already a little bit more in the back with 17.00
points.
Tomorrow the skippers meeting is scheduled for 11:00 with the first possible start at 12:00. The forecasts expect more or less the same weather in the two remaining days of the Windsurfing Euro-Cup Silvaplana. So we expect more racing action. But the Engadin has surprised its guests already several times and therefore everything is possible. Hopefully it will even be possible to run the discipline slalom which will finally put the brand new IFCA Slalom World Champion Finian Maynard (KV-11, F2, Neil Pryde) into action. The ENGADINWIND.COM will last until Saturday, August 19th.
