This year, the event took place in Kuivizi beach, near city Salacgriva(90 km from Riga). Kuivizi is a small fisherman village on the way from Latvia to Estonia(or other way around), only 9 km from the its border. The newly built Kapteinu Osta camping with restaurant and marina with yacht-club was mainly occupied by windsurfers during the weekend. Latvia in total has more than 550 km of coast line. Some spots and sandy beaches still undiscovered for windsurfing and sailing. Having event in Kuivizi, it was first big windsurfing event in northern part of Latvia ever.

In total there were 72 competitors from 4 countries(Estonia, Lithuania, Belgium and Latvia). 52 Formula and 20 Raceboards and Bic Techno windsurfers.

Day 1, Saturday, the racing day started with 3 races for Raceboard fleet, because wind was only 4 – 6 knots from NW. Even thought the forecast was promising for two racing days the wind showed up enough for Formula races only at 7 PM. In total 3 races were completed in first day. The last race was completed just before 9 PM!

Race nr. 1. 15 – 19 knots of wind from NW. Sailors were sent out as soon as wind picked up. Just before start wind picked up up to 19 knots. Because of short notice, some competitors could not choose the right sail size, but most were either on 12 m or 11 m sails. Other challenge was to avoid sailing trought fishermans nets and stones near the beach. Most of guys were lucky, but some will need to repair they boards, Z fins and Kashy’s later.

The race at first mark was lead by Martin Ervin(Neil Pryde/Starboard), followed by Ansis Dale(Neil Pryde/JP) and Janis Preiss(Gaastra/Gaastra). In second upwind, after leading in 2 nd mark, Preiss went to left side and lost his position to others. His mast extension broke later during the race. First race was won by Ervin, followed by Dale and Urmas Niine(Gaastra/Gaastra).

The finish line was down from starting line, between the pear and the buoy. It was great for spectators, but at the same time challenging and tactical for competitors. For some, the position in finish was decided few meters before the finish line. Total time in race was approx. 15 minutes for a leaders, so the course was quite short.

Race nr. 2. Wind the same direction, 14 – 15 knots. Learning the experience from previous race and importance of good start, the race was about to begin with two main fleets; starboard and port tack approaching the line near starting mark. Few lucky ones on the left tack and some on right took the lead in race. The others were late to start during crashes and catapults. Neverheless, Preiss had a good start on right tack and was leading already from first mark. In the finish he was followed by Ervin and Toomas Molder(Gaastra/Gaastra) in third position.

Race nr. 3. Wind conditions were the same as in race 2. Since the cource was quite short having good start and only one tack during upwind was a definately advantage amongst others, especially ones who started on starboard. Having good but risky start with left tack race was lead by Ervin, Molder and Preiss and followed by Erno Kaasik(Neil Pryde/JP), Niine and Dale. In the same sequence they approached a finish line.

After three good races and valid event the day was called off, because wind forecast looked good for Sunday. Finally, competitors could take a rest, have sauna, beer, chat with friends and relax.

Day 2, Sunday. The morning came with sun, warm weather, but light wind for Formula and absolutely different wind strength than promised by Windguru, Windfinder and other weather forecast websites. The race officer Janis Jekabsons, who wek before successfully organized Raceboard World Championship in Liepaja, managed to complete two races for Raceboards and Bic Techno classes only, but not for Formula. Therefore, the competition was finished with three races at 4 PM and award ceremony could start right after.

Event sponsors. Many thanks to event sponsors without whom the event would not be successful : Neil Pryde, Jacobs Creek(Pernod Ricard), TAD, Sports, Parsportu.lv, Kuivizu Osta.

The event results are the following :

Formula Men (full results :

1. Martin Ervin – Estonia(Neil Pryde/Starboard).

2. Toomas Molder – Estonia(Gaastra/Gaastra).

3. Janis Preiss – Latvia(Gaastra/Gaastra).

4. Erno Kaasik – Estonia(Neil Pryde/JP).

5. Ansis Dale – Latvia(Neil Pryde/JP).

6. Henri Kaar – Estonia(Neil Pryde/Starboard).

The top 3 places after two Baltic Cup events(Lithuania and Latvia are the following) :

1. Martin Ervin – Estonia(Neil Pryde/Starboard) – 17 points.

2. Janis Preiss – Latvia(Gaastra/Gaastra) – 22 points.

3. Erno Kaasik –Estonia(Neil Pryde/JP) – 44 points.

The 2010 format for overall winner is that all races(after discards) in all events counts together, means every race in every event is very important. In Baltic Cup 2010 case, the Ervin is taking the lead, followed by Preiss, who won the Lithuanian event and Kaasik in third position. Means everything can happen in last and final event in Tallinn, Estonia in August 20 – 22. Get ready!

Other event results :

Formula Masters.

1. Martin Ervin(Estonia).

2. Thomas Molder(Estonia).

3. Erno Kaasik(Estonia).

Formula Grand Masters.

1.Martins Grobins(Latvia).

Formula Women.

1.Marta – Luize Avercenko(Latvia).

Formula U 17.

1.Rytis Jasiunas(Lithuania).

2.Roland Mik(Estonia).

3.Petter Kask(Estonia).

Formula U 15.

1.John Kaju(Estonia).

2.Andrius Sliubrys(Lithuania).

3.Erno Kaask(Estonia).

Raceboard.

1.Buren Bernard(Belgium).

2.Vita Matise(Latvia).

3.Gunars Rozenbergs(Latvia).

Bic Techno U 15.

1. Kristians Krauklis(Latvia).

2. Miks Upmalis(Latvia).

3. Markus Baumgards(Latvia).

Bic Techno U – 17.

1.Ronalds Kaups(Latvia).

2.Kristaps Keidans(Latvia).

3.Roberts Blums(Latvia).

More pictures : http://picasaweb.google.com/Johkaj/FormulaLatvia10#