Today the Windsurfing Euro-Cup Silvaplana started with the discipline Racing. After a whole day of waiting the southern wind suddenly kicked in and allowed two spectacular races in front of the eyes of the spectators on the tribunes. After the first day Ross Williams (GBR-83, Tabou, Gaastra) is leading in front of Kuba Guzdek (POL-13, Starboard, Naish Sails) and Arnon Dagan (ISR-1, Fanatic, Neil Pryde).
The first race was started in 14 to 18 knots. Ross Williams had an excellent start and was leading the fleet after the first lap. But the Polish hotshot Kuba Guzdek sailed a brilliant second upwind, which enabled him to pass his opponent. He even extended the lead on the second downwind and won with a huge lead. Ross Williams achieved a second place followed by Gonzalo Costa Hoevel (ARG-3, F2, Neil Pryde) and Arnon Dagan. The Dutch youngster Dorianvan Rijsselberge (NED-8, JP, Neil Pryde) made the heads of the experts turn with his first international top five finish.
The second race was started directly in the following as the conditions remained stable. This time Ross Williams was able to take the triumph after a perfect race. Arnon Dagan from Israel was on his heals confirming his strong performance with a second place while Kuba Guzdek, the winner of race one scored a third. Dorian van Rijsselberge achieved a great fourth place with Gonzalo Costa Hoevel on his heals. After this race the wind started to get unstable and additionally it was already quite late so that the race committee decided to finish the competition for today.
After the first day and two races done Ross Williams is leading the Windsurfing Euro-Cup with 2.70 points. On the second place, only 1 points behind follows Kuba Guzdek with 3.70 points. Arnon Dagan completes the top three with 6.00 points in front of Gonzalo Costa Hoevel (8.00 points) and Dorian van Rijsselberge (9.00 points).
Tomorrow the skippers meeting is scheduled for 11:00 with the first possible start at 12:00. The forecasts predict better weather and wind so that we hope to see more spectacular windsurfing action on the Lake Silvaplana. 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.
