Storm Patricia, which swept in from the Atlantic on Wednesday, brought with it some massive seas and swells that many of the competitors went to watch on the coast not far away from the event site. Once it had moved away to the east it left behind a band of heavy rain, which was what welcomed all the racers on Thursday morning. After a slight delay, the race committee decided to run three more rounds of back-to-back races in a variable 14 – 22 knot wind. The rain gradually died away and some sunny blue sky emerged, putting a smile back on everyone’s face. The relatively flat water and variable (strength and direction) wind once again put a premium on race skills and how best to use those kind of stop-go, yes-no conditions. This tactical side actually seemed to please everyone in the fleets, enabling them to learn new skills from how the better riders handled it all.
U13. No change in the top two places from the first day, and they’ve pulled slightly ahead of the rest. Which means that Italy’s very consistent Alessandro Vigneri and Turkey’s Sarp Sarli are first and second respectively. Behind them it’s incredibly tight between the next three, but for now Turkey’s Parla Kabasakal is a nose in front of Italy’s Francesco Casano in third.
U15 Girls. The top three from day 1 are still in those positions and have pulled ahead of the chasers. With very little to separate them after two days, all three are potential winners of the event. First place, Turkey’s Nehir Çakmak, second Italy’s Gaia Bonezzi, and third from the UK Sophie Clark.
U15 Boys. Greek rider Panagiotis Ioannou has taken charge at the top of the U15 ranking. But behind him it’s all change for the podium spots ! Turkish rider Toprak Kosele has climbed into second place, with Greece’s Anastasios Kyriazakos third. Just a point behind them, Spain’s Hugo Colomar and Czech Republic’s Frantisek Burda are fighting hard for a podium place. Top spot already looks out of reach, but there will be some exciting racing to come for the other podium positions !
U17 Girls. The rankings have been totally scrambled, with three brand new names now occupying the top three spots ! Turkish rider Defne Simay Basdag is the new leader, but on equal points with her compatriot Nurhayat Güven. They are narrowly ahead of the Italian Teresa Medde. The nearest chasers are close behind and this result is still wide open, anything could happen.
U17 Boys. Spain’s Bruno Barbara Tor has consolidated his hold on first place and pulled ahead of Greece’s Minas Koutelas, who himself is closely followed by a new podium contender, Lithuania’s Karl Sören Tamm. But the other podium pretenders are not far behind…
Techno Plus Women. Estonian Liisbeth Orav is still battling it out with Italy’s Angelina Medde and has moved into a narrow lead after two days. Just behind them, France’s Margaux Arnoux has moved quickly up the rankings to take third place ahead of Spain’s Marion Lextray. But everything is far from decided yet in this group.
Techno Plus Men. Greek ace Petros Kontarinis confirmed his domination of this category, racking up two more wins. Which leaves him with a comfortable lead over compatriot Alexandros Kokkinakis, winner of the other race. They are ahead of Italy’s Marco Guida Di Ronza who retains third place, but he’s now being hotly pursued by the fast-rising Frenchie Arthis Espagnon, hunting a podium place.
Remember that Techno Plus means an 8.5 m2 sail and 50cm fin, enabling the bigger riders to super-charge their boards when they move up to this category. It’s a group that is increasing in numbers year-on-year, attracting new riders and tempting back some of the foilboarders looking to get back to the fun of racing closer to the water surface !
On Friday, the race committee is planning to take advantage of the good weather forecast to run a long-distance race round the bay, followed by three more rounds of proper racing.
