Things are really heating up in Cadiz, Spain right now. The 2012 RS:X Worlds are set to begin. So we thought we would bring you a bit of an event preview on what is the biggest windsurfing event of 2012, to date, including a round up of Skandia Team GBR…
The biggest news from the event is that Mr Neil Pryde himself has put down $45,000 as prize money. With this at stake, things suddenly become about as competitive as they can get. Not only are we getting ever closer to the 2012 Weymouth Olympics but there is also the matter of psychology and one thing is for certain: any competitor that can perform in Cadiz will certainly be heading to Weymouth with a huge confidence boost, and rightly so.
Just days away from the first race, the competitors will start to feel the strain as three to four practice races are going off everyday with more than 100 boards at each start. Above all though perhaps UK sailor Nick Dempsey will be feeling even more pressure than others. With a new member added to the family just a week ago it will no doubt have affected his training routine and preparation for the event. His focus will have to be strong though as he heads into one of the biggest regattas of his career.
FRESH-FACES READY FOR BATTLE
Meanwhile other hot Skandia Team GBR talent comes from the likes of Elliot Carney who really gave Dempsey a run for his money in December at the Perth RS:X Worlds, finishing just one place behind him. On top of this we have the likes of Sam Sills, Connor Bainbridge and Tom Squires, all keen to impress and with past results anyone of them could break ranks and push for the top spots.
GIRLS IN FOCUS
On the female side, Bryony will also no doubt be setting her sights on only one position, first place. This becomes even more evident when you realise that she has had months of practice in Cadiz already. To gain the psychological advantages of winning here, as well as having the home advantage at the Weymouth Games, will certainly put her in a strong position for that goal of all goals, an Olympic Gold medal. However, like with the mens fleet, the female Brits will also be fighting hard and sister to Elliot, Claudia Carney, as well as Izzy Hamilton, will be the girls ready to battle when the first gun fires.
MORE ABOUT THE MONEY
With more and more Olympic sports becoming professional, perhaps it is only time for windsurfing to play catch up. Well that it is certainly doing, $45,000 prize money will be up for grabs, all donated generously from Neil Pryde. In fact this is by no means a one off as plans are already underway for more events to receive similar prize pots in 2012. For the athletes this means some certain cash reward but also one small error or one piece of equipment failure could be costly.
Here’s what Neil Pryde had to say about his support:
“I have been amazed and tremendously impressed by the level of dedication that RS:X sailors have shown in their preparation and training for competitions and I felt that in today’s world of professional sport, we should recognise the sacrifice made and open up the possibility for athletes to be rewarded with prize money in their quest for Gold at the London Olympics.”
With $5,000 of the original $50,000 donated by Neil Pryde going to ISAF in accordance with Regulation 25.12.2b, here is how the prize pot will be split. NB. Both the mens and the womens fleet will receive the same prize fund.
1st – US $6,500
2nd – US $4,250
3rd – US $3,150
4th – US $2,250
5th – US $1,750
6th – US $1,250
7th – US $1,150
8th – US $850
9th – US $750
10th – US $600
So if you make the medal races, ‘you’re in the money’.
GET VOCAL
Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below. Should prize money really be available at RS:X events if it is considered an Olympic sport, who do you think will take the top spot and should slalom be the Olympic windsurfing discipline?
