Windsurfing Euro-Cup Porto Santo/Madeira (Portugal)

Final Report

Kevin Pritchard wins the EC Porto Santo/Madeira

Porto Santo/Madeira (Portugal), 06 April 2003. After four days the first Windsurfing
Euro-Cup of the season finally comes to an end. At 14:30 the race committee
raised “AP” over “A” and closed the regatta.

The competitors experienced great days on the island. Two days were dominated
by hard racings in the Bay of Porto Santo in front of the Hotel Vila Baleira
which served as base for the event. The other days gave the competitors a chance
to relax and to explore the beauty of the island. A total of seven races was
sailed which gave the racers a chance to discard their two worst results.

FW World Champion Kevin Pritchard (US-3, Starboard, Gaastra) was finally able
to win the regatta. The US American lead the competition right from the first
race and managed to win four out of seven races. He also scored one third and
one fifth place and could even afford the brake of his fin in the final race
without loosing his first position. So he ensured his victory with a total of
5,8 points.

On the second place followed the light wind expert Arnon Dagan (ISR-1, Fanatic,
Neil Pryde). After an average start he got stronger and stronger and was finally
able to win two races. The Israeli added three third places, a fourth and a
fifth to ensure a safe second place in the ranking with 7,4 points.

On the fourth place followed Steve Allen (AUS-0, Fanatic, Neil Pryde). The
Australian didn’t win a race but presented a very consistent performance
with three second places, two thirds and two fourth. This summed up to 12,0
points which ensured his third Place in Porto Santo.

Position four was won by Ramses Landman (NED-72, F2, Neil Pryde). The Dutch
Racer was able to win one race. With 16,7 points he was ahead of Ben van der
Steen (NED-57, Fanatic, Neil Pryde) who accumulated 22,0 points.

In the Manufacturers Ranking (Boards) Fanatic was able to enjoy the outcome
of their great efforts and investments into the Racing. With a total of 353
points won by Arnon Dagan, Steve Allen and Ben van der Steen they dominated
the ranking in front of Starboard who won 349 points. 50 percent of the competitors
were using Starboard. But it was obvious that the brand was missing some of
their top Racers although Kevin Pritchard scored maximum points and Joao Rodrigues
and Brian Rögild presented a good performance. On the third place followed
F2 who celebrates the return in the top brands in competitive racing.

The Manufacturers Ranking (Sails) was dominated by Neil Pryde with a total
of 354 points won by Arnon Dagan, Steve Allen and Ramses Landman. On the second
place followed Gaastra with 349 points (Kevin Pritchard, Brian Roegild, Brono
Bertholo). The third position was won by YES Sails.

The Windsurfing Euro-Cup Porto Santo/Madeira (Portugal) was a perfect starter
into the EC season 2003. The competitors had a lot of fun an presented a spectacular
show for the media and the spectators. Thousands of people followed the competition
online. Mostly over the official EC Website www.euro-cup.org and the FW Class
Website www.formulawindsurfing.org. But many other pages covered the event additionally.
The national press has been enthusiastic and several international Magazines
will report over the Euro-Cup event in Porto Santo.

The next stop of the Windsurfing Euro-Cup will be in Malcesine/Lake Garda (Italy).
From 26th to 30th of April the best Windsurfers of the World will fight again
for prize money and ranking points in the most important competition series
in the racing scene.

You can find detailed information, reports, pictures, and the results on the
official Windsurfing Euro-Cup Website www.euro-cup.org .