Windsurfing Euro-Cup Annual Ranking 2006


The Windsurfing Office presents the annual ranking lists for the Windsurfing Euro-Cup 2006. A total of 6 results were achieved this season – three racing events and three slalom regattas. The number of different participants increased from 181 in the season 2005 to 197 in the discipline Racing and from 40 to impressive 152 in Slalom reflecting the current dynamic in this discipline. But not only the number of participants in the Windsurfing Euro-Cup was impressive also the level of performance was great as practically all top windsurfers participated in the series to confirm the Windsurfing Euro-Cup as one of the most interesting competition formats. Especially as it is the only series that features both disciplines Racing and Slalom.

The Final Rankings couldn’t be more spectacular with head to head fights for the victory in both disciplines: In the tie the current Speed World Record holder Finian Maynard (KV-11, F2, Neil Pryde) was able to defeat his mayor opponent the French dominator Antoine Albeau (FRA-192, Starboard, Neil Pryde) to repeat his EC Slalom victory from 2005. In the discipline Racing Ross Williams (GBR-83, Tabou, Gaastra) was tied with Arnon Dagan (ISR-1, Fanatic, Neil Pryde). Only his better score in the discarded race ensured his triumph. The Slalom season kicked off in Leucate (France) with the Mondial du Vent. Antoine Albeau was able to dominate in front of Finian Maynard and Cyril Moussilmani (FRA-71, Fanatic, North Sails). At the second event in Alacati (Turkey) Finian countered with a triumph in front of Albeau and Kevin Pritchard (US-3, Starboard, Maui Sails). In the final event in Silvaplana (Switzerland) Ross Williams won in front of Arnon Dagan and Adriaan van Rijsselberghe (NED-2, JP, Neil Pryde).

In the final ranking list Finian Maynard and Antoine Albeau find themselves head to head on the top, both with 239 points. The better score from the discarded event let Finian Maynard sneak ahead and take the victory. Although being only second Antoine Albeau can celebrate one triumph none the less: As best European competitor he is the new IFCA European Slalom Champion 2006. After a strong season Ross Williams finishes on the third place with 236 points. Arnon Dagan defends the fourth place with 229 points against Ben van der Steen (NED-57, Exocet, Naish Sails) with 228 points.

Five different board manufacturers in the top five reflect the close level of performance among the different brands and the huge interest of them in the Windsurfing Euro-Cup series. F2 can be proud about the victory in front of Starboard, Tabou, Fanatic and Exocet. On the sails side we still see a clear domination of Neil Pryde but Gaastra and Naish Sails also managed to enter the top five.

The Racing season started with the Formula Windsurfing European Championships in Portimao (Portugal). Ross Williams won this event with Wojtek Brzozowski (POL-10, Starboard, Neil Pryde) and Jesper Vesterstrom (DEN-111, Starboard, Neil Pryde) on his heals. At the second event in Leba (Poland) Steve Allen (AUS-0, Tabou, Gaastra) was able to celebrate a triumph in front of Arnon Dagan and Michal Polanowski (POL-16). At the final event in Silvaplana Arnon Dagan took the victory after a great head to head fight with Ross Williams. Gonzalo Costa Hoevel (ARG-3, F2, Neil Pryde) became third.

In the final ranking list we found again the tough fight between Ross Williams and Arnon Dagan: Both riders were tied with a total of 239 points. But Ross benefited from his better score in the discarded event and therefore won the tie. Arnon Dagan can celebrate a great second place. The French hero Antoine Albeau is third with 234 points followed by the Argentinean Gonzalo Costa Hoevel with 202 points. The Polish talent Hubert Mokrzycki (POL-25, Starboard, Gaastra) completes the top five with 229 points.

After years of domination by Starboard we finally see a different brand on the top in EC Racing Ranking: F2 can proudly present a double victory and three of the top-5 are using F2 boards. This is even more surprising as Starboard can still rely on an overwhelming presence on the water. The vast majority of the competitors is using Starboard just like Neil Pryde is dominating the sail segment. Consequently Neil Pryde dominates the ranking in the discipline Racing with three top five positions. Gaastra is the closest opponent while all other brands are far behind. Most brands which failed to achieve top positions with their racers suffered from the absence of those at events which cost them too many ranking points.

Check out the ranking (PDF)

The official website of the series with more information is http://www.euro-cup.org  The events are also covered on
http://www.formulawindsurfing.org and
http://www.internationalwindsurfing.com