A tough day on the water today for the pros in Gwithian. The first heats were started mid afternoon in lightish starboard tack winds and relatively small waves. All the pros were on their biggest gear, 5.7 – 5.3s and 85+ litre boards, and planing on and off. As the competition went through the winds increased slightly, but the 15minute heats with 2 minute transitions and 2 waves to count were stuck to throughout most heats.
Though not perfect conditions, the top sailors still shone through and proved why they are at the top. Full heat by heat analysis can be seen at the bottom of this post, (Boards will be following all the action over the weekend in the same way so stay tuned!) but it was James Cox, Ben Proffitt, Jamie Hancock and Andy Chambers that made it through to the final. The final was sailed in the fading evening light, it looked tricky to get on the set waves but all sailors were ripping; the result is yet to be announced but we will let you know as soon as it is. Who’s your tip to win?
On route to the final there were many exceptionally close heats; Andy King went out in a marginal decision over Timo Mullen and Phil Horrocks, then Horrocks lost out in an equally close heat with Proffitt and Hancock. On the other side of the draw Sam Neal almost beat Andy Chambers in a very close man on man heat, but Chambers advanced and continued his run of form all the way to the final. This only goes to prove the exceptional level of all the pros and how it really is close at the top!
Registration is currently underway for all amateur fleets so we will be able to fill you in on full entry lists tomorrow morning. The BWA are again expecting a great turn out for all fleets and with the winds looking strong tomorrow morning it should be a quick start for a fleet or two!
As well as our instagram images which you can view here, the hugely talented Simon Crowther is around taking some exceptional shots all weekend which we will share with you as soon as possible, along with Dave White’s gallery of official BWA shots too.
Boards will continue the coverage of the BWA Cornwall Classic over the whole weekend so stay tuned for all the action!
Event plan:
Friday – 8am briefing for pro’s at Sandsifter unless another beach is nominated. Amateur registration from 8pm till 11pm at Sandsifter.
Saturday – 8am registration for all fleets at Sandsifter, amateur registration until 9am. Briefing for all fleets 9am. Monsters ball at Sandsifter from 9pm – Halloween Dress Code! BWA Awards if no forecast for sunday.
Sunday – 9.30am briefing at Sandsifter car park all fleets. 4pm Prize giving unless otherwise stated. BWA Awards.
Check out page two for the intro to the event…
