IFCA European Slalom Championships 2005
from June 22nd to 26th in Alaçatý, Çeþme (Turkey)
at the Surf’n Sound Sport and Music Festival
Alaçatý, June 22nd 2005. The IFCA European Slalom Championships 2005 will kick off in Alaçatý, Çeþme (Turkey). The windsurfing regatta is one of the highlights of the SURF’N SOUND SPORT and MUSIC FESTIVAL which is Turkey’s most wide ranged sport and music festival. The event is the third tour stop of the Windsurfing Euro-Cup 2005, the premier racing and slalom series in the world. After two events with only racing (Formula Windsurfing) this is the first chance to score in the discipline slalom. Additionally EUR 15.000,00 prize money are waiting for the competitors.
Today is the inscription day for the regatta. Some of the best slalom racers have made their way to Alaçatý. They will be challenged by the Turkish riders who just finished their national championships here in Alaçatý. Among the pre registered competitors you can find big names lake the fastest windsurfer on earth, Finian Maynard (KV-11, F2, Naish Sails). The current Speed World Record holder is hungry to show that he is not only one of the fastest on the straight line but also able to dominate around the jibing marks. He will be challenged by the Italian Champion Andrea Cucchi (ITA-1, Starboard, Neil Pryde) and the high wind expert Ben van der Steen (NED-57, Exocet, Neil Pryde) from the Netherlands. Also hot is the British slalom expert Dan Ellis (GBR-52, Fanatic, North Sails).
From the locals Ertogrul Icingir (TUR-1, F2, North Sails) is the favourite in front of Ali Palamutcu (TUR-3, F2 North Sails) and Melih Apaydin (TUR-19, Fanatic, Gaastra). In the women’s fleet the Formula Windsurfing Vice World Champion and winner of the last event in Rhodes, Allison Shreeve (AUS-911, F2, Neil Pryde) from Australia will meet the new European Formula Windsurfing Champion Lucy Horwood (GBR-95, Fanatic, North Sails) and the Turkish Champion Cagla Kubat (TUR-75, Fanatic, Gaastra).
Alaçatý is one of the Worlds best venues for slalom competitions with steady side shore wind over 15 knots. So the competitors can enjoy great windsurfing conditions on the water. But also besides the competition itself everything is well prepared that they will never forget their stay in Turkey. The alternative program with Dragonboat races, Kiteboarding, Motocross, Bungee Jumping and BMX-Skate shows will ensure a non-stop entertainment. Not to forget the incredible party program with Alan Parsons Live Project and Manga concerts which make the SURF’N SOUND SPORTS and MUSIC FESTIVAL unique. Of course all participants of the IFCA European Slalom Championships have free entry to all events.
Tomorrow the Skippers Meeting is planned for 11:00 with the first possible start at 12:00. The IFCA European Slalom Championships 2005 will last until Sunday, June 26th. The closing ceremony with prize giving will take place on Sunday evening.
The official website of the event with more information is www.surfnsound.org. The IFCA European Slalom Championships 2005 are covered on www.euro-cup.org, and www.internationalwindsurfing.com. Besides the reports and the results you will also find a live ticker on www.euro-cup.org. So check out the internet!
————————————————————-
Sponsors and Supporters:
Hosted by: Governer of Çeşme, Alaçatı Beach Club,Municipality of Alacati Municipality of Çeşme
Organized by: Sportworks Group,Turkish Sailing Federation
Main Sponsor: JIM BEAM
Sponsors: POWER FM, NTV, QUIKSILVER, OAKLEY, PEPSİ, ARÇELİK, ALTINYUNUS HOTEL
Supporters: Alaçatı Beach Club,Sole Mare
————————————————————-
Comments:
About SURF’N SOUND FESTIVAL SportWorks Group Administrators Mr.Kemal Merkit, Mr. Kutlu Torunlar and Mr. Kerem Mutlu indicate: “Such a wideranged festival that combines sports and music is organised for the first time in Turkey. Combining our organisational capability with Turkey’s and Alacati’s natural beauties we believed in organising a faboluous festival and started preparations. Alacati, Cesme has an environment appropriate for us to present both sports and music events. Another aim is to declare Alacati as one of the best surfing tracks on the world and support tourism. Thus our sportsmen can easily be placed in an international organisation. We believe that this year there will be about 25.000 participants, next years the number will increase and make Surf’n Sound Europe’s number one festival.”
JIM BEAM Brand Manager Argun Palabýyýk’s comments on Surf’N Sound is: ”We’re proud of being the joint main sponsor, as world’s best burbon brand JIM BEAM, of such a wide ranged organisation Surf’N Sound. We’ll be enriching our support on various alternative sport branches and carrying out to differantiated platforms through motocross challenges, intense music programmes and especially JIM BEAM 2005 Windsurfing European Slalom Championship.”
