The 2006 PWA Costa Teguise Super-X World Cup Day Four

Friday June 30, 2006

Day Four Summary

Antoine Albeau (F-192 Starboard / Neil Pryde Sails) re-gains his lead over Super-X tour leader Kevin Pritchard (US-3 Starboard / Maui Sails). With a maximum of four races to complete before the end of play tomorrow, it’s likely we will see two new world champions crowned. Time has virtually run out for current World Champion Matt Pritchard (US-10 Tabou / Gaastra) to seize a third consecutive title. Daida Moreno (E-64, Mistral/ North Sails) holds her lead despite sister Iballa Moreno (E-63, Mistral/ North Sails) winning race 7, and huge pressure from 2005 Champion Karin Jaggi (Z-14, F2/ North Sails).

At Skippers, Juan Antonio Aragon presented his course details. 5 downwind reaches, slightly shorter than yesterdays, with 3 inflatable jumps, two spocks, and one forward loop as the compulsory moves.

At 12.45 there was enough wind to give racing a try. First up were the men. Heats one and two of Race 7 were cancelled as gusty winds made it impossible to complete the course fairly. The next possible start was set at 13.15 and super light wind and sweltering temperatures meant the competitors waited on half hour standby until around 16.00 when the trades kicked in and competition started.

Race 7

Heat one was re-called after an over-eager Ross Williams (GBR-83, Tabou / Gaastra) was cited for being over the line early and disqualified. Matt Pritchard won easily with good performances by Kevin Mevissen (H-79, JP/ NeilPryde) in second, and Robby Swift (K-89, JP/ NeilPryde) in third. All the usual suspects advanced from heat two.

Ross Williams made up for his earlier mistake with a textbook start to the losers final. John Skye (K-57, F2 / North Sails) hustled well to gain the lead, but fell at the second duck gybe where a pile-up slowed the fleet. Skye recovered well to win and steady trickery from Nicholas Akgazciyan (F400 Neil Pryde Sails) won him second place ahead of Phil Horrocks (K-303, JP/ NeilPryde).

The ladies start involved Iballa Moreno leading before Karin Jaggi picked her off by mark one. Behind there was carnage as the rest of the women were tangled up on jump one. Another smooth forward from Jaggi got her underway and ahead of the pack and into what looked like a certain victory. The cut and thrust world of Super-X racing can be ultra harsh, as Jaggi found out, crashing badly on the third and last jump. Iballa overtook and won the race with Daida Moreno capitalizing to get second and Astrid Muldoon (F-002 JP / NeilPryde) third.

The gun for Men’s Race 7 final fired as Frenchmen Cyril Moussilmani (F-71, Fanatic/ North Sails) and Antoine Albeau crossed perfectly. Albeau led to mark one with Moussilmani chasing towards mark two. Meanwhile, Matt Pritchard was repeating his form of yesterday by starting last, before taking six places at the first duck gybe! At the same mark, Kevin Pritchard shunted Nik Baker (K-66, Mistral/ North Sails) putting them both out of the game.

Albeau held his own until mark three, pursued by Moussilmani and Peter Volwater (H-24 F2 / North Sails) in third. The top three’s forward loops were all cleanly executed, but steady sailing from Taty Frans (NB-9, Starboard/ MauiSails) saw him past Moussilmani and Volwater to round mark four in second place. Albeau meanwhile had made certain of his victory, winning by a large margin. Caribbean freestyle master Frans, celebrated his second place by busting out a one handed spock on the final reach, and Volwater rolled home in third.

Albeau commands the event lead with Kevin Pritchard sitting in second above brother Matt. All eyes will be on Kevin Pritchard and Albeau tomorrow, and whether Daida Moreno can hold off Karin Jaggi’s title defence. With a potential four more races, the scene is set for a classic showdown finish to this event, and the 2006 Super-X series. Check back tomorrow for the latest news on the last day of competition.

Men’s Elimination 8

Men’s Elimination 7

Men’s Elimination 6

Men’s Elimination 5

Men’s Elimination 4

Men’s Elimination 3

Men’s Elimination 2

Men’s Elimination 1

Men’s Results

Ladies Results