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

Saturday July 1, 2006

Day Five Summary

Antoine Albeau (F-192 Starboard / NeilPryde) takes the 2006 PWA Super-X World title after a nail biting winning finish here in Costa Teguise, Lanzarote. Only the second name to be etched into the trophy since it’s inception in 2004, Albeau won the ninth and final race here to seal a famous victory. Daida Moreno (E-64, Mistral/ North Sails) eventually wrestles the title away from last years winner Karin Jaggi (Z-14, F2/ North Sails).

As the clock ticked today, it became increasingly unlikely Matt Pritchard (US-10 Tabou / Gaastra) would claim a third consecutive world title. Third placed Matt needed nothing short of disaster striking for both event leader Antoine Albeau (and brother Kevin Pritchard (US-10 Starboard / Maui Sails). With a maximum of four races to complete before the end of play, it looked increasingly likely there’d be two new world champions crowned tonight. During the day, Daida Moreno clung on to control, whilst reigning Super-X champion Karin Jaggi in second place and sister Iballa Moreno (E-63, Mistral/ North Sails) did all they could to catch up.

Skippers meeting was held at 09.30 and sailors placed on quarterly hour standby as moderate trades were forecast to show early, and then to lighten. Around 13.00 the wind became suitable and Race Director Aragon sent the competitors out to start Race 8.

Race 8 Everyone who was expected to progress from heat one, did and the spotlight turned to heat two from where Albeau and Kevin Pritchard desperately needed to advance. Almost flawless sailing by both Albeau, and Pritchard saw them finish first and second respectively, with Cyril Moussilmani (F-71, Fanatic/ North Sails) in third. Kevin Mevissen (H-79, JP/ Neil Pryde) was unlucky not to qualify by blowing his forward loop.

The final predictably involved Kevin Pritchard and Albeau gaining flying starts, but Peter Volwater (H-24 F2 / North Sails) clawed into second place by the first duck gybe, whilst Nik Baker (K-66, Mistral/ North Sails) crashed on jump one. It was Albeau, Volwater and Matt Pritchard all in front of Kevin on the second reach, but Kevin dropped his spock, and Matt caught Volwater before rounding mark two in second. Matt Pritchard and Albeau both fell on their second spocks, but Matt got back on his feet first, Albeau covered well and re-gained the lead to take the win. Matt took second ahead of Kevin in third.

There was a general recall on starting the women’s eighth race. At the second attempt Daida Moreno, with an event lead to protect, ensured she made a no risk clean air start well away from the pack. Junko Nagoshi (J-11 F2 / Simmer) led to mark one as Karin Jaggi crashed the first jump. Daida then took Nagoshi during the first duck gybe and extended her lead on the second reach. Jaggi had progressed no further than 4th by reaching the third mark, and so it finished Daida Moreno first, Nagoshi second and Astrid Muldoon ( F-002 JP/ NeilPryde) third.

With Albeau and Moreno still leading the event, Race 9 was called to start straight away.

Race 9 Heat one of Race 9 was nerve-wracking for Kevin Pritchard, as he scraped through to qualify for the final by the skin of his teeth in fifth position. Heat two was then cancelled due to large patches of light winds before the women’s Race 9 was held.

Astrid Muldoon sped off the start line first pursued by Karin Jaggi, but Iballa Moreno crashed on Jump one with Daida Moreno trailing. Muldoon didn’t make her forward loop allowing Jaggi the lead towards the second mark. Jaggi kept in front around the third duck gybe ahead of Muldoon, and a fast approaching Daida Moreno. Jaggi, stayed cool, jumping the final obstacle cleanly and won followed by Muldoon for a well deserved second and Daida Moreno settling for third position.

Heat 2 was unable to be re-sailed at this point and the Z flag was raised sending the sailors to the beach for lunch and to remain on standby. At 16.45 the wind reached a suitable level to start again. First up was the re-sail of heat two cancelled earlier, which Albeau, looking menacing won easily.

Albeau’s luck was consolidated when Kevin Pritchard was disqualified for being over the line early, guaranteeing Albeau his world title. The re-sail was exciting regardless when a lightning fast Matt Pritchard raced to beat Albeau over the first jump, as Nik Baker and Peter Volwater snatched second and third place around the first duck gybe. Albeau’s slow spock cost him more distance whilst Pritchard extended his impressive lead and won. Volwater looked certain of second until he fell on the final jump letting Taty Frans (NB-9, Starboard / MauiSails) come through for second whilst Volwater recovered for third. Albeau came in sixth but it did not affect his event ranking and 2006 title victory.

Daida Moreno and Antoine Albeau take the Super-X World Titiles for the first times in their career histories after a week of exceptional racing here in Costa Teguise. The PWA World Tour now heads to Gran Canaria for more explosive action in wavesailing, Slalom 42 and Freestyle. The action starts on July 7th so be sure to tune in here for daily live updates.

The 2006 PWA Costa Teguise Super-X World Men’s Results
The 2006 PWA Costa Teguise Super-X World Women’s Results
Men’s Elimination 1
Men’s Elimination 2
Men’s Elimination 3
Men’s Elimination 4
Men’s Elimination 5
Men’s Elimination 6
Men’s Elimination 7
Men’s Elimination 8
Men’s Elimination 9
2006 Men’s Overall Results
2006 Women’s Overall Results