FORMULA WINDSURFING GRAND PRIX, PORTIMAO – FINAL RESULTS

Steve Allen dominates the Formula Windsurfing Grand Prix Portimao 2007

+++ Portimao / Kiel, May 5th 2007.

Portimao has experienced a great Formula Windsurfing Grand Prix. With EUR
20.000,00 prize money and ranking points for the Windsurfing Euro-Cup
several of the best racers of the world came to the beach of Alvor. And
neither the competitors nor the spectators and sponsors were disappointed:
The conditions couldn¹t have been better. Perfect reliable side-offshore
wind between 10 and 22 knots transformed Portimao into a Formula Windsurfing
paradise. Not less then 13 races were sailed which ensured a very fair and
high quality result.

As current Formula Windsurfing World Champion Steve Allen (AUS-0, Tabou,
Gaastra) entered the Formula Windsurfing Grand Prix Portimao as favourite.
He confirmed his ambitions to be the best Formula Windsurfing racer in the
World and won impressive 8 of the 13 races. He dominated the event with a
total of 12,00 points and rightfully achieves the first place in the
regatta.

Gonzalo Costa Hoevel (ARG-3, F2, Neil Pryde) was a little bit unlucky as he
had to retire from two races due to equipment failure. But in the middle of
the regatta he managed to raise the pressure on the leader Steve Allen with
victories in four races. In the end he achieves a clear second place with a
total of 20,00 points.

Fabio Melo (BRA-74, Starboard, Gaastra) was the big surprise of the event.
The young hotshot from Brasil was able to achieve his first podium finish at
an international Formula Windsurfing event. Out of nowhere Fabio Melo put
himself on the third place with 28,00 points due to his solid performance.

Alberto Menegatti (ITA-456, F2, North Sails) was the best European in the
Formula Windsurfing Grand Prix. With a total of 42,00 points he managed to
defend the fourth place against the second strong rider from Brasil, Wilhelm
Schurmann (BRA-999, Starboard, Neil Pryde) who follows on his heals with
48,00 points. At the same time Schurmann is the best racers in the FW
Lightweight category (under 75kg).

Hubert Mokrzycki (POL-25, Starboard, Gaastra, 51,00 points) from Poland
missed the top-5 only by five points. His landmate Michal Polanowski
(POL-16, Starboard, Gaastra) follows on his heals with 65,00 points. Denis
Little (NED-13, F2, Maui Sails) had problems in the beginning of the regatta
but he got better and better to crown his performance with a victory in the
final race and an eighth place with 69,00 points. Janis Preiss (LAT-23, F2,
North Sails) wasn¹t consistant enough to finish further in the front but
with 88,00 points he wins the ninth place in front of the Portuguese local
Miguel Martinho (POR-5, Starboard, Neil Pryde).

In the Master category Martin Ervin (EST-202, Starboard, Neil Pryde) from
Estonia is able to win in front of Andy Abendroth (GER-66, Starboard,
LoftSails) from Germany and Ryszard Pikul (POL-40, Starboard, Gaastra) from
Poland. In the women fleet the new European Champion Agnieska Pietrasik
(POL-19, Starboard, Naish Sails) from Poland dominated over her landmate
Jozefina Ruzinska (POL-1381, Starboard, Naish Sails).

Portimao has presented five days of incredible spectacular Formula action.
With the tremendous conditions on the water and the excellent infrastructure
and organization on the beach the venue in Alvor beach has left an memorable
impression among the competitors and representatives of the Formula
Windsurfing Class. This will be the perfect base to install Portimao as a
fixed date on the Windsurfing competition calendar and opens the door for
major class Championships.

 
++++++++++
 
The official website of the series with more information is
www.euro-cup.org. The events are also covered on www.formulawindsurfing.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!