The UK’s Zara Davis, courtesy of ISA
ISA Speesurfing Grand Prix Fuerteventura 2007 – Day 7
04.08.2007
After waiting for wind the whole day, we saw probably the most thrilling race in speed windsurfing ever in the late evening. The race committee was watching the course for hours, and half an hour before the last possible start they gave it a try. The angle was almost perfect with 120 degree and the wind at a solid 23 knots average, gusting 27. Flat water made the riders flying down the course with 35-26 knots in the beginning, and after one hour of racing we saw the first 39.5 knots on the board. Unfortunately ths had to be corrected down to app. 38 knots in the end, but the lead changed with almost every run at that time. A little bit ahead in the end was Jose Bahadour (GOU, Fanatic) with 37.92 knots, but places 2-7 are in 0.2 knots distance ! Places 4 and 5 are on the same average speed, so the higher top speed had to decide for the places. Even closer it is from places 12-14, variing only by 0.03 knots!
David Garrel (FRA, F2, North) scored his best result in a worldcup competition with a second place and Finian Maynard (BVI, F2) defended the overall lead with a solid third place. Both Patrik Diethelm (ITA, F2, North) and Bjorn Dunkerbeck (SUI, T1, North) lost points for the overall ranking, finishing 7th and 8th, while Antoine Albeau (FRA) could make some places up.
In the ladies fleet it was even closer between Karin Jaggi (SUI, F2, North) and Valerie Ghibaudo (FRA, Loft Sails) who were on the same average speed and the winner could only be determined after extensive video checking. Zara Davis (GBR) became third again in front of Sarah Hebert (ARM) setting a new national record.
The forecast for the last day of the event is not looking very good, but the thermal effect could give us enough for a final race on the final day.
Overall standings after 4 legs:
Men
1. Finian Maynard (BVI, F2)
2. Patrik Diethelm (ITA, F2, North)
3. Jose Bahadour (GOU, Fanatic)
4. Antoine Albeau (FRA)
5. Bjorn Dunkerbeck (SUI, T1, North)
Women
1. Karin Jaggi (SUI, F2, North)
2. Valerie Ghibaudo (FRA, Loft Sails)
3. Zara Davis (GBR)
Full results and pictures are available at www.speedsurfing.org