ISWC Speed Championship, Karpathos – Latest

What a day ! 3 complete rounds with two fleets today, with a new seasons top speed set by Antoine Albeau (FRA, Starboard)with 43.68 knots. He is leading the the competition now as well as Valerie Ghibaudo (FRA, Loft Sails) in the womens fleet.

The skippersmeeting was set to 9:00 as the forecast was promising strong wind early, and the wind was strong. The gold fleet hit the water sharp at 9:30, and everybody was doing 40s easily from the very beginning. Antoine and Bjorn Dunkerbeck (SUI, Proof, North) were both pushin for higher and higher speeds. Cyril Moussilmani (FRA, Fanatic, North) in third and Finian Maynard (BVI) in fourth.

After a short break, the Silver fleet was sent out, and it was a hard time for the mainly amateur sailors. In winds of up to 9 Beaufort almost all of them had problems to go up to the starting zone. With the top 7 sailors advancing to the next gold fleet race then the next round was started half an hour later, with again Antoine Albeau in first and Bjorn Dunkerbeck in second. Third this time Finian Maynard (BVI), and Chris Lockwood (AUS, Carbon Art, KA Sails) in fourth.

After a longer lunch break, the day went into the fourth round for the first discard of the competition, and this time it was Bjorn Dunkerbeck who was faster than anybody else. Albeau this time only in second, and Moussilmani in third.

All womens races were clearly dominated by Valerie Ghibaudo, with four bullets and a perfect score she is clear ahead of Anja Kruse (GER, F2, North) and Elke Schill (GER, F2, North).

Racing continues tomorrow at 9:00 with the first skippersmeeting.

Full results can be found at www.speedworldcup.com