SYLT, PWA GRAND SLAM – DAY 2

Less challenging conditions than yesterday

Monday September 23, 2002
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The day started with glorious sunshine, and light northeasterly breeze.
Most likely a racing day. Many competitors busied themselves with
essential repairs after yesterday s heavy conditions took their toll on
the Formula equipment. By 11am the wind was reasonably consistent at 14 to
17 knots side to side-offshore and with considerably smoother water
conditions than yesterday racing was the call. The women s fleet was first
away with their 2nd race.

RACE 2 WOMEN
A clean start for the full women s fleet in now breezy, but less
challenging conditions than yesterday.
Dorota Staszewska (Starboard/Neil Pryde) was first to the windward mark
and sailed a faultless race to win cleanly ahead of Great Britain s
Christine Johnston (Starboard/Neil Pryde) and France s Jenny Le Bihan
(Bic/Neil Pryde). Yesterday s victor Lucy Horwood logged a disappointing
4th in the lighter conditions.

RACE 3 WOMEN
Dorota once again played the shifts and cruised to victory ahead of an
improving Lucy Horwood, Christine Johnston and Jenny Le Bihan. By now the
wind had freshened further and the women were all on their smallest rigs,
which for most was still 9.0m2!

RACE 4- WOMEN
Race 4 was almost a complete reflection of race 3 with Dorota, Lucy and
Christine heading the pack followed by Geraldine Jambert (Starboard)
posting her best result since showing early promise in yesterdays survival
conditions.

RACE 5- WOMEN
Once again a flying Dorota Staszewska sailed an immaculate race and led
from start to finish leaving fellow British sailors to fight it out for
second position. This time it was Christine Johnston getting the second
spot ahead of a fading Lucy Horwood. France s Geraldine Jambert repeated
her 4th place from the previous race.

After 5 races the women s standings are: –

1st DOROTA STASZEWSKA (STARBOARD/NEIL PRYDE) 2.8pts
2nd LUCY HORWOOD (AHD/GAASTRA) 7.7pts
3rd CHRISTINE JOHNSTON (STARBOARD/NEIL PRYDE) 9.0pts

DOROTA STASZEWSKA
I am really pleased with my performance today. I could not have sailed
better and my equipment was working great. I really enjoyed the racing as
it was much easier than yesterday!

With four firsts today Dorota has established a strong lead, her only
minor disappointment was disqualification from yesterdays race 1 for a
premature start. The two British girls will have to fight hard to
challenge for the top spot!

RACE 3 MEN
Triumph for the captain! PWA chairman Phil McGain (Gaastra) could not
contain his joy, and was beaming from ear to ear after romping home to
victory in today s first race. Probably the most experienced racer in the
fleet Phil reveled in the shifty tactical conditions and cruised home
ahead of Australian Steve Allen (Fanatic) and Kevin Pritchard (Bic/ Gaastra).

PHIL McGAIN
I was really comfortable on my 11.0m2, it was much easier sea conditions
than yesterday even though the wind was pushing over 20 knots. That was
great, I can t wait to go again!

RACE 4 MEN
This time it was the current PWA racing leader and number 1 seed coming
into this event, Australian Steve Allen (Fanatic) to make the best of the
shifty conditions and take the top spot. Antoine Albeau (AHD/NEIL PRYDE)
pushed hard for second place ahead of countryman Patrice Belbeoc h (NEIL
PRYDE) logging his best result to date. Two other sailors post their best
results to date in 4th and 5th respectively were British Virgin Islander
Devon Boulon (MISTRAL/NORTH) and Polish Michael Polanowski (STARBOARD).

RACE 5 MEN
Probably Antoine Albeau showing complete control when the going gets tough
once again dominated the windiest race of the day. With his worst result
to date being his 5th in race 3 Antoine is starting to build a convincing
lead. Kevin Pritchard started to find form posting 2nd and Argentinean
Costa Hoeval Gonzalo (STARBOARD/NEIL PRYDE) showed great promise and was
first to the windward mark and finished third.

RACE 6 MEN
The last race of the day saw a stylish performance give Wojtek Brzozowski
top spot ahead of Israel s Arnon Dagan (Fanatic) who has show great speed
but lacked consistency. Continuing his strong performance Antoine Albeau
strengthened his overall lead.

WOJTEK BRZOZOWSKI
It has been a hard day but I managed two good races and two bad, I
actually preferred yesterdays strong conditions and I was totally
comfortable on my 11.0m2.

The men s division is now headed by Antoine but with only 13 points
separating the next 5 places there is everything to play for. The forecast
almost guarantees another batch of strong wind races and great promise of
waves later in the week; the large crowds gathered on the beach will be
kept enthralled

Men s Standings (subject to protest)
1st Antoine Albeau (AHD/Neil Pryde) 7.1pts
2nd Phil McGain (Gaastra) 21.7pts
3rd Steve Allen (Fanatic) 21.7pts
4th Kevin Pritchard (Bic/Gaastra) 22pts
5th Wojtek Brzozowski (Starboard/Neil Pryde) 25.7pts